Control and regulation of morals refers to the system that guides human behaviour so that people act with goodness, justice, and discipline while avoiding evil, harm, and corruption.
In Islam, morals (akhlāq) are not left without guidance—they are regulated by divine teachings, conscience, and social responsibility.
1. Divine control (Revelation).
The primary regulator of morals is the guidance from Allah through revelation.
The Quran provides clear rules about:
What is right and wrong
Justice and fairness
Honesty and trustworthiness
Prohibition of ظلم (oppression), lying, and corruption.
Allah commands believers to:
> “Indeed Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives…” (16:90).
This shows that morality is not random—it is structured by divine law.
2. Self-control (Conscience and Taqwa)
A strong moral system depends on self-discipline.
Islam teaches taqwa (God-consciousness), which means:
Controlling anger
Resisting temptation
Acting as if Allah is always watching.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
> “The strongest among you is the one who controls himself when angry.”
3. Social control (Society and accountability)
Morals are also regulated by society through:
Encouraging good (amr bil ma’ruf)
Preventing evil (nahy ‘anil munkar)
Laws, justice systems, and leadership.
A healthy society promotes good behaviour and discourages wrongdoing.
4. Legal and ethical boundaries.
Islam sets clear boundaries:
Halal (permissible)
Haram (forbidden)
Rights of people (family, neighbours, orphans, workers)
These boundaries prevent moral chaos and injustice.
5. Accountability in the Hereafter.
A powerful form of moral control is belief in Judgment Day:
Every action will be accounted for
Nothing is hidden from Allah.
This creates inner discipline even when no human is watching.
Summary.
Control and regulation of morals in Islam come from:
Allah’s guidance (Qur’an and Sunnah)
Inner conscience and taqwa
Society and law
Belief in accountability.
Together, these ensure that human behaviour remains balanced, just, and beneficial for individuals and society.
Tags
Islamic Article