FROM INVALIDATING LINEAGE-BASED PRIDE TO CONSTRUCTING A DOCTRINE OF UNITY: A STRATEGIC RE-READING OF THE VERSE OF DIGNITY (HUJURAT: 13) IN THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE OF AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Graduated from the Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2
Postdoctoral researcher in Quran and Hadith sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (researcher at the Astan Quds Razavi Research Foundation), contact number: 09142353876, reza.mollazadehyamchi@alumni.um.ac.ir
10.22034/saas.2025.530797.1125
Abstract
This article analyzes the process of the "strategic re-reading" of Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, within the political discourse of Ayatollah Khamenei. It demonstrates how a Quranic principle, which serves to nullify prides of lineage, is transformed into a political-security doctrine for confronting the identity challenges of the contemporary world. While the Islamic Ummah is facing a paradigmatic tension between divisive nationalist identities and the schismatic strategies of global hegemonic powers (the Arrogance), this research employs qualitative content analysis on a collection of authoritative commentaries and his statements to explain this conceptual transition. The findings indicate that, in this discourse, the Verse of Dignity, while retaining its classical function, becomes an instrument for diagnosing "modern ignorance" (Jahiliyyah), and "Taqwa" (piety/God-consciousness) is redefined as the foundation of "revolutionary dignity" and the criterion for competence in governance. Accordingly, the Quranic concepts of "Habl Allah" (the Rope of God) and "Ummah Wahida" (One Nation) form the basis for constructing a "Doctrine of Resistant Unity." Ultimately, this research argues that through this re-reading, the Verse of Dignity transcends being a mere value-based principle and evolves into an identity-constructing, action-oriented doctrine that simultaneously negates secessionist identities and establishes the alternative identity of a "Resistant United Ummah" in the face of global hegemony.
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