Motivation Theory in Religious Thought

This research seeks to present an approach to the study of motivation, based on Islamic teachings, in an attempt to prepare the ground for developing a motivation theory based on Islamic thought. The paper, which uses a descriptive-analytical method, first explores the basic concepts about motivation in religious texts, then investigates their mutual relations in a logical context to present it as a primary pattern in a schematic form. The basic concepts which are derived from religious texts and which have motivational role include: intention, will, desire, instincts and needs and intellect. Moreover, experimental research works, indicate that cognitions, tendencies, axiological system, targets and vital environmental factors play a basic role in the pattern of behavior. The research results show that a number of multiple factors is involved in every human behavior. As for the answer to the question which factors are more effective, a number of things should be considered; such as what stage of development a person is, which of his/her needs should be satisfied first in that stage of development, what kind of beliefs and attitudes he/she holds, which axiological system he/she follows what aims is he/she after and finally in what circumstances he/she is.