Empathy as a Quranic Leadership Paradigm: A Maqasidi Tafsir Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33511/alfanar.v8n2.66-80Keywords:
Empathetic leadership, maqasidi tafsir, Maqasid al-Shariah, Quranic leadershipAbstract
Contemporary leadership requires not only managerial competence but also empathetic sensitivity in understanding the needs, interests, and conditions of those being led. In this context, the Quran offers a leadership paradigm grounded in empathy, justice, and moral responsibility as foundational principles for social well-being. This article aims to examine the concept of empathy-based leadership from a Quranic perspective through the lens of Maqaṣidi Tafsīr and to explore its relevance for developing a more humane and responsive leadership model in contemporary society. The article employs a qualitative method using a content analysis approach. The primary data consist of Quranic verses that portray leadership values, analyzed through Abdul Mustaqim’s Maqasidi Tafsīr framework, while secondary data are drawn from classical and contemporary Quranic commentaries, literature on maqaṣid al-shari‘ah, and relevant leadership studies. The analysis reveals four fundamental principles of empathetic leadership: the protection of life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), respect for the intellectual capacity and agency of followers (ḥifẓ al-‘aql), humility in exercising authority, and moral responsibility in promoting the common good. These findings demonstrate that empathy in the Quranic worldview is not merely an emotional response but an ethical principle aimed at fostering justice, protection, and social solidarity. The study implies that the maqaṣidi approach provides a valuable conceptual foundation for developing transformative, inclusive, and human-centered leadership in contemporary contexts.
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