Qur’an and Social Sciences

Qur’an and Social Sciences

An Analytical Study of the Cultural Strategies of the Noble Qur’an in Confronting Social Inequalities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
mohammad azizi 1
Fatemeh Masjedi 2
Seyyed Hussein Jafari Nasb 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author)
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/arq.2025.477708.1409
Abstract
Social inequality is a longstanding challenge in human societies, rooted in unequal access to power, wealth, and social status. Advances in science, industry, and social relations have rendered these inequalities more complex, leading to conflicts, crises, and injustices. The Noble Qur’an, as a source of divine guidance, provides cultural strategies for confronting such inequalities and outlines intellectual and practical frameworks for the formation of a more just and desirable society. The realization of such a society is unattainable without raising awareness, imparting knowledge, and transforming the cultural order. This study, employing Qur’anic data and a descriptive–analytical method, seeks to elucidate the cultural strategies of the Qur’an in addressing social inequalities. Accordingly, the key Qur’anic cultural strategies are as follows: cognitive reform, which entails focusing on correcting human perception and understanding of oneself. This includes emphasizing the intrinsic dignity of every individual, equality in the principle of creation, the purpose and wisdom of creation, and the equal rights of men and women. This approach rejects notions of racial or ethnic superiority. Value reform, in turn, signifies the transformation of the community’s value system by replacing superficial criteria such as wealth and power with authentic Islamic values such as faith, piety, knowledge, and jihad, thereby fostering a just social hierarchy; and social reforms, which entail defining a proper outlook on power and wealth as instruments for serving humanity, combating corruption, and defending the oppressed, while also offering mechanisms for reducing wealth accumulation and ensuring its equitable circulation to prevent economic disparities. The findings suggest that social inequality in a monotheistic society arises from the lack of alignment between beliefs, values, and socio-political–economic structures with religious teachings and the aforementioned cultural strategies. Attaining an Islamic modern civilization and a just society requires nurturing individuals through cultural reforms and a fundamental transformation in their beliefs and values. The Qur’an’s approach to equality does not entail absolute uniformity; rather, it acknowledges differences arising from talents and efforts while upholding justice and balance.
Keywords
Social reforms؛ Value reforms؛ Cognitive reforms؛ Cultural strategy؛ Qur&rsquo
an؛ Social inequality

Subjects

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Qur’an and Social Sciences
Volume 5, Issue 2 - Serial Number 18
Summer 2025
Pages 154-183

  • Receive Date 28 December 2024
  • Revise Date 01 August 2025
  • Accept Date 18 August 2025