Ma`rifat Farhangi Ejtemaei

Perhaps Durkheim first introduced social cohesion into sociology. He concluded the concept of social cohesion from division of labor in social system. Durkheim has formulated a particular analytical and conceptual system whose four sides are as follows: social division of labor, collective conscience, social cohesion, and law rights. On the other hand, the Holy Qur’an which takes care of social cohesion chooses another point of departure for advancing its theory in this respect based on natural and genetic foundations instead of being based on shaking conventional ones. The Holy Qur’an believes that the most fundamental factor contributing to [social] cohesion is divine religion which has natural and genetic origin. Furthermore, the Holy Qur’an mentions other social and genetic components such as family and kinship relationships although none of these social factors can be compared with the submission to Islam and belief in the One God. Using an analytical-descriptive approach, the present paper seeks to explore the concept of social cohesion in the Holy Qur’an.