Identifying Ethical Components in the Islamic Lifestyle with a Focus on Dialogue and Interaction Styles

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the ethical components of the Islamic lifestyle, focusing on dialogue and interaction styles, based on the lived experiences of experts in Islamic studies and social ethics. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 professors, researchers, and experts in Islamic and ethics fields in Tehran. Participants were selected purposefully, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were coded and analyzed using NVivo software, leading to the extraction of main and sub-themes. Data analysis revealed three main themes: ethics of dialogue (mutual respect, honesty, fairness, humility, and avoidance of verbal violence), ethics of social interaction (responsibility, empathy, cooperation, trust-building, and observing boundaries), and ethics of self-management and self-control (self-awareness, emotion regulation, responsibility in speech, and behavioral review). Interviewee quotations indicated that adhering to these components fosters healthy individual and social relationships and enhances cultural cohesion. Emphasizing the identified ethical components in dialogue and interaction plays a key role in enhancing social capital and reducing communication harms in Iranian society. Practical education and promotion of these components within educational systems, families, and media can facilitate moral growth and cultural excellence.