Inner Nature and Disposition

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abstract

Inner nature (fiṭra) is among the important humanistic and hence educational topics of discussion. In this writing, the writer has first discussed the meaning of inner nature in religious sources and from the viewpoint of the interpreters and then dealt with two questions concerning the inner nature. The first question is whether the expanse of inner nature only includes human relation to God, or it covers all dimensions of human life. The second question is whether the inner nature lies in the dimension of knowledge and cognition, or it encompasses the tendency and inclination aspect as well. Answering both these question, the writer has further asked the question as to whether or not the truth-oriented and appreciative inner nature can have a hellish disposition (ṭīna), as is implied from traditions on disposition. Then, he has attempted to present and criticize the viewpoints brought up concerning this question.