مصرف و مصرف گرايي از منظر اسلام و جامعه شناسي اقتصادي

Consumption and Consumerism from the Viewpoint of Islam and Economic Sociology

Consumption and consumerism is a multidimensional subject which can be studied from various aspects and is influenced, in each society, by its general culture, norms and dominant values. Consumerism is to give a central importance to consumption and, aiming at material comforts and wealth. This picture of consumption started becoming popular from 19th century, with an aim of perpetuation of Capitalism and to stress upon the culture of utmost consumption, with an aim of enjoying material pleasures. In advancement of this process, publicity was an appropriate tool for this task. Through it frontiers between countries were broken and consumerism became a value in all societies. Consumerism leaves various economic, psychological and, most significantly, sociological effects on a society. Amongst the sociological effects of consumerism, the transformation of wealth and consumption into a value and its dominance on other values, showing off of wealth, class gaps and social inequality, sense of deprivation etc., can be pointed out. The present article using a methodology of reference, analysis of materials and descriptive and, a sociological procedure, after explaining the effects of consumerism in the society, studies consumerism from the viewpoint of Islamic teachings, and concludes that consumption on its own is not an objectionable phenomenon and Islam too, encourages the Muslims to fulfil daily needs of their lives. Whereas, consumerism and making consumption a goal has negative effects, and is in line with concepts like extravagance, wastage and spoilage and has been considered objectionable from Islamic viewpoint.