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

Abstract

This study aims to identify the coping strategies of contemporary Islamic jurists in addressing medical ethics challenges and to clarify how they interact with emerging issues in this field. This qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 20 contemporary jurists active in the field of medical ethics in Tehran. Purposeful sampling was continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were coded and analyzed using NVivo software, and themes and concepts were extracted through thematic analysis. The results indicated that the coping strategies of contemporary jurists can be classified into three main themes: (1) adaptive and updated ijtihad, including the use of modern jurisprudential sources, considering current circumstances, and interdisciplinary collaboration; (2) managing ethical and religious conflicts, focusing on prioritizing fundamental ethical principles and resolving jurisprudential tensions; and (3) enhancing education and jurisprudential knowledge production through specialized training, producing practical fatwas, and utilizing new technologies. Participants emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and attention to the evolving needs of the medical community. This study revealed that contemporary Islamic jurists adopt a multidimensional and adaptive approach to address new medical ethics issues, striving to integrate jurisprudential principles, scientific data, and social considerations to offer effective solutions. These findings can inform policy-making and interdisciplinary education in the field of Islamic medical ethics.