WHEN WOMEN UNDERMINE WOMEN: DISMANTLING THE QUEEN BEE SYNDROME THROUGH THE LENS OF THE AL-QUR'AN

Abstract

"Women are often their own worst enemies"—this expression is frequently used to describe the Queen Bee Syndrome phenomenon, in which successful women tend to belittle or hinder the progress of other women. This article aims to examine the Queen Bee Syndrome through the perspective of the Al-Qur'an, utilizing a thematic exegesis (maudhu'i) approach integrated with Ibn Khaldun’s sociology of religion theory. This study is a descriptive qualitative research based on library research. Data analysis was conducted using the thematic (maudhu'i) method on Quranic verses to collect, classify, and holistically interpret Quranic messages regarding power relations and interactions among women. The results identify three key terms: yaskhar (mockery), takhunu (betrayal), and yajzi (recompense). From these keywords, three verses related to the Queen Bee Syndrome were identified: QS. al-Hujur?t: 11, QS. al-Anf?l: 27, and QS. al-An‘?m: 160. These verses serve as a foundation to demonstrate that Queen Bee Syndrome is not merely a social and psychological issue, but also a matter of spiritual ethics. In short, these findings have several important social and cultural implications: fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women, increasing women's participation without discrimination from any party, and integrating Quranic concepts and their interpretations into the understanding of social phenomena.