Analyzing the User-Centric Information Ethics Model in Imami Narrative Exegesis: A Case Study of Surah Al-Isra, Verse 36

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

3 **** Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

In an era marked by "information disorders" and the difficulty of discerning truth in the digital ecosystem, revisiting religious texts with a practical and analytical approach to extract normative models has become essential. This study explores the semantic implications of Surah Al-Isra, Verse 36, within the framework of Imami (Shi‘a) narrative exegesis, aiming to derive a strategic model of "User-Centric Information Ethics." The research employs a qualitative method based on inductive content analysis, using a textual corpus of all relevant exegetical narrations (hadiths) related to the verse, sourced from four seminal tafsir works: Tafsir al-Qummi, Tafsir al-Ayyashi, Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, and Tafsir al-Burhan, selected via purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using a three-stage coding process to identify the semantic network and core themes. The findings reveal that within the exegetical paradigm of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), the central term "Qafw" (pursuit) expands from verbal responsibility (e.g., slander) to media consumption responsibility. The responsibility of perceptual faculties—particularly hearing and sight—functions as a mechanism of "Personal Gatekeeping," requiring users to engage in proactive filtering of information. Additionally, the responsibility of the "Fu'ad" (heart/ intellect) is closely tied to the concept of "Wilayah" (Guardianship), serving as an "Epistemic Anchor" for distinguishing truth from falsehood. Based on these findings, the study proposes an information ethics model grounded in three strategic principles including "Information Hygiene," "Verification," and" Wilayah-Based Authority Assessment." This model illustrates that media literacy in Shi‘a teachings is not merely technical but is rooted in epistemic foundations and "Moral Agency" in managing cognitive inputs.

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References

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Biannual Journal of research in the interpretation of Quran
Volume 12, Issue 23
August 2025
Pages 251-282

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 05 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 07 December 2025

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