Recognizing the Concept of Neshat (Vitality/Joy) in the Holy Quran Based on Content Analysis of Related Verses

Janghorban, Ali; Taghipour, Faezeh; Najari, Zinat

doi:10.22034/jksl.2025.515120.1452

Recognizing the Concept of Neshat (Vitality/Joy) in the Holy Quran Based on Content Analysis of Related Verses

Authors

Ali Janghorban ¹

Faezeh Taghipour ²

Zinat Najari ³

¹ MSc Health Service Management, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

² Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Business Management, Department of Humanities and Law, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

³ Bachelor of Theology, Faculty of Literature, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

10.22034/jksl.2025.515120.1452

Abstract

Cheerfulness (Nashāṭ) is a concept that has internal, behavioral, and social dimensions and is associated with notions such as satisfaction, hope, smiling, and mental and social health. In the Qurʾānic perspective, cheerfulness is a state of inner happiness, heartfeltsureness, and spiritual contentment arising from connection with God, faith, gratitude for blessings, righteous deeds, and hope for divine reward. This research aims to explain the concept of cheerfulness based on a content analysis of related concepts in the verses of the Holy Qurʾān. The research method is qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. For this purpose, a list was used as the data collection tool, and Qurʾānic software was employed to prepare and extract the relevant verses. The analysis and examination of the findings indicate that the cause or context of cheerfulness is significant and has positive or negative aspects. In general, cheerfulness can be divided into two categories: praiseworthy cheerfulness and blameworthy cheerfulness. The most important results of the research are that: praiseworthy and desirable cheerfulness from the perspective of the Holy Qurʾān includes faith-based and divine cheerfulness, which is connected to monotheistic values, spirituality, gratitude, and piety, and in the Hereafter leads to divine satisfaction and otherworldly felicity; whereas blameworthy and reprehensible cheerfulness from the perspective of the Holy Qurʾān includes non-faith-based cheerfulness, which is associated with factors such as worldly wealth and property and illegitimate pleasures, and in the Hereafter leads to fall and divine punishment.

Keywords

Quran

Mercy

Hope

Neshat (vitality/joy)

Content Analysis

Subjects

Theology and Islamic Sciences

Qurʾān Karīm.

Anbari, M. (2018). Setāyesh-e shādmaneh-ye tabyīn; neshāṭ-e ejtemāʿī dar Īrān. University of Isfahan Press. [In Persian]

Aref, A., & Kashani, M. (2022). "The Impact of Social Networks in Cyberspace on the Social Cheerfulness of Teachers in Tehran in 2020." Quarterly Journal of Communication and Culture Pioneers, 1(3), 87-100. https://doi.org/10.22034/rcc.2022.253276 [In Persian]

Bakhshayesh, A., Mortezaei, M., & Haeri, M. (2011). "A Comparative Study of the Concept of Happiness and Cheerfulness from the Perspective of Islam and Psychology." Culture in the Islamic University, 1(1), 84-101. [In Persian]

Dickey, M. T. (1999). "The Pursuit of Happiness." http://www.dickey.org/happy.htm

Diener, E., & Seligman, M. (2002). "Very Happy People." American Psychological Society, 13(1), 38-56.

Ehtemam, H., & Taghipour, F. (2024). "Strategies for Using Social Networks to Strengthen Cheerfulness in the Family." Strategic Studies of Culture, 4(4), 87-124. https://doi.org/10.22083/scsj.2024.456579.1174 [In Persian]

Eysenck, H. J. (1990). Happiness, Facts and Myths. Lawrence Erlbaum.

Ghatrhei, F. (2008). Survey of Happiness Relationship and Educational Factors Quality on Elementary School in Tehran County. University of Teacher Training.

Hezarjaribi, J., & Moradi, S. (2014). "Social Cheerfulness and Related Factors: A Study among Students of Allameh Tabatabai University." National Studies Journal, 15(4), 3-26. [In Persian]

Hezarjaribi, J., & Safari Shali, R. (2010). "A Study of the Concept of Social Happiness and Factors Affecting It (Case Study in Markazi Province)." Welfare and Social Development Planning Quarterly, 1(3), 31-72. [In Persian]

Hosseini, S. T., & Kamalizadeh, T. (2012). "The Concept of Happiness and Cheerfulness in Hadiths." Culture in the Islamic University, 1(1), 117-137. [In Persian]

Ibn Manẓūr, M. ibn M. (1883). Lisān al-ʿArab. Al-Maṭbaʿah al-Mīrīyah. [In Arabic]

Jafari, B., Moti, M., & Hajji Esmaeili, M. R. (2022). "Investigating the Relationship between the Level of Life Expectancy and Inner Cheerfulness of Families with Recitation and Familiarity with the Qurʾān in the Transcendent Family." Islamic Lifestyle with a Focus on Health, 6(2), 1-10. [In Persian]

Khashei, F., Shamshiri, M. R., & Habibollahi, M. (2023). "The Effect of Culturalization Based on Divine Traditions in Verse 7 of Surah Ibrāhīm on Creating Cheerfulness and Hope in Society." Qurʾān, Culture and Civilization, 4(4), 111-133. https://doi.org/10.22034/jksl.2023.390581.1211 [In Persian]

Kifle Gedecho, E., & Kim, S. (S.). (2024). "Exploring the Spiritual Well-Being Experiences of Transnational Religious Festival Attendees: A Grounded Theory Approach." Tourism Management Perspectives, 53, 101-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2024.101289

Lau, C., Chiesi, F., & Hofmann, J. (2020). "Cheerfulness and Life Satisfaction Mediated by Self-Esteem and Behavioral Activation: A Serial Mediation Model." Personality and Individual Differences, 166(1), 110-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110175

Mikaeli, J., Khorsandi, M., & Homayouni, F. S. (2017). "Investigating the Role of Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Happiness: A Case Study of the Active Population of Tehran." Social Work Research Journal, 3(12), 1-41. https://doi.org/10.22054/rjsw.2017.10035 [In Persian]

Mirian, S. A., Bagheri, H., & Barari Kouhi, S. (2015). "A Comparative Study of Happiness and Cheerfulness from the Perspective of Islam and the Testaments." Culture in the Islamic University, 2(2), 51-80. [In Persian]

Moein, M. (2010). Farhang-e Moein. Farhang-e Moein. [In Persian]

Mohammadi Rey Shahri, M. (2013). Algū-ye shādī dar negāh-e Qurʾān va ḥadīth (Fārsī-ʿArabī). Dār al-Ḥadīth. [In Persian]

Mousavi, M. T., & Qasemzadeh. (2018). Jāmeʿeh-shenāsī-ye shādī; rūykard-e ejtemāʿī va shenākhtī bar moṭāleʿeh-ye shādī. Agah Publications. [In Persian]

Neuendorf, K. A. (2016). Rāhnamā-ye taḥlīl-e moḥtavā (H. Bakhshi & V. Jalaian Bakhshandeh, Trans.). Jahād-e Dāneshgāhī-ye Mashhad. [In Persian]

Sadeghi Niri, R. (2014). "The Concept of Happiness and Cheerfulness from the Perspective of the Qurʾān, Islamic Principles, and the Conduct and Words of the Infallible Imams (AS)." Culture in the Islamic University, 1(1), 15-29. [In Persian]

Sajjadizadeh, S. A., & Rahmatabadi, A. (2021). "The Role of Tawassul to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in Creating Calmness and a Spirit of Hope and Cheerfulness in Youth from the Perspective of the Qurʾān and Hadith." Qurʾān and ʿItrat Teachings, 3(1), 73-91. [In Persian]

Sharifzadeh, H. S., Mir Mohammad Tabar, S. A., & Adlipour, S. (2017). "Investigating the Factors Affecting Social Cheerfulness in Iran: A Meta-Analysis of Existing Research." Culture Strategy, 10(40), 159-180. [In Persian]

Taghipour, F., & Beyktashi, V. (2024). Taḥqīq dar as̄arāt-e resāneh. Allameh Tabatabai University Press. [In Persian]

Tavakoli Khaniki, M. J., & Ghasemi Shahri, S. A. (2020). "Investigating the Educational Role of Spiritual Cheerfulness According to Qurʾānic and Narrative Statements." Educational Teachings in the Qurʾān and Hadith, 6(1), 143-159. https://doi.org/10.22034/iued.2020.240021 [In Persian]

Zeini Malekabad, H., & Nilsaz, N. (2011). "The Position of Happiness and Cheerfulness in the Qurʾān and Narrations." Culture in the Islamic University, 1(1), 50-68. [In Persian]