Concept of Self-Control in Quran
Among such instructions are those about behaviors and conducts that boost or undermine self-control. If one learns about factors that lead to the weakening of self-control, he can avoid them.
Self-control is a kind of management of one’s self. It is defined as the ability to follow reasonable desire, choose a behavior based on the situation, and delay fulfilment of a desire with the accepted social norms without the direct interference and guidance of someone else. According to religious teachings, controlling the self is sometimes manifested in abandoning sins and sometimes in fulfilling religious obligations and its outcome is Taqwa (God-fearing).
Sometimes it is displayed in confronting inner hardships and the difficulties of life and sometimes in social coexistence, and in both cases it leads to patience and fortitude.
Most of the Quranic verses about self-control are related to the Nafs (self) and heart. It is the heart that should be careful and has control over itself in order to avoid going astray. The consequences of lack of self-control harm the person himself.
The Quran says in Verse 164 of Surah Al-Ana’am: “All one's evil deeds are against one's own soul.”
In general, everyone earns only to its account no one shall bear another person’s burden.
The Holy Quran swears 11 times in Surah Ash-Shams to stress that every soul has been inspired with knowledge of evil and piety. (Surah Ash-Shams, Verses 1-8)
So if a person acts upon the teachings of the Fitrat (nature) and keeps his Nafs pure via self-control, he will certainly prosper but not if he fails to control himself in the face of evils:
“Those who purify their souls will certainly have everlasting happiness and those who corrupt their souls will certainly be deprived (of happiness).” (Verses 9-10 of Surah Ash-Shams)
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Self-control is the ability to control and check passions and keep calm in the face of desires or in critical conditions. It is not repressing desires and passions but having control over our reactions and expressions of emotions. Those with weak self-control are powerless in the face of desires and, as a result, their intellect is taken captive by their desires and they take measures that cause deep regrets.
According to Imam Ali (AS), “Many a slavish mind is subservient to overpowering longings.”
And the Holy Quran says: “Have you seen the one who has chosen his desires as his lord? God has knowingly caused him to go astray, sealed his ears and heart and veiled his vision. Who besides God can guide him? Will they, then, not take heed?” (Verse 23 of Surah Al-Jathiyah)
