Today’s world, which in the opinion of prominent scholars of future studies, is preparing to enter the paradigm of spirituality, lost one of its most noble spiritual role models, who was the full manifestation of selfless service to society. Service and benevolence have been and are respected in all religions and this is what Dr. John Boyer Noss, in his book “Man’s Religions” refers to as the golden rule of all divine and non-divine religions and praises it.1

The school of Islam not only accepts this golden rule of serving society, but it also has certain lofty values that are very important and need to be pondered upon. There are several Qur’anic verses as well as hadiths about the principle of accepting this rule which say: “‘If you do good, you will do good to your [own] souls…”2 “When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it…;3 “For the love of Him (God), they feed the needy, the orphan and the prisoner.”1; and “…prefer (the Immigrants) to themselves, though poverty may afflict them…”4

In addition to the luminous verses of the Holy Qur’an, many traditions from the Ahl al-Bayt of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) also confirm this golden rule of religions. For instance, one of the most beautiful statements in this regard is Imam Ali’s (AS) letter to his son Imam Hasan (AS)5.

The purpose of this short note is to point out that the themes of the divine words were truly embodied in the personality of the great Ayatollah Ibrahim Raisi, who can be an exemplar and role model for all managers and those who intend to sincerely serve their people.

• Staying away from pride and arrogance, living a simple life, and considering yourself the only servant of God.6

• Serving the society not for the sake of name, but to obtain the divine approval and pleasure of God Almighty.7

• - Serving the society and human beings, but with the belief that the more unknown one is, the more valuable would be his services.

• - Believing that to help others, not only in case of wealth and need but also when one is not wealthy.8

• - Believing that in order to do good and serve the people, one should make people feel obliged.9

The honorable President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Martyr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, truly spent his life on the path of realizing these values and carved his name in history, especially in the era of global spirituality.

May his soul rest in peace, and may many people follow his path.

The Role Model of Service in the Era of the Discourse of Global Spirituality

By: Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Associate Professor and Head of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Tehran University

No. 290 | Jun 2024

Endnotes

1 1. Surah Al- Isra’, Verse 7

2. Surah Al- Nisa’, Verse 86

3. Surah Al- Insan, Verse 8

4. Surah Al- Hashr, Verse 9

5. Nahj a-Balaghah, Letter No. 31

6. See Surah Al- Baqarah, Verse 112

7. See Surah Al- Baqarah, Verse 77

8. See Surah Al- Insan, Verse 8

9. See Surah Al- Baqarah, Verse 264