Analyzing the Views of Shiite and Sunni Exegetes regarding the Relationship between Honor and Favor (with emphasis on verse seventy of the al-Isrāʾ Chapter)

Abstract

Based on verses of the Holy Quran, a human being is the most noble of creations. On one hand, he has the potential to ascend to the proximity of God and on the other hand, is capable of falling to the lowest level. Honor and favor have been mentioned consecutively in verse seventy of the al-Isrāʾ Chapter. Divine Majesty has bestowed honor upon human beings so that they are in a superior position. Now what is the relationship between honoring and favoring that the Quran has addressed? The conformity of the views of Shiite and Sunni exegetes in attaining the answer to this question is important. The goal of this study is to find the most effective factor in attracting divine honoring and the realization of human superiority because this factor can identify the relationship between honor and favor. The present article has studied this topic comparatively using the descriptive-analytic method and library resources. The results of this study show that divine honoring is in two forms, general and special divine blessings that human beings possess. However, his position of favor and superiority over other creations is meaningful with God-wariness and servitude; otherwise, not only are human beings not superior, they are misguided.

Keywords

• : honoring
• favoring
• excellence
• human dignity