A Qualitative Analysis of Morality-Centered Religious Experience among Contemporary Young Muslims

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify and explain the dimensions and lived experience of morality-centered religiosity among contemporary young Muslims. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 young Muslim residents of Tehran, continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis was performed using NVivo software through open coding, concept extraction, and identification of main themes. The credibility of the results was ensured by participant review and peer debriefing. Data analysis revealed three main themes: moral-religious identity, challenges and tensions of religiosity, and strategies and outcomes of morality-centered religiosity. Young participants emphasized personal interpretation and authenticity in their religiosity, regarding ethics, social responsibility, and the pursuit of justice as the core of their religious experience. They addressed challenges such as the tension between tradition and modernity, social judgments, and cultural pressures through strategies like identity negotiation, moral self-development, and social activism. The findings indicate that morality-centered religiosity among contemporary young Muslims is a multilayered and evolving phenomenon, focusing on ethics and personal meaning, which enables constructive interaction between religion, ethics, and identity. A deeper understanding of this experience can inform cultural and religious policymaking tailored to the needs of the new generation.