Qur'anic Solutions to the Flexing Culture of Consumerism According to Tafsir Muhammad ‘Ali Ash-Shabuni
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31943/afkarjournal.v8i3.2685Keywords:
Flexing, Qur’anic Ethics, ash-ShabuniAbstract
The phenomenon of flexing, or the display of wealth on social media, has become a deeply embedded aspect of digital culture, particularly in Indonesia. This behavior reflects not only consumerist and cultural capitalist values but also signals a broader ethical and spiritual crisis in modern society. This study explores the Qur'anic response to flexing by conducting a thematic analysis of relevant verses, based on the exegesis of Muhammad ‘Ali ash-Shabuni in his work Shafwat al-Tafāsīr. The findings reveal that ash-Shabuni condemns flexing as a manifestation of zīnah (superficial adornment), tafākhur (boasting), tabdhīr (wastefulness), and riya’ (showing off), all of which contradict Islamic principles of modesty, gratitude, and social responsibility. Through the interpretation of key verses such as Al-Hadid: 20, Al-Isra: 27, Al-Baqarah: 264, and An-Nisa: 36–37, ash-Shabuni proposes normative solutions centered on spiritual consciousness and ethical consumption. These include the values of qana‘ah (contentment), wasatiyyah (moderation), and respect for social obligations, offering an Islamic ethical alternative to the pressures of digital materialism. This study concludes that ash-Shabuni’s Qur'anic approach provides a transformative ethical framework for resisting performative consumption and promoting spiritual resilience in the digital age.
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