Educational Doctrines in Quran and Hadith

Educational Doctrines in Quran and Hadith

Hidden Behind Envy: Analyzing the Psychological Defense Mechanisms of Joseph’s Brothers in the Mirror of the Quran and Jungian Psychology

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD Student of Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.
10.22034/iued.2025.2062091.2799
Abstract
Abstract
This interdisciplinary study investigates the story of Joseph (Yūsuf) and his brothers in the Holy Quran from the perspective of Carl Gustav Jung’s Analytical Psychology. The primary objective is to meticulously analyze the phenomenon of envy (Hasad) within the theoretical frameworks of the "Shadow" archetype and the Quranic concept of "Nafs al-Ammāra" (The Commanding Soul).
The research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, drawing upon classical Islamic exegesis sources such as Al-Mizan, Tafsir al-Tabari, and Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir, alongside the foundational works of Jung. This approach examines the psychological defense mechanisms evident in the brothers’ behavior, focusing specifically on identifying the unconscious processes of denial and projection as manifested through their envy.
The findings demonstrate that envy in this narrative transcends a simple moral vice; rather, it functions as a profound symbol of internal conflicts and complex psychological defense mechanisms. The article's core innovation lies in applying Jung's sophisticated theoretical framework to the deep analysis of religious texts.
The results emphasize the critical importance of conscious confrontation with the internal shadows and highlight the pivotal role of repentance (Tawbah) in the process of psycho-moral transformation. This study opens a new horizon in interdisciplinary studies of the Quran and psychology, underscoring the fact that the Holy Quran addressed the deepest layers of the human psyche and its healing pathways centuries before the advent of modern psychology.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 November 2025

  • Receive Date 29 May 2025
  • Revise Date 16 October 2025
  • Accept Date 03 November 2025