Esteem Needs Distortion in the Digital Age: An Analysis of Maqāṣidī Interpretation of the Phenomenon of Flexing in Surah Al-Mā’ūn

Abstract

Social media culture has created a paradox in fulfilling human psychological needs. On the one hand, social media facilitates social relationships, but on the other hand, it distorts esteem needs through the phenomenon of flexing, which is showing off wealth and lifestyle to obtain instant validation. This study aims to analyze the role of esteem needs distortion in triggering flexing behavior using Abdul Mustaqim's maqāṣidī interpretation approach to Surah Al-Mā‘ūn. This study uses a qualitative method based on a literature review, with primary sources in the form of verses from the Qur'an and tafsir books, as well as secondary sources in the form of contemporary literature on psychology and social media. The analysis was conducted using the maqāṣidī interpretation approach and applying the maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah framework, specifically the preservation of religion (ḥifẓ al-dīn), life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), and wealth (ḥifẓ al-māl).  The results of the study show that flexing arises from disorientation in the fulfillment of esteem needs, when external rewards replace true self-esteem and sincerity, thereby causing spiritual and moral disorientation. QS. Al-Mā‘ūn reveals this symptom as a form of riyā’ and neglect of social responsibility. This study contributes by integrating psychological theory and Qur'anic ethics through a maqāṣidī tafsīr approach, as well as offering a reconstruction of esteem needs fulfillment oriented towards sincerity, empathy, and social welfare in the digital age.