History of Islamic Philosophy

History of Islamic Philosophy

A Critical Rereading of the Qur'an in Emerging Spiritualities in Light of the Principles of Allamah Tabatabai

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Quran and Hadith Sciences, Al Taha. Tehran. Iran
Abstract
The present study aims to provide a systematic critique of the book” The Magic of Gratitude” based on the threefold criteria of Shari'a (Divine Law), intellect ('aql), and guardianship (wilāya) according to Allamah Tabatabai. Employing a critical analysis method, this research was conducted in two stages: first, the text of “The Magic of Gratitude” was categorized according to the three axes of Shari'a, intellect, and guardianship; then, each semantic unit was critically analyzed based on Allamah Tabatabai's principles.

The novelty of this research lies in presenting a three-dimensional analytical model that critiques emerging spiritualities in light of Allamah Tabatabai's views, reveals the mechanisms of secularization of religious concepts within self-development discourse, and explicates the relationship between authentic Islamic mysticism ('irfān) and positive psychology.

The findings indicate that the examined book deviates in all three criteria:

- It reduces Shari'a to "positive feeling" and adopts a lax perspective, considering the abandonment of obligations or commission of prohibitions as no barrier to attracting wealth.

- It presents the law of "whatever you believe, you will receive" without any rational or traditional evidence.

- It directs gratitude not toward God but toward "the universe" or "cosmic frequency," thereby eliminating the principle of divine guardianship (wilāya).

The overall conclusion is that the concept of gratitude depicted in this work, from Allamah Tabatabai's perspective, not only fails to represent true gratitude but also constitutes an instance of "hidden polytheism" (shirk khafī) and "clear misguidance" (ḍalāl mubīn).
Keywords
Subjects

Carrette, J. R., & King, R. (2005). Selling spirituality: The silent takeover of religion. Routledge.
Wood head, Linda.(2005). The Spiritual Revolution: Why Religion is Giving Way to Spirituality. Wiley/Blackwell.
Hutson, M. (2012). The laws of magical thinking: How irrational beliefs keep us happy, healthy, and sane. 
The Holy Quran.
Akbarian, R. (1403/ 2024). Sharḥ-i Risāla fī al-Wilāya [Commentary on the Treatise on Wilayah]. Tehran: Institute for the History of Islamic Wisdom and Philosophy.
Berger, P. L. (1402/ 2023). Sāyabān-i Muqaddas [The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion]. (A. Morshedi, Trans.). Tehran: Sales (Thaleth) Publishers.
Byrne, R. (2012). Mu‘jiza-yi Shukrguzārī [The Miracle of Gratitude; original title: The Magic]. (F. Habibi, Trans.). Tehran: Ariyana Publishers.
Carrette, J. R., & King, R. (2005). Selling spirituality: The silent takeover of religion. Routledge.
Hasanzadeh Amoli, H. (1390/2011). Wilāyat va Shukr az Manẓar-i ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī [Wilayah and Gratitude from the Perspective of Allameh Tabatabai]. Wisdom and Philosophy (Scientific-Research Quarterly), 2(6), 95–142.
Hutson, M. (2012). The laws of magical thinking: How irrational beliefs keep us happy, healthy, and sane.
Ṭabāṭabā’ī, S. M. H. (1417 AH/ 1996–1997). Tafsīr al-Mīzān [Al-Mizan Exegesis]. (S. M. B. Mousavi Hamedani, Trans.). Qom: Islamic Publications Office.
Ṭabāṭabā’ī, S. M. H. (1409 AH/ 1988–1989). Risāla al-Tawḥīd [Treatise on Monotheism]. Qom: Islamic Publications Office.
Ṭabāṭabā’ī, S. M. H. (1399/ 2020). Risāla al-Wilāya [Treatise on Wilayah]. (Intro. by H. Hasanzadeh Amoli). Qom: Bustan-e Ketab Publishers.
Kulaynī, M. b. Y. (1385/2006–2007). Al-Kāfī [The Sufficient Book]. (S. Hasanzadeh, Trans.). Tehran: Qa'im Al-e Muhammad. (Original work published 329 AH).
Wood head, Linda.(2005). The Spiritual Revolution: Why Religion is Giving Way to Spirituality. Wiley/Blackwell.
 
Volume 5, Issue 19
Autumn 2026
Pages 55-77

  • Receive Date 22 September 2025
  • Revise Date 01 October 2025
  • Accept Date 02 October 2025