Human Motivation

Abstract

This article seeks to elaborate on the Islamic understanding of humanmotivation. It discusses the importance of understanding motivation asa guide for explaining human behavior. It reviews various conceptionsof motivation available within the different schools of psychology.Motivation in Islam, the paper argues, derives from knowledge abouthuman origins, about God and Man’s relationship with God and theworld around him. Free will and knowledge are important componentsof human motivation. Iman (faith), the paper insists, is the most basicof human motivations. It is a profound psychological state that influencesall forms of motivations. The article concludes by identifying theimplications of motivation to education and learning.