Namāz-e Jamā’at (Collective Prayer) and the Soft Power of Islamic Society

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to explain social and political functions f Namāz-e Jamā’at (Collective Prayer) with emphasis on the idea of soft power. In this regard a descriptive-analytical method was used to determine the concept of soft power and its components as well as social and political functions of Namāz-e Jamā’at with regard to the components of soft power and the role of Namāz-e Jamā’at in expanding the soft power of Islamic society. The results indicated that considering the conditions regarded for Namāz-e Jamā’at in Islam, it has an outstanding effect in fostering at least four components of the soft power: expanding the political value of justice, promoting social integrity and decreasing conflicts, improving social trust, and increasing religious knowledge and insight.

Keywords

• soft power
• namāz-e jamā’at (collective prayer)
• justice
• social integrity
• social trust