Qur’an and Social Sciences

Qur’an and Social Sciences

The Foundations, Criteria, and Model of Leisure in Islam

Document Type : Original Article

Author
mohammad parsaiyan
Assistant Professor, Department of Qur’an and Social Education, Academic Jihad, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/arq.2025.234460
Abstract
Islamic teachings have presented individual and social indicators and criteria for organizing leisure time. However, technological developments, socio-cultural transformations, and changes in lifestyle within modern societies have altered the meaning of leisure, creating a gap between traditional models and contemporary leisure practices. These transformations have posed serious challenges to policymaking processes in this field. The present study aims to explain the foundations, indicators, and model of leisure from the perspective of Islam through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates Islamic teachings and sociological theories. The research method employed is directed qualitative content analysis, in which an initial theoretical framework was developed using sociological theories, based on which primary concepts and codes were extracted. Subsequently, Islamic texts were analyzed through conceptual analysis, open coding, and axial coding, and the emerging themes were organized into a three-level structure. The findings indicate that Islamic indicators of leisure can be classified at three levels: (1) Essential Limits, encompassing restrictive and minimal Shar‘i frameworks; (2) Indicators of Excellence, including positive and educational components; and (3) Exemplary Model, representing ideal patterns for spiritually and morally capable individuals. Formulating cultural policies on leisure based on these levels can contribute to the effective management of leisure time and strengthen the cultural, educational, and multidimensional foundations of growth within the Islamic society.
Keywords
Leisure time
Islamic indicators of leisure
Directed content analysis
Lifestyle
Leisure policymaking

Subjects

Nahj al-Balāghah
Al-Ṣaḥīfah al-Sajjādiyyah
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  • Receive Date 31 May 2025
  • Revise Date 20 September 2025
  • Accept Date 29 September 2025