Qur’an and Social Sciences

Qur’an and Social Sciences

The Foundations of Chastity in the Qurʾan and Ḥadīth: With an Emphasis on Its Individual and Social Functions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
razieh sadeghi 1
Fatameh Dastranj 2
ali hasan beigi 3
1 Master's student, Quran and Hadith Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran (Corresponding Author)
3 Professor, Department of Theology, Arak University, Arak, Iran
10.22034/arq.2025.519758.1472
Abstract
Chastity, as one of the foundational values in the Islamic moral system, is a multidimensional concept rooted in Qurʾanic teachings and ḥadīth traditions. This value, signifying self-restraint, purity, and adherence to divine limits, not only safeguards human dignity but also regulates social relations along healthy and ethically grounded lines. A chaste mode of life, as a balanced paradigm of living, has acquired particular significance in contemporary Islamic societies by fostering moral self-awareness and resistance against countercultural pressures. The article seeks to elucidate the Qurʾanic and ḥadīth-based foundations of chastity and to examine its functions in individual and social life, with the aim of presenting a coherent framework for employing this value in addressing moral and social challenges, as well as proposing strategies for its reinforcement against cultural threats. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, the author concludes that the foundations of chastity in the Qurʾan and ḥadīth consist of faith, God-consciousness (taqwā), self-restraint, self-knowledge, and purification of the soul. These foundations transform chastity into both an educational and a social strategy: on the individual level, it leads to psychological tranquility, reduction of anxiety, enhancement of self-esteem, and avoidance of high-risk behaviors; on the social level, chastity, by establishing clear behavioral boundaries, strengthens public trust and social security while reducing harms such as betrayal, harassment, and moral deviance. These findings demonstrate the pivotal role of chastity in sustaining the family, reinforcing cultural cohesion, and confronting challenges such as the penetration of non-Islamic cultures and the weakening of traditional institutions.
Keywords
Foundations of Chastity
Qurʾan and Ḥadīth
Faith
God-consciousness (Taqwā)
Self-Knowledge
Self-Restraint
Self-Purification

Subjects

Holy Qurʾan
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  • Receive Date 29 April 2025
  • Revise Date 25 July 2025
  • Accept Date 18 August 2025