The Methods of Moral Education from the Islamic Viewpoint

God Almighty created the man and prepared the means for guiding him by sending prophets and divine books. The need for morality and right deeds as well as the man’s innate tendency towards virtues, happiness and perfection have caused God to make the ways for achieving them available to all human beings. In Islam’s view, morality is a component of religion, and takes its basics, principles and methods from religion. Through precisely explaining the basics, principles and methods of moral education, Islam plays a major role in reforming the man’s mind and soul. Islam presents complete examples of virtue and perfection to the man, leaving him free in choosing among them. Besides presenting the basics, Islam has a marvelous effect in presenting the principles and methods of acquiring moral virtues and removing moral vices. To recognize the basics and principles, Islam has stated some methods the most important of which are as follows: the method for presenting insight, the method of studying and thinking, the method of remembering and reminding divine blessings, the method of equilibrium and balance, the method of forebearance, the method of creating motivation and the exemplar method. Through exerting these methods, the edu cator and the educated can acquire moral virtues and remove moral vices and obstacles, attempting to execute divine instructions in the moral domain.