نظرية المقارنة الاجتماعية في القرآن الكريم وأثرها في التعامل الإنسانيّ

Mohmad Awad Alkhawaldeh; Abdel karim Osman Ali; Rewan Fouzan Alhadid

doi:10.35516/Hum.2025.9704

Authors

Mohmad Awad Alkhawaldeh Exegesis and Quranic Sciences, Alqasimia University, Sharjah, UAE. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2592-3906
Abdel karim Osman Ali Exegesis and Quranic Sciences, Alqasimia University, Sharjah, UAE. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8611-1286
Rewan Fouzan Alhadid Exegesis and Quranic Sciences, Alqasimia University, Sharjah, UAE. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7318-8452

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2025.9704

Keywords:

Social Comparison Theory, Quran, Festinger, Human Construction.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to shed light on the theory of social comparison, first introduced by sociologist Festinger in 1954, and to highlight aspects of Quranic verses that address this type of comparison at both individual and group levels. It also seeks to analyze these verses and assess their impact on moral values and social behaviors, demonstrating the Quran’s precedence in employing and addressing concepts that contemporary social theories have later developed, which are principles that the Quran had already established centuries ago.

Methods: The study follows three methodologies: the inductive method, by examining the Quran to identify instances where social comparison is mentioned, its forms, and its implications; the analytical method, by meticulously analyzing these occurrences; and the deductive method, to extract Quranic guidance on dealing with this social phenomenon.

Results: The study concludes that the theory of social comparison largely aligns with the teachings of the Quran. It finds that such comparisons are ingrained in human nature; some serve as a positive force, encouraging individuals to strive for goodness and improvement, while others are negative and have clear adverse effects on individuals and communities.

Conclusions: Since the introduction of Festinger’s theory in 1954, the process of social comparison in self-evaluation has continued to raise a wide range of psychosocial concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to align the theory with Quranic verses and analyze them to identify the points of convergence between the two. This confirms that the Quran has played a fundamental role in organizing social existence and addressing the negative aspects that lead to social discord.

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