Origin of the social classes and the Holy Quran
Subject Areas :
1 - Tehran University
Keywords: Quran social classes class differences sociology Unified Ummah Origin of classes ,
Abstract :
Objective: Origin of social classes and Quran is an issue which has been subject to sociology studies from one hand and its exploration in Quran on the other hand. This study which is an analytical survey of two scientific approaches of Quranic and social classifications regarding the origin of social classes is an interdisciplinary study. Method: having reviewed and explored the literature of social classifications regarding the formation of social classes and Quranic verses and views of Quran scholars and interpreters, this article has analyzed findings with biblical and comparative approach to shed light on the roots and causes of formation of social classes. Results:This survey reveals that external conditions such as social and economic conditions have had key roles in forming up tendencies and inclinations, and although economic factor hasn’t been the root cause of formation of social classes, the economic factor has been among the key elements of formation of social classes. Also studying Quranic verses and views of Quran scholars and interpreters reveals that despite the findings and views of several sociologists who have rejected the theory of society with no social class, there was an era in the history of mankind in which no social class was identifiable, as Quranic term of unified ummah in verse 213 of Surah Cow refers to it.The study also shows that the cause of formation of social classes is not just confined to social and economic situations, but rather many immaterial factors such as tendencies , inclination and individual features , beliefs as well as set of values have formed up social classes throughout the history. Conclusion: There has been an era in social history of mankind in which human beings enjoyed a No-class society, free from disputes and arguments common to sociology circles, which can be called “unified Ummah” . Outbreak of discrepancies, and subsequently formation of social classes have roots in man’s nature and tendencies. Although the role of external factors can not be ignored, but internal factors have been the root cause of formation of social classes in the societies.
