Gratitude in The Qurʾān A Review From a Conceptual Theological and Psychosocial Perspective
One of the most crucial ways of understanding the Qurʾān and conveying its messages to its interlocutors is through concept and subject studies. This method, also called Thematic Tafsīr, which is still valid today, offers a holistic perspective on the Qurʾān. In the context of our study, the concept of manna in the Qurʾān and the subject of gratitude in relation to this concept will be discussed. Gratitude is a profound moral and emotional phenomenon that shapes the human being’s relationship with both himself and his environment. From the perspective of Islam, gratitude is one of the cornerstones of human virtues and the consciousness of servitude to God. This book aims to examine the subject of gratitude in the Qurʾān in detail and to understand its divine, individual and social dimensions. It discusses how gratitude is treated in the Qur’anic verses, its place in human moral and spiritual development, and the value Allāh places on gratitude. Gratitude is a fundamental issue to be addressed because of its positive psychosocial consequences. Spiritual and religious issues that nurture gratitude are important not only in terms of fields such as tafsir and hadith, but also in terms of disciplines such as psychology and sociology. Therefore, we believe that this research can make valuable contributions to experts in the field of Tafsīr who study gratitude, psychologists and researchers who care about gratitude. The target audience of this book is researchers, students and general readers interested in the field of Islamic theology, Tafsīr, moral philosophy and social sciences. It is also a guiding work for those who want to better understand some moral and spiritual concepts in the Qurʾān. Throughout the book, analyses based on the original Arabic texts of the Qurʾān are supported by classical and modern exegesis in the literature. Our study consists of three parts: In the first part, the analysis and semantic analysis of the word manna and other concepts that make up the meaning map of this word; in the second part; Allāh’s blessing to human beings, the material and spiritual manifestations of this blessing, and man’s gratitude and favors to man; in the third part, the subject will be concluded with the titles of gratitude in psychosocial terms, positive psychology and gratitude, examples of practices related to gratitude, psychosocial consequences of gratitude and conscious gratitude practices, and in the general conclusion section, the results we have obtained in our research will be included.
Keywords: Tafsīr; Concept of menn; Gratitude; Blessing; Gratitude; Well-being; Happiness