INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
fields of family studies, developmental psychology, education and religious ethics emphasise that character
influences not only individual behaviour but also relational patterns such as empathy, conflict regulation, mutual
respect, and long-term commitment (Hally & Haifa, 2025). However, theoretical engagement between Islamic
ethical thought and Western developmental theory remains limited, despite both traditions offering sophisticated
frameworks for understanding the moral and psychological dimensions of human conduct. By situating this
discussion within an interdisciplinary lens, the present analysis seeks to enlighten how diverse epistemological
traditions conceptualise character, and how these insights may be applied to strengthen marital relationships and
family well-being in pluralistic societies.
Epistemology of Character According to Islamic and Western Scholars
Character, as a theoretical construct, has long attracted scholarly interest from Muslim and Western intellectual
traditions. Muslim scholars in fields such as theology (ʿaqīdah), jurisprudence (fiqh), ethics (akhlāq), and
philosophy have examined character as a core dimension of human perfection and spiritual elevation. In these
traditions, character is conceptualised not only as social behaviour but also as an expression of inner moral states
shaped by faith, discipline, and divine guidance (Abdul Rahim, 2019). According to the APA Dictionary of
Psychology (2015) character is defined as the totality of an individual’s attributes and personality traits,
particularly their characteristic moral, social, and religious attitudes. Character is often used synonymously with
personality. The Collins GEM Dictionary (2021) further interprets character as the mixture of traits or qualities
that define an individual, object, or place. These attributes influence how a person responds to emerging
situations, interacts with others, and manages internal emotional processes. Etymologically, the term derives
from the Greek kharakter, which originally referred to an engraved mark, symbolically representing something
that imprints itself clearly and enduringly (Etymonline, n.d.). The term evolved to encompass inner dispositions
that shape personality and behaviour (Abdul Rahim, 2019).
From a psychological standpoint, character is understood as a constellation of habitual behavioural patterns,
emotional tendencies, and personality traits that form stable aspects of an individual's identity. Character also
represents society’s evaluative judgment of whether certain behaviours are morally acceptable or unacceptable
(Oyserman, Coon, & Kemmelmeier, 2002). Thus, character development is not merely an internal phenomenon
but is also shaped by cultural norms, social expectations, and environmental influences.
In Islamic epistemology, the foundation of character is revelation, with the Qur’an and Sunnah functioning as
authoritative sources that outline moral principles and ethical behaviour. Reason (ʿaql) and human experience
complement revelation in shaping character formation, while scholarly interpretation (ijtihād) refines practical
ethical frameworks (al-Ghazali, 2017; Nugrahaeti & Firdaus, 2025). Consequently, character encompasses
values, habits, and spiritual dispositions that are manifested both outwardly through behaviour and inwardly
through moral conscience and spiritual awareness. This duality namely external conduct and internal spiritual
orientation distinguish Islamic conceptions of character from secular, behaviourist, or purely psychological
models, thereby offering a comprehensive model applicable to marital relationships and family life.
The Concept Of Character Development
The concept of character development refers to a holistic and continuous process of cultivating moral, emotional,
intellectual, and social qualities that shape an individual’s behaviour and identity. Rooted in both philosophical
and psychological traditions, character development emphasizes the deliberate formation of virtues such as
integrity, responsibility, compassion, and self-discipline, which guide individuals in navigating life’s challenges
and moral choices. This process is influenced by multiple factors, including spiritual beliefs, family upbringing,
education, and socio-cultural environments, all of which interact to mould a person’s ethical dispositions and
decision-making patterns. In contemporary scholarship, character development is increasingly viewed as a
dynamic interplay between internal dispositions and external contexts, underscoring its significance in fostering
personal well-being, healthy relationships, and socially responsible citizenship. Accordingly, a comparative
exploration between the Islamic perspective and the Western perspective on character development offers
valuable insights for enriching both theoretical understanding and practical applications.
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