Ontological analysis of human dignity and its relation to excellence in the verse of Takrim

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original

Authors

Quranic Interpretation and Sciences, Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, Qom, Iran

Abstract

The verse of honor (Al-Isra:70) is one of the foundational Quranic texts that explains the status of the human being in the order of creation. Using the two key terms takrīm and tafdīl, the verse points to both the inherent dignity of human beings and their superiority over other creatures. This study aims to present a coherent and precise interpretation of this verse by offering an ontological account of human dignity and analyzing its conceptual relationship with divine preference.

Adopting a library-based methodology and an analytical-interpretive approach within the framework of thematic exegesis, this research seeks to clarify the essence of innate human dignity and its implications. A better understanding of the relationship between inherent dignity and relative excellence can provide a theoretical foundation for re-evaluating the Quranic framework of human value and for rationally defending the theocentric basis of human rights.

According to the findings, human dignity in this verse is a divine, universal, and inalienable gift, inherent in the very nature of humanity and present potentially in every human individual. This dignity becomes the basis for enjoying rights and moral status only when it is actualized through free movement toward spiritual and moral perfection. Moreover, preference is interpreted as the outward manifestation of human dignity in relation to other creatures. The word many in the phrase “We have preferred them over many of those We created” refers to the multitude of non-preferred beings and does not limit the scope of human superiority, including over beings such as angels.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Quranic Doctrines

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 October 2025

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