Exploration of the Qur’anic Foundations of Intrinsic Human Dignity and its Reflection in the Conduct and Teachings of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Shirazi, Seyyed Reza

doi:10.22034/mishkat.2026.571497.2773

Exploration of the Qur’anic Foundations of Intrinsic Human Dignity and its Reflection in the Conduct and Teachings of Imam Reza (A.S.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Seyyed Reza Shirazi

, Assistant Professor, Razavi Institute for Islamic Sciences

10.22034/mishkat.2026.571497.2773

Abstract

The debate over whether innate human dignity is compatible with sacred scriptures remains one of the major challenges in contemporary human rights discourse. Although scholars of various religious traditions claim to uphold human dignity, the presence of doctrines such as original sin or ethnic exclusivism within their sacred texts stands in tension with the universality of dignity. Employing a descriptive‑analytical method and a critical approach, this study investigates these tensions across religious traditions and elucidates the foundations of human dignity within Islamic thought and the conduct of Imam Reza (A.S.). The findings indicate that, in contrast to discriminatory views found in certain distorted religious texts, the Qur’an along with Imami exegetes recognizes innate dignity as a universal right granted to all human beings.The objective reflection of this foundation in the conduct of Imam Reza (AS) presents a transcendent model of dignified coexistence, irrespective of race or belief, through respect for intellectual opponents and the underprivileged.

Keywords

human dignity, human rights, innate dignity, Qur&‌‌rsquo

an 17:70, Razavi conduct, Imam Reza (A.S.)

Subjects