Ma`rifat Hoghoughi

The problem of poverty stands as one of the most pressing challenges to social justice in contemporary societies,and,various theories,of,justice have sought to provide a normative framework for addressing it.This study aims,to,examine and compare how social justice and the problem of poverty are conceptualized in Rawls’ theory of justice and Al-Farabi’s political philosophy.The,central research question concerns what theoretical foundations each,of,these two perspectives offers for,the,analysis,of,poverty,and,what capacities they hold,for,reducing economic inequality.The,research methodology employed is descriptive-analytical with a comparative approach,grounded in the analysis of philosophical texts.The,findings indicate,that,Rawls,through his principles,of,equal liberty,fair equality of opportunity,and,the,difference principle,provides an institutional framework for poverty reduction,and,the,protection,of,the,disadvantaged.Al-Farabi,by contrast, emphasizes virtue-based justice,social cooperation,and the ruler’s role in realizing the common good,thereby attending to the moral and social dimensions of economic justice.The,study concludes,that,integrating,the,institutional capacities of Rawls’ theory,with,the,ethical foundations of Al-Farabi’s philosophy can offer a broader theoretical horizon for the analysis and alleviation of poverty in contemporary societies.