An Analysis of Conflict of Interest Cases and Their Management Strategies: Insights from Qur’anic Narratives(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
حوزههای تخصصی:
The Qur’an, as a divine scripture, transcends a merely religious and spiritual text; it constitutes a unique compendium of knowledge and guidance for understanding and addressing diverse individual and social issues. With its comprehensive and boundless depth, this sacred text engages with all aspects of human life and elucidates the causes and conditions of various challenges. One of the significant issues discussed within this framework is the conflict of interest. The main question of this study is: What are the instances of conflict of interest from the Qur’anic perspective, and what solutions does the Qur’an propose for managing them? This paper aims to identify and explain the manifestations of conflict of interest based on Qur’anic teachings and to explore the corresponding management strategies. To achieve this goal, a descriptive-analytical method was employed, drawing upon four Qur’anic narratives: the Battle of Uḥud, the behavior of the Companions during the Prophet’s time, the story of Prophet Shuʿayb, and the account of Hābīl and Qābīl (Abel and Cain). The findings indicate that the Qur’an extensively addresses this issue and provides multiple approaches for confronting, managing, and avoiding conflicts of interest. The key managerial components include identifying the roots of conflict, preventing and controlling it through transparency, emphasizing ethical leadership, and managing group relations. Qur’anic strategies are based on such concepts as al-taqwā (self-restraint), al-īmān (reinforced responsibility), al-infāq (almsgiving or reduction of inequality), and al-ṣabr (rational forbearance). Operationalizing these strategies through a three-level framework (individual, organizational, and social) can foster communities resilient against corruption. The results demonstrate that the Qur’an not only contributes to preventing conflicts of interest but also assists in cultivating a balanced and morally grounded society.
