دانشگاه اصفهان الهیات تطبیقی 2008-9651 17 3 2026 09 23 Holy Protest in the Face of the Psychologically Devastating Effects of Illness اعتراض قدسی در مواجهه با آثار مخرب روانی بیماری 1 22 30259 10.22108/coth.2026.147592.2074 FA محمد رضا صمدی فروشانی استادیار گروه معارف، دانشگاه هنر اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران Journal Article 2025 12 02 The theology of protest is a contemporary theological trend that emerged in the aftermath of the Holocaust, emphasizing humanity's right to protest and lament before God in the face of evil and suffering. This article adopts a comparative-analytical approach to examine the theoretical foundations of protest theology in both Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, with particular focus on its manifestations in classical Islamic texts—including Quranic verses and the supplications of the Infallibles (peace be upon them). The findings indicate that protest theology in the context of illness and suffering fundamentally differs from traditional theologies of patience and passive submission. It offers instead a sacrificial, pragmatic, and hope-oriented approach that encourages patients to express their pain honestly and to direct their complaint respectfully toward God. This approach plays an effective role in strengthening spiritual conviction, alleviating psychological distress, and restoring the patient’s relationship with the Divine. Protest theology is shown to be adaptable within Islamic culture and can serve as a new strategic component in the spiritual care of patients in Muslim-majority contexts. While affirming the legitimate right to lament as part of the faith experience, the article also critiques traditional and cultural challenges to this approach and underscores the need for education and attitudinal reform to facilitate its broader acceptance. Keywords: Theology of Protest, Problem of Evil, ʿil, ʿ of Nishapur, Mushapur, ur, Theodicy. Introduction The problem of evil and suffering—particularly psychological suffering caused by illness—has long constituted a central challenge in theological discourse. Patients frequently experience crises of faith, anger toward God, and profound questioning of divine justice. In response, religious traditions have proposed various frameworks. Traditional theological responses centered solely on patience (ṣabr) and submission have often proven inadequate in addressing deep psycho-spiritual crises such as ruptured faith, divine anger, and existential doubt. In the 20th century, following the Holocaust, a new movement known as Theology of Protest emerged within Jewish theology and later influenced Christian thought. This theological current affirms humanity’s right—even duty—to protest and lament before God amid suffering, contrasting sharply with emphasis on silent endurance. This study investigates whether and how protest theology can be appropriated within an Islamic framework to address the psychological and spiritual distress of patients. Its main research question is: How can protest theology be understood and applied within Islamic tradition to support patients experiencing psychological suffering? Building on prior research in Jewish and Christian protest theology and emerging studies in Islamic mysticism (notably the works of ʿAṭṭār), this article tests the hypothesis that Islamic scriptural and devotional texts inherently contain—and sanction—a legitimate form of sacred complaint, one that can be systematized into a therapeutic theological model. Materials and Methods This research employs a comparative-analytical methodology, integrating textual analysis with theological interpretation. Primary sources include the Qurʾān, ḥadīth literature, supplications of the Imams (especially from al-Ṣaḥīfah al-Sajjādiyyah), and classical Persian mystical texts such as ʿAṭṭār Nīshābūrī’s Muṣībat-nāma. Secondary sources consist of contemporary works on protest theology in Jewish and Christian thought, alongside Islamic theological and mystical commentaries. The analysis is structured thematically, examining: Theoretical foundations of protest theology Its historical development in the Abrahamic traditions Its manifestations in Islamic scripture and devotional literature Its relationship to concepts of patience (ṣabr) and complaint (shakwā) Its practical applications in patient care Insights from Islamic mysticism (ʿirfān) are incorporated to deepen the theological dimension of the discussion. Research Findings This study confirms its central hypothesis, demonstrating that the Islamic tradition provides a robust theological foundation for a “theology of protest,” one that can be systematically applied to support patients in crisis. The research problem—the inadequacy of passive submission alone in addressing psycho-spiritual distress—finds a compelling response within this framework. The findings of the study affirm that sacred protest is not foreign to Islam but is deeply embedded in its scriptural and devotional corpus, from the Qurʾanic lamentations of prophets to the intimate supplications of the Imams and the radical dialogues of mystics such as ʿAṭṭār. Analysis also reveals that protest within this tradition is fundamentally an act of profound faith and tawḥīd (monotheism), representing a dynamic, dialogical relationship with God rather than a rupture. It redefines the Islamic virtue of ṣabr (patience) not as silent endurance, but as perseverance that channels anguish exclusively toward God, avoiding complaint to other people. This distinction is crucial for practical application, as it sanctifies the patient's emotional expression without compromising theological principles. Discussion of Results and Conclusions Considering the results of the present study, it can be said that this theology can be operationalized in spiritual care to achieve core objectives: alleviating anxiety by legitimizing emotional honesty, rebuilding the divine relationship through authentic dialogue, and nurturing active hope through empowered prayer. However, successful implementation requires navigating significant challenges, particularly the risk of misinterpretation as theological rebellion. This necessitates careful education of caregivers, patients, and families to distinguish between protest to God (sanctioned, relationship-affirming) and protest against God (rejection of divine wisdom). In conclusion, integrating the theology of protest into Islamic pastoral care offers a powerful, culturally-grounded model that bridges traditional spirituality and contemporary psychological needs. It provides a theologically coherent language for suffering—one that acknowledges pain while actively reinforcing faith. Future research should focus on developing concrete pedagogical tools and clinical guidelines to equip caregivers in applying this model effectively across diverse healthcare settings. الهیات اعتراض جریانی نوین در الهیات معاصر است که پس از فاجعۀ هولوکاست پدید آمد و بر حق انسان برای اعتراض و شکایت به خداوند در مواجهه با شر و رنج تأکید دارد. این مقاله با رویکردی تطبیقی و تحلیلی، مبانی نظری الهیات اعتراض را در دو حوزۀ یهودی-مسیحی و اسلامی بررسی و به طور ویژه تجلیات آن را در متون کلاسیک اسلامی، از جمله آیات قرآن کریم و دعاهای معصومین (علیهم‌السلام)، تحلیل می‌کند. یافته‌های پژوهش نشان می‌دهد الهیات اعتراض در مواجهه با رنج و بیماری، تفاوت اساسی با الهیات سنتی صبر و تسلیم دارد و رویکردی قربانی‌محور، عملگرایانه و امیدبخش ارائه می‌دهد که بیماران را به بیان صادقانۀ درد و اعتراض مؤدبانه به درگاه خداوند تشویق می‌کند. این رویکرد در تقویت باور معنوی، کاهش اضطراب روانی و بازسازی رابطۀ بیمار با خداوند نقشی مؤثر ایفا می‌کند. همچنین، الهیات اعتراض در بستر فرهنگ اسلامی قابل تطبیق است و می‌تواند به عنوان راهکاری نوین در مراقبت معنوی بیماران در کشورهای اسلامی استفاده شود. مقاله ضمن تأکید بر حق مشروع شکایت به خدا به عنوان بخشی از تجربۀ ایمانی، چالش‌های سنتی و فرهنگی این رویکرد را نیز نقد و بررسی و ضرورت آموزش و اصلاح نگرش‌ها را برای تسهیل پذیرش آن مطرح می‌کند.

https://coth.ui.ac.ir/article_30259_85bc1abe37ba2d1d1b5746b08a903b98.pdf