Abstract

The main Purpose of this study is to explore the Nature of piety from an anthropological perspective by reflecting on the Qur'an and comparing piety construct with self-control. Methodologically, conceptual analysis was used. Verses from the Holy Quran that share the root of taqwa were taken into consideration. Based on anthropological foundations of piety in holy Quran, the process of piety entails a goal-oriented valuing of options and making preferences at the moment of selection. The selection can be based on instinctive, intellectual or religious criteria but it contains all three phases of diagnosis, preference, and practical commitment to preferred option. This structure of piety is comparable with self-control. Overlap of Islamic and psychologic perspectives in explaining the basic structure of piety and self-control is very impressive. Although Piety as a monotheistic life concept will ultimately separate from self-control but overlapping of anthropological elements of these two concepts are essential.