Self-Control in Islam and its Psychological Aspect

Abstract

The idea of self control is getting captivated more and more by Psychologists but for quite a long time, psychology was inclined more towards the issues and ideas such as, self-esteem, intelligence, happiness etc. No doubt these ideas are important and have value in human life but the missing aspect from all these factors is will power or self-control. The basic teachings of Islam centered on the concept of self-control or in other word self-restraint. This study focuses on the essentials and the benefits of self-control in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah while discussing the psychological aspect of human life in this regard. At a time when the fallout from uncontrolled expenditure and uninhibited consumption is fueling a national malaise, the need of Islamic teachings arises to deliver a comprehensive investigation of the fundamental problem of our time: how to save ourselves from what we want or desire. This strike a chord that while more calories, sex, and intoxicants are easily accessible than ever before, critical social constraints have eroded, constructing a world that deeply tests the confines of human willpower. This study draws a vibrant image of the many-sided problem of desire and conveys a blueprint for how one can sensibly stay away from a battle of self-destruction by referring to history, literature, psychology and philosophy of Islam.