A Comparative Semantic Analysis of the Concept of Hasrah (Regret) in Qur’anic Teachings and Psychology

Abstract

The concept of hasrah (regret) is one of the fundamental notions in the expression of human emotions and occupies a distinctive position both in religious texts—particularly the Holy Qur’an—and in the discipline of psychology. In the Holy Qur’an, hasrah is employed as a means of elucidating human remorse and repentance over missed opportunities in both this world and the Hereafter, and it appears in numerous verses through synonymous expressions such as wayl, layta, yā ḥasratā, and nadam. In the Qur’anic discourse, regret is not presented merely as a negative emotion; rather, it functions as a divine warning intended to guide human beings toward righteous action and to prevent negligence. By contrast, in modern psychology, regret is defined as a complex and unpleasant emotional state that arises from comparing one’s current condition with alternative possibilities that existed in the past, and it may lead to psychological outcomes such as anxiety, depression, shame, and guilt. Adopting a comparative and semantic approach, the present article examines the concept of regret in the Holy Qur’an and in psychological theories. Using a descriptive–analytical method, it explores the similarities and differences of this concept across the two domains. The findings indicate that although both perspectives emphasize remorse over lost opportunities, the Qur’an frames regret within a divine and eschatological context, whereas psychology focuses primarily on its experiential and therapeutic dimensions. This comparative analysis not only contributes to enriching the interpretation of Qur’anic verses but also offers insights for the prevention and treatment of regret-related psychological distress within psychology. The results of this study may contribute to the development of interdisciplinary models such as “Qur’anic Cognitive Therapy,” in which Qur’anic verses are employed as tools for managing negative emotions.