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The Ontological Clarification of Tafakkur-e 'Ibādi (Devotional Contemplation) in the Thought of Shahid Motahhari: Based on Allameh Tabataba’i’s Theory of I’tibāriyāt (Intellectual Constructs)
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Zahra Omidi   , Mehdi Ahmadi , Mohammad Mehdi Ajilian Mafogh1 , Saeed Rahimian |
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Abstract: (8 Views) |
| Tafakkur-e 'Ibādi (Devotional Contemplation) is a concept derived from scriptural traditions, comprising the dual elements of tafakkur (contemplation) and 'ibadāh (worship). As a uniquely human characteristic and a primary cognitive faculty, contemplation has been emphasized extensively in both the Qur’an and Hadith. Similarly, worship is identified in the Qur’an as the ultimate purpose of creation. Numerous traditions regard contemplation as the highest form of worship, even characterizing it as the devotion of the “sincere ones” (mukhlaṣin). While commentators have offered diverse interpretations of the essence of tafakkur-e 'ibādi, existing perspectives remain fragmented. Although these views can be categorized into four dimensions—the object, the agent, the outcome, and the process of contemplation—they fail to provide a transparently unified definition of its nature. This article addresses a critical question: independent of the descriptive definitions provided by commentators, what is the functional form and quality of tafakkur-e 'ibādi in practical application? Answering this question requires an ontological investigation, which is essential for structuring meaningful devotional programs. Most traditional interpretations treat contemplation merely as the output of the theoretical intellect (al-'aql al-naẓari). However, in the works of Shahid Motahhari, while acknowledging previous views, there is a precise elucidation of tafakkur-e 'ibādi that emphasizes the significance of the practical intellect (al-'aql al-'amali) in deriving solutions to complex problems and tribulations. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical and documentary method, and framed within Allameh Tabataba’i’s “Theory of Intellectual Constructs” (I’tibāriyāt), this study argues that tafakkur-e 'ibadi is manifested through the mechanism of Ijtihād (independent legal reasoning)—a concept central to the “secret of finality” (sirr al-khātimiyyah) and a form of worship unique to Islam. The distinctive contribution of Shahid Motahhari lies in his specific view of the practical intellect as a deliberative faculty capable of perceiving universals through the lens of “bodily management/governance” (tadbir al-badan). By engaging with Allameh Tabataba’i’s theory, Motahhari expands the functional scope of the theory of intellectual constructs through his unique interpretation. |
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| Keywords: Allameh Tabataba’i, Shahid Motahhari, Tafakkur-e 'Ibādi (Devotional Contemplation), Theoretical Intellect, Practical Intellect, Theory of Intellectual Constructs, Ijtihād. |
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Full-Text [PDF 403 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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