A Comparative Analysis of the Social Concept of "Goodness" in the Interpretations of the Two Sects with Emphasis on the Quranic Prayer "Our Lord, Grant Us Goodness in this World"

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Allameh Askari International University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The concept of ḥasanah is one of the Qur’an’s fundamental and multidimensional notions. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the religious perspective on both worldly life and the Hereafter, particularly in the Qur’anic supplication “Rabbana ātinā fī al-dunyā ḥasanah” (Our Lord, grant us good in this world). This study conducts a comparative analysis of exegetical interpretations of this term by examining five selected commentaries from both Islamic traditions, encompassing rational, ijtihādī, narrative, literary, and transmitted approaches. The novelty of this research lies in its use of a systematic comparative framework for analyzing ḥasanah, with special emphasis on the view of Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī, who interprets it as the manifestation of divine pleasure (riḍwān Allāh). This interpretation establishes a cognitive linkage between the worldly and eschatological dimensions of the concept. Furthermore, by elucidating the social implications of ḥasanah, the study demonstrates that a profound understanding of this term within Qur’anic discourse can enhance social ethics, strengthen collective hope, and redefine religious responsibility in individual and communal interactions. The findings indicate that exegetes’ approaches to the meaning of ḥasanah are significantly connected to their epistemological foundations and interpretive methodologies, with each approach highlighting a distinct layer of the term’s semantic potential.

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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 45-82

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 03 January 2026

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