A Comparative Study of indices of Western Consumerism and Islamic pattern of Consumption

Consumption means the promotion of consumption and the purpose of life to be used in capitalist societies to cover the mass production of capitalism on the one hand, and on the other hand to provide more individual freedom and gain an independent identity. Hence, this phenomenon is not regarded as disingenuous but desirable and necessary for the social and economic life of societies. Many evidence suggests that other countries of the world, with different values and norms, including Iran, have chosen such a model for their socio-economic life. But from the point of view of Islamic teachings, consumerism and its dimensions and attributes can be analyzed as a new phenomenon. Therefore, in this paper, the identification of the exact characteristics of this phenomenon by descriptive-analytical method with the use of the works of Western thinkers and thinkers and then its comparison with Islamic principles, rules and teachings and, in other words, the Islamic model of consumption, is to be considered so through this comparison, to be able to provide useful implications for policy making and to bring society into a leading, dynamic, and resilient economy and culture.
The findings of the paper show that there are three different levels in several conceptual areas such as freedom, independence, social status, economic growth, environment, social justice, etc. There are serious differences between the two patterns that the Islamic model of consumption, if employed, will eliminate many of negative consequences and effects of Western consumerism, and make its alleged benefits, but also more.