Equity is one of the most frequently used terms in human discourse and one of the fundamental concepts in philosophy, law, and ethics. Despite extensive exploration by scholars across various disciplines, some aspects of fairness remain ambiguous or inadequately explained. This research, based on library data and employing qualitative content analysis, seeks to answer key question in the realm of moral philosophy: What is the origin of equity? By addressing these questions, the study aims to pave the way for achieving fairness and its positive outcomes—such as individual and societal flourishing, meritocracy in selection and appointments, resolving subjective doubts, and preventing erroneous judgments. Some narrations suggest two possible origins of equity: religious law or reason. However, a comprehensive examination of narrations and the application of conflict-resolution principles—such as the nature of textual indications and the reciprocal relationship between reason and religious law—reveals that equity is one of the highest intrinsic, rights-based moral virtues rooted in reason, with faith being one of its most significant motivators.
Furthermore, the reference to the rational necessity of equity in the discourse of certain thinkers, coupled with the fact that most motivators for equity—such as an aversion to evil, benevolence, and chivalry —as well as deterrents from it—such as anger, baseness, and incapacity—originate from reason, serves to confirm and reinforce this conclusion.
Thus, in Islamic ethics, equity is affirmative (recognized and endorsed by religion) rather than institutive (established solely by religion). It is not exclusive to religious individuals; even non-religious people can be fair.
َAmanipour, M. (2025). Re-examining the Origin of equity (insaf) in Islamic Moral Philosophy: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Narratives. Islamic Philosophical Doctrines, (), -. doi: 10.30513/ipd.2025.7181.1624
MLA
َAmanipour, M. . "Re-examining the Origin of equity (insaf) in Islamic Moral Philosophy: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Narratives", Islamic Philosophical Doctrines, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.30513/ipd.2025.7181.1624
HARVARD
َAmanipour, M. (2025). 'Re-examining the Origin of equity (insaf) in Islamic Moral Philosophy: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Narratives', Islamic Philosophical Doctrines, (), pp. -. doi: 10.30513/ipd.2025.7181.1624
CHICAGO
M. َAmanipour, "Re-examining the Origin of equity (insaf) in Islamic Moral Philosophy: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Narratives," Islamic Philosophical Doctrines, (2025): -, doi: 10.30513/ipd.2025.7181.1624
VANCOUVER
َAmanipour, M. Re-examining the Origin of equity (insaf) in Islamic Moral Philosophy: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Narratives. Islamic Philosophical Doctrines, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.30513/ipd.2025.7181.1624
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