Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

A Comparative Study of the Views of Allameh Tabataba'i and Hassan Hanafi on Examples of Social Justice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 .Master's degree, Faculty of Theology and Religions, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology and Religions, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Theology, Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Religions, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Social justice is considered one of the fundamental concepts in Islamic thought. This article seeks to answer the question of what types of examples of social justice are there in Islamic societies from the perspective of Allamah Tabataba'i and Hassan Hanafi? Hassan Hanafi, as one of the prominent thinkers of the Arab world, has emphasized the need for rethinking to resolve the social problems of coSocial justice is a fundamental concept in Islamic thought. This article aims to answer the question of what forms social justice takes in Islamic societies according to Allameh Tabataba'i and Hassan Hanafi. Hassan Hanafi, a prominent Arab thinker, emphasizes the need for rethinking to address the social problems of modern humanity. He has consistently strived to provide solutions towards achieving social justice by offering a new interpretation and modernization of Islamic teachings. This paper will examine the views of these two thinkers on the manifestations of social justice, highlighting areas of agreement and disagreement. The research suggests that both thinkers believe social justice is a vital cornerstone for a functioning society, without which progress and order are impossible. Tabataba'i seeks social justice within the framework of Islamic law, while Hanafi pursues it with a modern approach, emphasizing the role of humanity. Judicial justice, justice in the enjoyment of social rights, economic justice, family justice, justice in the distribution of wealth, and institutionalizing individual freedoms are among the most important manifestations of social justice according to both thinkers.ntemporary man. In this field, he has always tried to provide a new interpretation of Islamic teachings and modernize them to find solutions on the path to achieving social justice. This article attempts to examine the views of these two thinkers on the subject of examples of social justice, while also addressing the common and different aspects of their views. This research indicates that both thinkers believe in social justice as a fundamental and vital pillar for society, without which progress and order for society will not be possible. Tabataba'i seeks social justice within the framework of Islamic law, and on the other hand, Hassan Hanafi pursues it with a modern approach and highlighting the role of man. Judicial justice, justice in enjoying social rights, economic justice, family justice, justice in the distribution of wealth, and institutionalization of individual freedoms are among the most important examples of social justice from the perspective of the two thinkers.
Keywords
Subjects

1.        Aghajani, N. (2010). Islamic Heritage in the Grip of Modernism: A Critique of Hassan Hanafi’s Approach to Reconstructing Islamic Heritage. Journal of Kalami Knowledge, (3), 63–90.
2.        Abu al-Khair, A. (2011). The Revolution of Creed and the Philosophy of Reason. Beirut, Lebanon: Al-Hadharah Center for the Development of Islamic Thought.
3.        Javadi Amoli, A. (1401 A.H). Shams al-Wahy Tabrizi (The Scholarly Biography of Allameh Tabatabaei). Qom: Esra Publishing Center.
4.        Hanafi, H. (1981 A.H). Religion and Revolution in Egypt: Religion and National Struggle (Vol. 3). Cairo: Madbouly Library.
5.        Hanafi, H. (1987). Philosophical Studies. Cairo: Anglo-Egyptian Library.
6.        Hanafi, H. (1988). From Creed to Revolution (Vols. 1, 3, 4). Cairo: Hindawi Foundation.
7.        Hanafi, H. (1992). Heritage and Renewal (Our Position toward Ancient Heritage). Beirut: The University Institute for Studies, Publishing and Distribution.
8.        Hanafi, H. (1996). The Right and the Left in Religious Thought. Damascus: Dar Alaa al-Din Publications.
9.        Hanafi, H. (2010). Revelation and Reality. Damascus: Hindawi Foundation.
10.   Hanafi, H., & Khalaji, A. (1996). The Historicity of Theological Knowledge. Quarterly Journal of Naqd va Nazar, 9, 37–57.
11.   Shams, M. A. (2005). With Allameh in al-Mizan (Vol. 1). Qom: Osveh Publications.
12.   Sadr al-Muta’allihin, M. (2003). The Four Intellectual Journeys (Vol. 3). Qom: Dar Ihya al-Turath.
13.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (1995). Al-Mizan Exegesis of the Qur’an (Vols. 2, 5, 9, 16). Translated by S. M. B. Mousavi Hamedani. Qom: Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, Islamic Publications Office.
14.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (2008). Shi‘a: Collected Dialogues with Henry Corbin. Compiled by Hadi Khosrowshahi. Qom: Islamic Propagation Office Publications.
15.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (2009). Islamic Studies (Vol. 2). Qom: Islamic Propagation Office Publications.
16.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (2009). The Qur’an in Islam. Qom: Islamic Propagation Office Publications.
17.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (2011). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an (Vol. 5). Beirut: Al-‘Alami Foundation for Publications.
18.   Tabatabaei, S. M. H. (1401 A.H). The Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism (Vol. 2). Tehran: Sadra Publications.
19.   Qotb, I. H. (2000). Social Justice in Islam. Translated by Khosrowshahi & Gerami. Tehran: Kolbeh Shorouq.
20.   Mashayekhi, A., & Daneshvar, S. A. (2025). Explaining the Model of the Islamic Cosmopolitan City in the Thought of Seyyed Jamal al-Din Asadabadi. Biannual Journal of Islamic Studies and Qur’anic Research in the Contemporary World, 4(1), 1–20.
21.   Motahhari, M. (2011). Collected Works of Martyr Motahhari (Vol. 3). Tehran: Sadra Publications.
 
 
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
February 2026
Pages 67-104

  • Receive Date 16 January 2025
  • Revise Date 17 April 2025
  • Accept Date 22 April 2025
  • First Publish Date 20 May 2025
  • Publish Date 21 January 2026