12. What is Willpower?
1.It is the inner strength to make
a decision, take action, and
handle and execute any aim or
task until it is accomplished,
regardless of inner and outer
resistance, discomfort or
difficulties.
13. What is Willpower?
2.It bestows the ability to
overcome laziness, temptations
and negative habits, and to
carry out actions, even if they
require effort, are unpleasant
and tedious or are contrary to
one's habits.
14. What is Willpower?
3.It is the rejection of instant
gratification in favor of
something better. It is the
giving up of instant pleasure
and satisfaction for a higher
and better goal.
15.
16. Willpower in the Quran
Sabr
(Patience)
4. Istiqamah
(steadfastness)
2. Irada
(intention)
3. Azm
(firm
determination)
1. Taqwa
(God-
consciousness)
17. Willpower in the Quran
1. Taqwa:
• Initial Motivation
• Power to resist
• Protection from evil & sin
• Self-Restraint
• God-Consciousness & Piety
• Mentioned 151 times in the Quran
• At least 10 benefits: Source of success, companionship
with Allah, reward, status in Akhira, protection
18. Willpower in the Quran
2. Irada:
• Initial Motivation
• Desire, Intention, Wish
• Mental planning
“Those who do wish for the (things of) the
Hereafter, and strive therefore with all due
striving, and have Faith,- they are the ones whose
striving is acceptable (to Allah).”
(Al-Isra 17:19)
19. Willpower in the Quran
3. Azm:
• Long-term Motivation
• Determination & Resolve
• Purposefulness & Action Plan
• Requires Trust (Tawakkul) in Allah
• 5 Great Prophets of Azm
“Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all)
messengers of inflexible purpose ...”
(Al-Ahqaf 46:35)
20. Willpower in the Quran
4. Istiqamah:
• Long-term Motivation
• Steadfastness
• Requires Patience (Sabr)
• Direction: Straight Path
• Special People of Allah
“Those who say, "Our Lord is Allah", and, further, stand straight and
steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye
not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the
Garden (of Bliss), the which ye were promised!”(Al-Fussilat 41:30)
21. Willpower According to Prophet Muhammad
“The strong person is not
the one who can wrestle
someone else down. The
strong person is the one
who can control himself
when he is angry.”
(Bukhari)
22.
23. How Does Willpower Work?
Willpower = Moral Muscles
More Exercise -> Stronger Muscles -> Stronger Body
More Challenges -> More Self-control -> More Willpower
24. How to Challenge Your Willpower Daily
• Don’t play your favorite video game for a day or two
• Read non-school related book 15 minutes daily
• Drink water when thirsty, in spite of your desire to have
a soft drink
• Walk up the stairs, instead of taking the elevator
• Get down from the bus one station before your
destination, and walk the rest of the way.
• Resist the temptation to respond to rude behaviour
• If you are addicted to chocolate or ice cream, don't have
any, for a day or two
• Fast from Facebook, Twitter and SMS for a day
• Try to pray your Salah on time, specially Fajr
• Take initiative to do someone a favour
25. How to Develop Strong Willpower?
6 Essentials for Willpower to
Nurture: ACT or DIE
A ttitude (Positive Outlook)
C onsistency (Commitment & Patience)
T aqwa (God-Consciousness to Resist)
D iscpline (Pro-activeness)
I hsan (Improvement & Evaluation)
E nvironment (Friends & Support of Jamah)
26. How to Develop Strong Willpower?
Willpower
(Personal
Motivation)
Changepower
(Community
Support)
Tawfiq
(Ability &
Blessings)
Powerful
Results
Successful
Muslims
Extraordinary
Leaders
Movement of
Positive
Change
Vibrant &
Healthy
Society
27.
28. The Willpower Instinct, by PT
blogger Kelly McGonigal
Willpower: Rediscovering the
Greatest Human Strength, by Roy
Baumeister and John Tierney
The Power of Habit, by Charles
Duhigg
Changing for Good, by James
Prochaska, Carlos DiClementi, and John
Norcross
Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit
Change Success, by Meg Selig
Change or Die, by Alan Deutschman
Resources on Willpower
Editor's Notes
In the 60s a sociologist called Walter Mischel was interested in how young children resist instant gratification; he offered them the choice of a marshmallow now, or two if they could wait 15 minutes. Years later, he tracked some of the kids down, and made a startling discovery.
Mischel's findings have recently been confirmed by a remarkable long-term study in New Zealand, concluded in 2010. For 32 years, starting at birth, a team of international researchers tracked 1,000 people, rating their observed and reported self-control and willpower in a different ways.
What they found was that, even taking into account differences of intelligence, race and social class, those with high self-control – those who, in Mischel's experiment, held out for two marshmallows later – grew into healthier, happier and wealthier adults.
Those with low willpower, the study discovered, fared less well academically. They were more likely to be in low-paying jobs with few savings, to be overweight, to have drug or alcohol problems, and to have difficulty maintaining stable relationships (many were single parents). They were also nearly four times more likely to have a criminal conviction. "Willpower," concludes Baumeister, "is one of the most important predictors of success in life."
Umar asked Ka'b the meaning of 'taqwa,' as Ka'b was renowned for his deep understanding of the Qur'an Al Kareem.
Kaab (R) then inquired from Umar (R), whether he had walked through a thorny bush path with his cloak. Umar (R) replied that he had done so on numerous occasions. Kaab (R) asked Umar (R) to describe his movements through this thorny path. Umar (R) replied that he moved very cautiously, so as not to tear his clothing. Kaab (R) said that was the description and the meaning of Taqwa.
The path that inculcates and embraces a character of Taqwa is one that must be carefully and cautiously treaded. On this path one must be completely aware of oneself and one’s surroundings, to be disciplined with the correct action and behavior which will achieve one’s closeness to Allah.
- Hadith about Niyyah (intentions)
- Hadith about Niyyah (intentions)
- Hadith about Niyyah (intentions)
Hadith about controlling tongue and private parts
Hadith about fasting
-Ask for examples
Commitment & Patience - The word 'Sabr' patience or its derivatives has been mentioned in the Quran over 100 times. Three types of Sabr: In obedience to Allah, staying away from disobedience, and in hardships that you don’t control
Consistency: The best (act of worship) in the sight of God is that which is done regularly." – Bukhari
Willingness to change for the better (bad habits) – “First we make our habits, then our habits make us” – Charles Noble
The Prophet told his close companion: “By Allah! Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!”
Surround yourself with friends who are sincere and helpful: “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look (carefully) whom you choose to befriend.” [Ahmad]
Positive attitude / Optimism – focus on past and potential successes. “After every darkness comes dawn” – Khabbab bin al-Arat
