Islamic concept of taqwa and its relationship with positive character traits

Abstract

This study explores the link between Islamic concept of Taqwa and positive character traits in Western psychology, specifically in Positive Psychology and moral development theories. This theoretical research seeks to gain insight in the similarities and differences between understanding, development and practice of the concept of moral character in Islamic moral psychology and modern psychological theories. This is a qualitative theoretical study with comparative analysis using textual analysis of the Qur’an, Islamic literature and contemporary psychological literature. Findings indicate that the Islamic concept of Taqwa is an integrated moral and spiritual understanding that unifies awareness, thought and behaviour in its understanding of divine accountability. It promotes and develops virtues such as honesty, patience, gratitude, self-control, justice and so on. Western psychological theories, particularly the Values in Action (VIA) measures of character strengths by Peterson and Seligman, (2004) on the other hand, single out empirically measurable traits that lead to mental health and social harmony. While the virtues noted are comparable, the approaches are different.  Islamic psychology uses the revelations and accountability as a foundation for it, while Western psychology uses human reasoning and as well as empirical evidences. The research also highlights a gap in the absence of integrated models of moral development that highlights both the spiritual and psychological aspects. This discussion adds that Taqwa offers an integrated moral direction that encompasses positive traits and gives them a spiritual and moral purpose.