A Ph.D. dissertation was recently defended at the College of Islamic Sciences, University of Karbala, by researcher Haider Najm Aboud Kazem. His dissertation, titled “Social Responsibility in the Holy Qur’an and Its Role in Building Society – A Thematic Study,” explores the intellectual and moral foundations of the Qur’anic concept of social responsibility and its pivotal role in fostering a cohesive and cooperative society.

The researcher divided his study into two main chapters. The first addressed the internal sources of social responsibility, namely intellect and innate disposition (fitrah). He emphasized that the intellect serves as a tool enabling humans to distinguish between good and evil, thereby motivating responsibility, while fitrah represents an inner inclination toward goodness and justice, encouraging the fulfillment of social duties.

The second chapter focused on external sources of social responsibility, primarily religion as represented by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The study examined how the Qur’an promotes values such as compassion, justice, and benevolence, offering practical models of social responsibility in the lives of the Prophets. It also highlighted how the Sunnah exemplifies these values through the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

The dissertation concluded that social responsibility in Islam emerges from the interaction between internal moral conscience and religious guidance. This dual foundation contributes to building a sound society rooted in solidarity, awareness, and ethical commitment.