The Power of Reward and Punishment: Lessons on Behavior Modification from the Quran
Behavior modification is a form of behavior therapy. B. F. Skinner illustrated that behavior can be molded through reinforcement and/or punishment. He observed that a reinforcer is an outcome that heightens the probability of behavior to repeat, while punishment is an outcome that diminishes the likelihood.
The Quran advocates for punishment in this life and the hereafter for wicked deeds and negative conduct. Nevertheless, in learning and behavior modification, short term and long term reward is significantly more potent than punishment.
“And what is the reward of goodness, but goodness.” (Quran 55:60)
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so — for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33:35)
We all understand that continuous rewards and recognition are important for motivating employees in the workplace. Similarly, Allah does not only reward His righteous servants in this world but also in Heaven.
“Whoever comes with a good deed will receive ten times as much, and whoever comes with an evil deed will be requited with no more than the like of it, and they shall not be wronged.” (Quran 6:160)
“Gardens of perpetual residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], ‘Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.’” (Surah Ar-Rad, Verse 23–24)
“And those who believed and whose descendants followed them in faith — We will join with them their descendants, and We will not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person, for what he earned, is retained.” (Surah Tur verse 21)
“They and their spouses — in shade, reclining on adorned couches. For them therein is fruit, and for them is whatever they request [or wish] [And] “Peace,” a word from a Merciful Lord.” (Surah Ya-Sin, 56–58)
“Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah.” (Surah Imran, Verse 15)
“He who has settled us in the home of duration out of His bounty. There touches us not in it any fatigue, and there touches us not in it weariness [of mind].” (Surah Fatir, Verse 35)
Forgiveness presents an opportunity to alter the behavior of individuals who make mistakes. The term “punishment” is reiterated 117 times in the Quran. Conversely, the term “forgiveness” is reiterated 234 times.
“Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.” (Quran 17:15)
“Surely, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed He is the most Forgiving, the Merciful” (Quran 39:53).
“Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness.” [Quran: 8:33]
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying:
Our Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the latter part of the night is left, and says: “Who supplicates Me so that I may answer him? Who asks Me so that I may give to him? Who asks Me forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” [Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari]
In some instances, certain individuals do not alter their unhealthy and negative behavior or habits even after being warned. In such cases, temporary punishment can be an important method to effect change in them.
“Or are you secure of those in the heaven that He (Allah) should not send down upon you a punishment? Then shall you know how was My warning.” [Quran 67.17]
“And we will surely let them taste the nearer punishment short of the greater punishment that perhaps they will repent.” (Quran 32:21)
Despite being warned and guided, some people’s behavior remains unchanged, and they repeatedly commit the same sins arrogantly. They deserve to receive a severe punishment.
“And certainly We have created for hell many of the jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones.” [Quran 7.179]
“Verily, those who belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists, sinners). Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hell-fire). Thus do We recompense the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)” [al-Araf 7:40–41]
“But those who disbelieve, for them will be the fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever! Therein they will cry: “Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.” (Allah will reply:) “Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper” [Fatir 35:36]
