The Psychological Effects of Monotheism

Although the principal responsibility of monotheism is to establish a monotheistic society, that is, a society, where there is no class discrimination and the divine rules and the commands of Allah are dominant, the psychological effects of this belief in the spirit of the believers is tremendous and worth-considering. On the whole, it can be said that the monotheistic belief has two constructive dimensions: the construction of the society and the construction of the individual.

The follower of monotheism, under the influence of this belief, enjoys important characteristics including infinite hope, untiring effort, protection against fright and lusts, broad-mindedness, rightly-chosen direction and so forth.

The Qur'an in some of its verses, when speaking about faith and the life and efforts of true believers clearly points out some of these characteristics. Example verses are as follows:

﴾And those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had smitten them-to all those of them who did good and feared God, shall be a mighty wage; those to whom the people said, 'The people have gathered against you, therefore fear them'; but it increased them in faith, and they said, 'God is sufficient for us; an excellent Guardian is He.' So they returned with blessing and bounty from God, untouched by evil; they followed the good pleasure of God, and God is of bounty abounding. That is Satan frightening his friends. Therefore do not fear them; but fear you Me, if you are believers. (3:172-175)﴿

* THE GENERAL PATTERN OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN THE QUR'AN. By: SAYYED ALI KHAMENEI. Translated by: Alireza Anoushiravan