In Islam, motivation, hope, and fear are seen as important psychological states that can influence an individual's behavior and spiritual well-being.Motivation in Islam is often linked to the concept of intention (niyyah), which is the underlying motivation or purpose behind an individual's actions. Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of having a pure and sincere intention in all actions, and this can serve as a powerful motivator for individuals to strive for excellence and seek the pleasure of Allah.Hope (raja) is another important psychological state in Islam, which refers to the expectation of reward and the anticipation of success. Islamic teachings encourage individuals to cultivate hope in Allah's mercy and forgiveness, and to have confidence in their ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.Fear (khawf) is also an important psychological state in Islam, which refers to the sense of awe and reverence that individuals feel towards Allah's power and majesty. Islamic teachings encourage individuals to turn a healthy fear of Allah's punishment, which can serve as a deterrent against sinful behavior and a motivator for seeking repentance and forgiveness.Overall, Islamic psychology recognizes the importance of motivation, hope, and fear in shaping an individual's behavior and spiritual well-being. Islamic teachings encourage individuals to cultivate a pure and sincere intention, to have confidence in their ability to succeed, and to maintain a healthy fear of Allah's punishment in order to achieve success and fulfillment in this life and the hereafter.
2. Motivation
Motivation is generally defined as a need or desire that energizes behaviour
and directs it towards a particular goal.
Motives were bestowed upon humans by Allah Almighty. These are the
fundamental components of human personality and behaviour.
Intrinsic motivation (Internal motivation) comes from within. It refers to when
you do something for its own sake because it aligns with your interests,
passions, or personal values.
Extrinsic motivation (External motivation) refers to external factors that drive
you to do something. For example, you could be motivated by extrinsic rewards
or negative consequences.
3. Types Of Motivation
Spiritual
The spiritual motivation
within us is an innate
aspect of our being,
and its fulfilment is our
ultimate objective in
life.
It directs us to
acknowledge Allah as
our Creator and
Sustainer, and to
worship and thank Him
forthe blessings He has
bestowed upon us.
Physiological
Allah has endowed
human beings with
certain physiological
motives or drives ,
primarily for thepurpose
of self - preservation of
the individual and the
human race .
Humans are driven to
fulfil their needs when
they are hungry,thirsty,
tired, hot, cold, or in
pain.
Psychological
Incentives: are external
factors in the environment
that influence individuals, by
attracting them andinducing
them to act in order to
obtain them.
Rewards and punishments:
are part of the Islamic system
and are mentioned often in
the Qur’an. Humans
frequently behave in order
to receive a reward or to
avoid a punishment.
4. Sources of Motivation inIslam
Believe that we as a holder of Amanah on earth, a Muslim must:
1. Work or efforts are a form of "Amal Salih" which is the key to the attainment
of true success in this world and the well being of the hereafter.
2. Work or task is a form of “Ibadah" to Allah as it is conformity with the divine
norms and values.
3. The rewards and punishments are not confined to this world, but extends
to the hereafter.
5. Hope
Hope is often equated with optimism, the
opposite of which is pessimism. An
optimist is one whose general disposition
is to expect the best in all things, like
seeing the glass 'half full' of water as
opposed to 'halfempty.’
Optimism is characterized by a positive
outlook in the present and the
expectation of a good outcome in the
future.
As believers, we should always hope that
things will turn out for the best, and we
should especially hope for Allah's mercy
and grace.
6. Hope in IslamicPerspective
Allah says : (O Prophet,) say, "O My servants, who have wronged their own souls: Do not despair of
Allah's mercy: surely Allah forgives all sins: He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Merciful. (Qur’an 39 : 53)
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said: If a disbeliever knew of all the mercy that is in the Hands of
Allah, he would not lose hope of entering paradise, and if a believer knew of all the punishment
that is present with Allah, he would not consider himself safe from the hellfire. (recorded by
Bukhari)
Anas reported that the Prophet (S.A.W) visited a young boy who was dying. The Prophet (S.A.W)
asked: How are you? The boy replied: O Messenger of Allah, I am in between the hope of Allah
and the fear of my sins. The Prophet (S.A.W) said: The like of these two qualities do not unite in the
heart of a servant except that Allah gives him what he hopes for and protects him from what he
fears. (recorded by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mậjah)
7. Fear
Fear is generally considered a
negative emotion that occursin
response to a threat of danger
or harm.
This is a natural response meant
to protect the human being
from pain , injury , or death .
8. Fear of Allah
When someone fears Allah, he will seek refuge in Him, try to get closer to Him and
attempt to obtain His pleasure by acts of obedience.
Allah says : So flee unto Allah: I am an open warner from Him to you. (Qur'an 51 : 50)
This fleeing to Allah means escaping from the grasp of disbelief , shirk , and sin , by
repenting and seeking the forgiveness and mercy of Allah . In effect , one is escaping
from Allah's punishment and going to His mercy .
There are many verses in the Qur'an that direct the believer to fear Allah and not to
fear other human beings or the creation .
Allah says : O Believers, give up the devouring of interest by doubling and redoubling
it, and fear Allah: it is expected that you will achieve (true) success. (Qur’an 3 : 130)
9. Taqwa Model
External or internal stimuli
Fear of Allah
and avoiding
the forbidden
(Taqwa)
Behaviour that
removes or end
the previous
state
Pleasant feeling
for the end of
the state of fear
In the Islamic perspective, everything to be achieved must be to please Allah by do
what has been told and abandon the prohibited. In the past 30 years, several models
of Islamic motivation were proposed by Muslim philosophers and psychologists. One
of them related to the Taqwa (Fear to Allah) is known as Taqwa Model.
10. References:
Utz, A. (2011). Psychology from the Islamic Perspective.
Ayten, A., & Hussain, A. M. (2020). Psychology and Islam. MÜ İLAHİYAT
FAKÜLTESİ VAKFI YAYINLARI.
Khair, Z., Ahmad, N., & Abd Hamid, M. A. (2016, April). Motivation in Islamic
Perspective: A Review. In Proceeding of 1st International Research Conference
on Economics Business and Social Sciences, Penang (pp. 12-13).