A Summary of “Human Motivation: An Islamic Perspective” by Shafiq Falah Alawneh, PhD
In modern conversations around self-discipline, purpose, or even healing, the word motivation often arises—flattened, made mechanical. We speak of incentives, behavior, achievement, willpower. Rarely, though, do we ask: what should motivation serve?
In his paper “Human Motivation: An Islamic Perspective,” published in The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Dr. Shafiq Falah Alawneh presents an approach grounded in the Qur’anic understanding of human nature. In this paradigm, motivation is not simply a tool for self-enhancement. It is inseparable from iman (faith), which anchors our purpose and orients our striving.
📖 Read the original paper here
A Qur’an Centered View of Motivation
While modern psychology categorizes human motivation into instinct, drive, reinforcement, or achievement models, Dr. Alawneh returns us to a foundational truth: the human being was created for a purpose. That purpose, as expressed in the Qur’an, is to worship Allah.
From this perspective, motivation is not morally neutral. It gains its direction and meaning through the lens of worship, defined broadly as living in accordance with Allah’s commands. Our behavioral choices are not merely expressions of desire or conditioning, but acts of moral significance.
Alawneh emphasizes that this requires knowledge (‘ilm) and free will. Together, they form the basis of moral responsibility. The human being is equipped to distinguish between good and evil, between what is allowed (halal) and what is forbidden (haram). This ability to discern and choose is not only a gift, but also a trust for which we are accountable.
Iman as the Root of Motivation
Iman is not simply belief in the abstract. In Alawneh’s model, it is a motivating force—a psychological and spiritual state that activates behavior, sustains commitment, and purifies intention. It energizes action, anchors the self, and harmonizes the pursuit of both worldly and eternal success.
Alawneh writes that iman “activates behavior, maintains behavior, and purifies it from all impurities”. It works in tandem with knowledge and free will to orient the human being toward behavior that is pleasing to Allah, while restraining the self from that which incurs divine displeasure.
This understanding reframes motivation entirely. It is no longer about productivity or success alone, but about fulfilling our covenant with our Creator. Even our most mundane actions become ethically charged when viewed through the lens of iman.
Mapping Motivation: A Qur’anic Framework for Choice
Dr. Alawneh includes a diagram in his paper that offers a visual summary of how iman operates as the central force in human motivation. It’s not just a theoretical framework—it’s a model of how we live, choose, and are held accountable.
This diagram begins with the foundation: iman, the spiritual anchor that frames our understanding of purpose. From here, we are reminded that creation itself is intentional—God created everything for a purpose, and the human being’s highest purpose is to worship his Lord.
Worship, in this sense, is not restricted to ritual, but is expressed by leading a life according to divine guidance—living within the bounds of what is allowed and avoiding what is forbidden.
The lower half of the diagram introduces the knowledge motive—we must first know what is halal and haram, and then reflect on the consequences of each path. This is followed by the need for observation and control, both internal (conscience, self-awareness) and external (social and divine accountability). These shape the decision-making process, which culminates in choosing between available alternatives.
At the root of all this lies free will. Our choices are not coerced—but they are consequential. Once a decision is made, the diagram splits into two outcomes:
- If the choice aligns with what is allowed, it results in psychological security—a deep inner sense of harmony and stability.
- If the choice contradicts divine guidance, it brings fear, anxiety, and tension—not as punishment alone, but as a natural outcome of misalignment with our fitrah and purpose.
In this way, iman is not a passive state but a deeply practical force. It shapes how we know, how we choose, and how we live with those choices. The diagram beautifully illustrates that Islamic motivation is not simply about doing the right thing—it’s about knowing why it matters and feeling its impact within.
The Role of Reward and Punishment
Alawneh emphasizes the Qur’anic approach to consequences—a central part of the motivational structure. While modern psychology tends to highlight immediate reinforcement, the Islamic model places profound weight on delayed consequences, often in the Hereafter.
Yet this delay does not diminish their impact. The Qur’an describes these outcomes vividly—from the pleasures of Paradise to the torments of Hell. These are not abstract metaphors; they are presented as real, consequential, and deeply motivating.
The Qur’an addresses all four kinds of behavioral consequences familiar in psychological models:
- Positive reward (e.g., gardens, companionship, mercy)
- Negative reward (e.g., safety from fear, forgiveness)
- Positive punishment (e.g., hellfire, chastisement)
- Negative punishment (e.g., deprivation from mercy or guidance)
Together, these serve not only to direct behavior but to educate the soul and awaken moral awareness.
Returning from Missteps: The Mercy of Tawbah
What I found particularly grounding in this paper is its clear-eyed view of human nature. Alawneh acknowledges that we are not angels—we make mistakes, we fall short. But in the Islamic tradition, motivation isn’t only about striving for progress; it’s also about the invitation to return. Even our missteps can become meaningful when they lead us back to Allah.
Tawbah (repentance) functions as a powerful motivational force in this framework. It invites the individual to repair, to grow, and to realign. The Qur’an assures us that sincere repentance is not only accepted, but often results in transformed reward (Qur’an 25:70). In this sense, motivation in Islam is both forward-facing and redemptive.
A Personal Reflection
As my journey into Islam deepens, I find myself revisiting long-held beliefs—especially those shaped by years of working in personal development, behavior design, and habit formation. These frameworks have served me well in many contexts. But in Islamic spaces—whether in small groups, teaching circles, or one-on-one coaching—I’ve noticed that the tools don’t always translate. The methods sometimes feel incomplete, as though they speak to the mind but not always to the soul.
This has led me to search more intentionally: how can we integrate the best of what we’ve learned with the depth and wisdom of our tradition? How do we set meaningful goals—not just for personal or professional growth, but for spiritual refinement?
Reading Dr. Alawneh’s work has reminded me that motivation, as I’ve understood it, may need to be reframed entirely. Perhaps there’s more space than I’ve allowed for concepts like reward and punishment, the shaping power of consequence, and the weight of the unseen—Paradise and Hell—not just as doctrine, but as real forces in our ethical psychology.
I’m still exploring these questions, and I don’t claim to have clear answers yet. But I’ll be sharing what I discover here as the journey unfolds. Thank you for walking this path with me.
Citation:
Alawneh, Shafiq Falah. “Human Motivation: An Islamic Perspective.” American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 15, no. 4 (1998): 19–40. Available here
