The Role of the Governance of Will in Resolving Social Challenges Based on the Holy Quran

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Mohammad Esmaeil Abdollahi, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Email: m.e.abdollahi@ut.ac.ir

Abstract

Statement of the Problem:
Volition (Will) constitutes a paramount Quranic concept pertinent to social transformation, intertwining individual and collective dimensions while elucidating the human-divine relationship within the framework of freedom and responsibility. Amidst contemporary challenges such as poverty, corruption, and identity crises, there is an imperative need for a Quranic paradigm that delineates the orientation of the human will toward social reform and sustainable development.
Objective:
This research aims to elucidate the role of individual and collective will in actualizing good governance and resolving social tribulations, predicated on Quranic teachings and the perspectives of contemporary Islamic scholars. Furthermore, it seeks to propose a methodological vision for operationalizing the concept of the “governance of will” within the socio-political sphere.
Methodology:
The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology with a qualitative approach, utilizing inductive reasoning and thematic exegesis  of Quranic verses associated with the concepts of resolve, endeavor (Himmah), and intention (Qasd). The textual analysis is conducted based on linguistic and rhetorical semantics, drawing upon the insights of prominent Muslim exegetes and philosophers—such as Sayyid Qutb, Allamah Tabatabai, Abdolkarim Soroush, and Mohammed Abed al-Jabri—to construct a comprehensive framework regarding the Quranic concept of will.
Results:
The findings indicate that the concept of will in the Holy Quran constitutes an integrated value system encompassing resolve, reliance on God (Tawakkul), patience (Sabr), and collective action. Within this system, Divine Will interacts with human free will under the aegis of moral responsibility. Moreover, the study demonstrates that fortifying faith and spirituality bolsters both individual and collective will. The application of the principles of the governance of will significantly mitigates socio-economic issues such as poverty, systemic corruption, and social fragmentation by institutionalizing the values of cooperation, unity, and justice.
Conclusions:
The research concludes that the “governance of will” serves as an efficacious Quranic framework for social reform. Through this paradigm, a conscious collective will can be cultivated, capable of spearheading societal transformations and elevating the standards of good governance. Ultimately, this study posits a contemporary scholarly model of the Islamic comprehension of volition, which holds the potential for further development in empirical studies and comparative analyses with modern change management theories.

Keywords

References

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Contemporary Quranic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 14
March 2026
Pages 41-76

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