Self-Control Promotion Mechanisms in the Holy Quran

Self-control has a significant role in spiritual and social health. Religious instructions can be regarded as a great capacity for improving self-control. Self-control is composed of different concepts and components and is depends on the values and cultural background of the community. This study was performed to explain the mechanisms of the improvement of self-control that are derived from the Holy Qur’an.

Methods and Materials: 

A qualitative content analysis study was conducted in a deductive- inductive design. In the deductive phase, the theories and definitions of self-control were investigated in a variety of resources and the core concepts and its components were identified. At the inductive phase, the keywords identified were reviewed in Qur’anic verses and their interpretations and the concepts were retrieved, coded, and classified.

Mechanisms for the improvement of self-control are classified in eight main categories, included 21 subcategories and 82 concepts. Some mechanisms are in line with the existing theories, while some of them are specifically presented by the Holy Quran. The mechanisms include self-awareness, promotion of goals, inner motivation improvement, outer motivation improvement, warning, God-centeredness, creation and remembrance of the covenant of faith and symbol development.

As a result of the importance of self-control in individual and social life and the role of religious instructions in its improvement, it is necessary to explain it from religious perspective according to the Holy Qur’an. The mechanisms could be helpful for individuals and educational institutions and other organizations involved in spiritual and social health.