Identifying the Indicators of Moral Self-Control Based on the Teachings of Nahj al-Balagha: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the indicators of moral self-control based on the teachings of Nahj al-Balagha through a qualitative interpretive approach. This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 experts and scholars in Islamic ethics, religious studies, and Nahj al-Balagha in Tehran. Purposeful sampling was applied and continued until theoretical saturation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software. Data validity was ensured through participant verification, peer debriefing, and systematic coding documentation. The results yielded three main themes: “moral self-awareness,” “management of impulses and motivations,” and “practical commitment to moral values.” Each theme included subthemes such as self-knowledge, self-monitoring, anger control, moderation of desire, commitment to promises, and avoidance of hidden sins. These indicators reflect profound interpretations of moral principles embedded in Nahj al-Balagha. This study reveals that moral self-control in Nahj al-Balagha is not merely a psychological skill but a multi-dimensional ethical-spiritual virtue encompassing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. These indicators can inform Islamic educational programming and contribute to the development of culturally grounded models of self-control.