Shahed University Scientific Journal of New Islamic Civilization Fundamental Studies 2676-525X 9 1 2026 03 21 Fatimid Life Skills (S); A Civilizational Approach Fatimid Life Skills (S); A Civilizational Approach 131 160 5086 10.22070/nic.2026.20518.1418 FA Laleh Eftekhari Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2025 02 03 Purpose: System-building and civilization-building are among the missions of religion from the perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA) (Khamenei, Statements on the 31st Anniversary of Imam Khomeini's Passing Away, 03/14/2019). In the Islamic world, unity aimed at achieving a new Islamic civilization is considered the highest form of unity (see: Khamenei, Statements of the Meeting of the Guests of the Unity Conference, 08/24/2019). Accordingly, today the goal for every Muslim should be to create a new Islamic civilization (Khamenei, Statements of the Meeting of the Iraqi Motorcade, 06/27/2019). In various meetings with women, the Supreme Leader discusses their issues from multiple perspectives. In a message that acknowledges differences in foundations and worldviews, he identifies three models of women: predominantly Eastern, predominantly Western, and neither Eastern nor Western, the latter based on the Fatimid model (Khamenei, Statements of a Group Meeting of Selected Women of the Country, 01/30/2014). This study examines the components of a modern Islamic civilization grounded in the Fatimid model. Methodology: This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing on library resources, hadiths, and a civilizational framework of the life of Hazrat Zahra (S) as a model aligned with the study’s aims and research questions. Theoretical Foundations: The study explains the theoretical foundations of the following topics in order: Life Skills (types and dimensions of life skills with examples); Civilization (definition of civilization and modern Islamic civilization; distinctions between Islamic civilization and non-monotheistic civilizations; the necessity of a modern Islamic civilization; components and principles of Islamic civilization); the components and principles of modern Islamic civilization grounded in Fatimid life skills (consultation and advice, allegiance); the concept of the human caliphate from God; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; equality and equity; social solidarity and cohesion; awakening, awareness, and insight; social participation; mutual support between officials and the people; thinking and rationality; insight; recognition of mutual rights (needs and feelings of others); avoidance of petrification and reaction, as well as openness to innovation, eclecticism, and chaos; jihad and defense of the oppressed; and the acquisition of knowledge. Findings: Research findings indicate that the majority of life-skill indicators based on the revelatory model align with the life-skill and civilizational attributes currently proposed by contemporary thinkers. Therefore, Hazrat Zahra (peace be upon her)—as the supreme exemplar of Islamic life skills—serves as a fitting model for the realization of the new Islamic civilization. Conclusion: Conclusion Realizing a new Islamic civilization is the mission of every Muslim. Since non-divine civilizations often conflict with Islamic culture, Muslims should draw on life skills inspired by the Islamic civilization model and grounded in Qur’anic teachings to achieve this goal. Looking to noble exemplars such as Siddiqah al-Kubra (PBUH) can facilitate and accelerate this path. Accordingly, after examining the components and characteristics of life skills and the new Islamic civilization, this study explores a range of common and less-common issues—such as critical thinking, insight, learning, communication with others, respect for their rights, equality, and consultation—in relation to the life of Hazrat Zahra (PBUH). The findings indicate that although Hazrat Zahra was a young woman and a citizen of the civilized society of Madinah, her sayings and life provide valuable examples on all these issues that can inspire everyone. Based on this, it is suggested that Fatimid life skills adopt a civilizational approach characterized by values such as diligence, justice, responsibility, and chastity, tailored to the needs and understanding of diverse audiences—including children, adolescents, youth, women, and men—in relation to themselves, God, and others. Content should be developed in the form of games, entertainment, films, stories, novels, and poems, and integrated into school and university curricula, as well as in-service training for employees, and pre- and post-marriage training and skills courses. Purpose: System-building and civilization-building are among the missions of religion from the perspective of Imam Khomeini (RA) (Khamenei, Statements on the 31st Anniversary of Imam Khomeini's Passing Away, 03/14/2019). In the Islamic world, unity aimed at achieving a new Islamic civilization is considered the highest form of unity (see: Khamenei, Statements of the Meeting of the Guests of the Unity Conference, 08/24/2019). Accordingly, today the goal for every Muslim should be to create a new Islamic civilization (Khamenei, Statements of the Meeting of the Iraqi Motorcade, 06/27/2019). In various meetings with women, the Supreme Leader discusses their issues from multiple perspectives. In a message that acknowledges differences in foundations and worldviews, he identifies three models of women: predominantly Eastern, predominantly Western, and neither Eastern nor Western, the latter based on the Fatimid model (Khamenei, Statements of a Group Meeting of Selected Women of the Country, 01/30/2014). This study examines the components of a modern Islamic civilization grounded in the Fatimid model. Methodology: This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, drawing on library resources, hadiths, and a civilizational framework of the life of Hazrat Zahra (S) as a model aligned with the study’s aims and research questions. Theoretical Foundations: The study explains the theoretical foundations of the following topics in order: Life Skills (types and dimensions of life skills with examples); Civilization (definition of civilization and modern Islamic civilization; distinctions between Islamic civilization and non-monotheistic civilizations; the necessity of a modern Islamic civilization; components and principles of Islamic civilization); the components and principles of modern Islamic civilization grounded in Fatimid life skills (consultation and advice, allegiance); the concept of the human caliphate from God; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; equality and equity; social solidarity and cohesion; awakening, awareness, and insight; social participation; mutual support between officials and the people; thinking and rationality; insight; recognition of mutual rights (needs and feelings of others); avoidance of petrification and reaction, as well as openness to innovation, eclecticism, and chaos; jihad and defense of the oppressed; and the acquisition of knowledge. Findings: Research findings indicate that the majority of life-skill indicators based on the revelatory model align with the life-skill and civilizational attributes currently proposed by contemporary thinkers. Therefore, Hazrat Zahra (peace be upon her)—as the supreme exemplar of Islamic life skills—serves as a fitting model for the realization of the new Islamic civilization. Conclusion: Conclusion Realizing a new Islamic civilization is the mission of every Muslim. Since non-divine civilizations often conflict with Islamic culture, Muslims should draw on life skills inspired by the Islamic civilization model and grounded in Qur’anic teachings to achieve this goal. Looking to noble exemplars such as Siddiqah al-Kubra (PBUH) can facilitate and accelerate this path. Accordingly, after examining the components and characteristics of life skills and the new Islamic civilization, this study explores a range of common and less-common issues—such as critical thinking, insight, learning, communication with others, respect for their rights, equality, and consultation—in relation to the life of Hazrat Zahra (PBUH). The findings indicate that although Hazrat Zahra was a young woman and a citizen of the civilized society of Madinah, her sayings and life provide valuable examples on all these issues that can inspire everyone. Based on this, it is suggested that Fatimid life skills adopt a civilizational approach characterized by values such as diligence, justice, responsibility, and chastity, tailored to the needs and understanding of diverse audiences—including children, adolescents, youth, women, and men—in relation to themselves, God, and others. Content should be developed in the form of games, entertainment, films, stories, novels, and poems, and integrated into school and university curricula, as well as in-service training for employees, and pre- and post-marriage training and skills courses.

https://nic.shahed.ac.ir/article_5086_71e63ef5b7249cfc60852f0e0f5bf4c8.pdf