Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

A conceptual model of positive and normal feelings of inferiority in the Quran and hadiths

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zeinab Poornkavian 1
Zahra Sarfi 2
Mohammad Sadeq Shujaie 3
1 Department of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Mustafa International Research Institute, Qom, Iran.
10.22034/iscw.2025.2072673.1197
Abstract
Although the feeling of inferiority in psychology is mainly introduced as a source of mental disorder and damage, there are teachings in Islamic sources that show that the feeling of inferiority can also have a positive function. The present study was written by using a conceptual model and answered the question: What is the conceptual model of the feeling of inferiority in the Quran and selected narrative sources? To achieve the answer, a qualitative content analysis method of religious texts and library resources was used. (such as the Holy Quran, Al-Kafi…) Data extraction from sources was done by open text reading and keyword search; The roots of words such as: «ذل‌ل»، «خ‌ض‌ع»، «ص‌غ‌ر» و «ق‌ل‌ل»
From the review and analysis of the data, the following 16 components were obtained in 3 parts: 1- The constituent components of the concept (inner failure, feeling of existential weakness, feeling of inability to manage life's affairs without relying on God, feeling of inadequacy and inability to carry out missions, and feeling of inferiority in front of believers), 2- Causal conditions (recognition of conscience, rationality, attention to one's negative performance, personal practice and experience, involvement in life's problems and remembrance of death and belief in the afterlife), 3- Consequences (achievement of high status, gaining affection and kindness, achieving goals and desires, development and progress in life and personal growth). The positive type of inferiority complex is related to the religious and spiritual dimensions of mankind; it encompasses both the worldly and the hereafter, and its cultivation in individuals is essential. Therefore, there are some differences with the views of Adler and his followers.
Keywords
feeling of inferiority
feeling of self-reflection
positive and normal
conceptual model
Subjects
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Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
February 2026
Pages 39-66

  • Receive Date 25 September 2025
  • Revise Date 30 November 2025
  • Accept Date 02 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 10 December 2025
  • Publish Date 21 January 2026