An Examination of the Mutual Functions of the Natural (Fiṭrī) Religion and Revealed Religion from the Perspective of ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī

One of the significant issues in the field of religious studies is the question of the origin of religion. Some consider the origin of religion to be the legislative will of God, while others regard it to be human involvements (such as ignorance). ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī is one of the prominent religious scholars who extensively addressed the issue of the origin of religion in his works. He argues that religion has a divinely revealed and innate origin, and each of these two origins has mutual functions that collectively lead to humanity's perpetual need for religion to attain felicity. The main issue of this research is to examine the aforementioned functions from the perspective of ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī, for which it focuses on his works through a descriptive - analytical method. From his viewpoint, religion is divided into natural (fiṭrī) religion and revealed religion. Natural religion consists of beliefs and laws guided by the natural disposition (fiṭrah). Natural religion and revealed religion have mutual functions, whereby natural religion serves as the basis for the teachings of revealed religion, guiding man towards the revealed religion and ensuring the perpetuity and universality of its teachings. Revealed religion, in turn, plays a significant role in identifying, elaborating, moderating, affirming, and reviving the teachings of natural religion.