Discipline underpins high-performance behaviour, and sport psychology has examined it through self-regulation, motivation, resilience, and moral behaviour. Religion has also been studied in athletes, but mainly as a coping resource, an identity marker, or a participation constraint rather than as a self-regulatory system. This narrative review examines how Islamic ethical teachings intersect with established discipline constructs in sport, and proposes the Prophetic Athlete Discipline Model (PADM), which links spiritual, behavioural, moral, and physical dimensions of athlete discipline. Scopus and PubMed were searched purposively in September 2026 using three strings covering religion and sport psychology, Muslim athletes, and Islamic ethical constructs in sport, supplemented by citation tracking from two anchor reviews. Of the (N = 2,286) records screened on title, abstract, and keywords, (n = 70) were retained. Islamic primary sources were handled separately and restricted to Quranic verses, authenticated Prophetic traditions, and established works of Islamic ethics. The retained literature is dominated by cross-sectional and qualitative designs, contains one longitudinal study (n = 1) and three intervention studies (n = 3), and is concentrated in Western settings. Across four domains, Islamic constructs correspond functionally with intention-based motivation, ritual and self-control, moral identity, and recovery behaviour. Qualifying evidence is also present: negative religious coping is associated with adverse pre-competition emotion, the protective component of religiosity appears existential rather than devotional, and Ramadan observance reduces sleep and high-intensity performance. Islamic teachings can be read as a candidate self-regulatory architecture rather than a peripheral cultural variable, but PADM is untested. Its value depends on whether its domains explain variance beyond general religiosity and existing psychological constructs. Instruments now exist to test that.
Abaïdia, A.-E., Daab, W., & Bouzid, M. A. (2020). Effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50(5), 1009-1026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01257-0
Agormedah, E. K., Quansah, F., Srem-Sai, M., Ankomah, F., Hagan, J. E., Jr., & Schack, T. (2023). Reproducibility of the brief religious coping inventory with African athletes' sample using ordinal factor analytical approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 1038202. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1038202
Ahmad, A. S., Diah, N. M., Chik, W. M. Y. W., & Rahim, B. H. A. (2023). Maqasid al-Shari'ah and sport: What it means to the practising Muslims. Journal of Fatwa Management and Research, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol28no1.477
Al-Bukhari, M. ibn Isma'il. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (M. M. Khan, Trans.). Darussalam.
Al-Dafrawi, A. S. A. (2020). An Islamic viewpoint on doping in sports: An analytical study. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.102.07
Alfano, V., Guarino, M., & Rotondo, F. (2023). In hoc signo vinces: An exploratory study on the impact of religion on violence in sport. Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41996-023-00115-1
Amjad, M., Cavallario, J. M., Harris, N. A., & Welch Bacon, C. E. (2024). Muslim collegiate student-athletes' experience with fasting during Ramadan while participating in sport. Journal of Athletic Training, 59(5), 474-486. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0363.23
Azizi, B., Mohammadi, M., & Deimary, N. (2021). The study of chivalry philosophy, Islamic generosity and moral teachings in athletic and gymnasium sports in Zurkhaneh. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2020.1813797
Boardley, I. D., & Kavussanu, M. (2007). Development and validation of the Moral Disengagement in Sport Scale. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29(5), 608-628. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.29.5.608
Chamari, K., & Briki, W. (2025). Training and competing during Ramadan: Practical recommendations for athletes and coaches. La Tunisie Medicale, 103(7), 868-876. https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i7.5757
Chaouachi, A., Leiper, J. B., Chtourou, H., Aziz, A. R., & Chamari, K. (2012). The effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on athletic performance: Recommendations for the maintenance of physical fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(Suppl. 1), S53-S73. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.698297
Djemai, H., Hammad, R., Qarra, S. A., & Dabayebeh, I. M. (2020). Self-coping strategies among Jordanian athletes during Ramadan fasting: A questionnaire proposal. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.105569
Eryücel, M. E., Ceyhun, S., Eryücel, S., Sahan, H., Turna, B., Yildirim, S., & Erdogan, I. H. (2024). Psychological needs in sports, spirituality index of well-being, and motivation in sports. Religions, 15(8), 989. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15080989
Fernandez, N. A., Schnitker, S. A., & Houltberg, B. J. (2016). Charitable sporting events as a context for building adolescent generosity: Examining the role of religiousness and spirituality. Religions, 7(3), 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel7030035
Fitouri, C., Yaakoubi, A., Dellal, A., Aloui, A., Latiri, I., Chamari, K., & Ben Jomaa, H. (2025). Ramadan and sport: A pilot study on the perspectives of professionals and athletes in diverse cultural contexts. La Tunisie Medicale, 103(7), 891-898. https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i7.5795
Ghaffar, T., Ubaldi, F., Valeriani, F., & Romano Spica, V. (2025). A review of the impact of intermittent Ramadan fasting on wellbeing, nutrition and physical performance in different sports. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 67, 585-598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.03.052
Hagan, J. E., Jr. (2021). Investigating pre-competition-related discrete emotions and unaccustomed religious coping among elite student-athletes: Implications for reflexive practice. Religions, 12(3), 149. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12030149
Harun, M. F., & Mohd. Taib, M. (2025). 'Putting an Islamic scholar's hat on psychologist': A framework for integrating Islamic concepts into psychological research. Asian Journal of Islamic Psychology, 2(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.23917/ajip.v2i1.7812
Hussain, U., & Cunningham, G. B. (2024). The Muslim community and sport scholarship: A scoping review to advance sport management research. European Sport Management Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2022.2134434
Khan, W., Ali, A., Khan, S., & Yazdani, N. (2020). Islamic perspective regarding the promotion of health and participation in sports activities. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.101.20
Liu, S. (2026). Religious practices as mental skills in sport. In Religion and sport psychology. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-92-0278-2_3
Liu, S., Noh, Y.-E., & Kim, J. (2026). Mantra meditation in sport: A scoping review of its use as a mental training and coping strategy for psychological well-being. Australian Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2026.2700236
Liu, S., Noh, Y.-E., Mahfooz, M., & Hassan, M. F. (2025). Spirituality, religion, and sports injury: A systematic review. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(5), 3592-3612. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02323-5
Matz, L. (2023). In defense of religion-sport separation in coaching. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. https://doi.org/10.1080/00948705.2023.2176860
McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. B. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135(1), 69-93. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014213
Mocek, P., & Franc, J. (2026). Spirituality and religiosity in the sources of meaning in life and meaningfulness among athletes in Israel: An exploratory study. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-026-02604-7
Mohammadi, M., Azizi, B., & Deimary, N. (2023). The role of ancient sports and Zurkhaneh in ethical promoting and religious virtues. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2022.2130419
Nicaise, V., & Kahan, D. (2013). Psychological changes among Muslim students participating in a faith-based school physical activity program. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 84(4), 522-529. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2013.839933
Noh, Y.-E., & Shahdan, S. (2020). A systematic review of religion/spirituality and sport: A psychological perspective. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 46, 101603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101603
Noh, Y.-E., & Shahdan, S. (2022). A model for formulating the relationship between religion and sport performance: A grounded theory approach. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 20(3), 661-676. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.1891123
Noh, Y.-E., Zaki, F., & Danaee, M. (2024). The impact of religious-psychological factors on self-perceived sport performance among religious athletes in Malaysia. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Article 102612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102612
Noh, Y.-E., Zaki, F., Teo, E. W., & Danaee, M. (2023). The Athletic Religious Faith Scale: Part II. Development and initial validation. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231204682
Oglesby, L. W., Gallucci, A. R., Wynveen, C., Ylitalo, K., & Benson, N. (2021). The relationship between spiritual well-being and burnout in collegiate athletic trainers. Journal of Athletic Training, 56(5), 518-528. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0105-20
Pelletier, L. G., Rocchi, M. A., Vallerand, R. J., Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2013). Validation of the revised Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-II). Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(3), 329-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.12.002
Proios, M., & Proios, I. (2017). The influence of religiosity on moral judgment in sport. Social Sciences, 6(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010005
Rahim, B. H. A., Diah, N. M., Jani, H. M., & Ahmad, A. S. (2019). Islam and sport: From human experiences to revelation. Intellectual Discourse.
Robbi, A. A. M., & Yunus, S. M. (2024). Challenges of 'awrah coverage for Muslim women athletes in Malaysia: A qualitative review. Intellectual Discourse, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.31436/id.v32i1.1940
Rodek, J., Sekulic, D., & Pasalic, E. (2009). Can we consider religiousness as a protective factor against doping behavior in sport? Journal of Religion and Health, 48(4), 445-453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-008-9207-9
Ronkainen, N. J., Tikkanen, O., Littlewood, M., & Nesti, M. S. (2015). An existential perspective on meaning, spirituality and authenticity in athletic careers. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2014.926970
Roy, J., Hamidan, S., & Singh, R. (2011a). Temporal patterns of subjective experiences and self-regulation during Ramadan fasting among elite archers: A qualitative analysis. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34755
Roy, J., Hwa, O. C., Singh, R., Aziz, A. R., & Jin, C. W. (2011b). Self-generated coping strategies among Muslim athletes during Ramadan fasting. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 61, 101860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860
Safari Jafarloo, H. R. (2025). The Peripatetic athlete in Islamic philosophy: An interpretation of Avicenna's moral philosophy. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2025.2545244
Sarkar, M., Hill, D. M., & Parker, A. (2014). Working with religious and spiritual athletes: Ethical considerations for sport psychologists. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 15(6), 580-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.05.006
Schmid, M. J., Oblinger-Peters, V., Örencik, M., Schmid, J., Conzelmann, A., & Ronkainen, N. J. (2025). Meaning in life of elite athletes: A person-oriented study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Article 102730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102730
Schnitker, S. A., Gilbertson, M. K., Houltberg, B., Hardy, S. A., & Fernandez, N. (2020). Transcendent motivations and virtue development in adolescent marathon runners. Journal of Personality, 88(2), 237-248. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12481
Shavit, U., & Winter, O. (2011). Sports in contemporary Islamic law. Islamic Law and Society. https://doi.org/10.1163/156851910X537784
Shephard, R. J. (2013). Ramadan and sport: Minimizing effects upon the observant athlete. Sports Medicine, 43(12), 1217-1241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0080-7
Shirvani, H., Asadzandi, M., & Amini, A. (2025). The relationship between spirituality and sports from the point of view of sports psychology researchers: A systematic review of research over two decades. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(5), 3613-3645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02204-3
Singh, R., Hwa, O. C., Roy, J., Jin, C. W., Ismail, S. M., Lan, M. F., Hiong, L. L., & Aziz, A.-R. (2011). Subjective perception of sports performance, training, sleep and dietary patterns of Malaysian junior Muslim athletes during Ramadan intermittent fasting. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34750
Slatinsky, C. P., Farren, G. L., Bartlett, M., Fiaud, V., & Haasl, R. (2022). Relations among locus of control, religiosity, and resiliency in collegiate football players. Pastoral Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00988-9
Sukhera, J. (2022). Narrative reviews: Flexible, rigorous, and practical. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 14(4), 414-417. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-22-00480.1
Trabelsi, K., Bragazzi, N., Zlitni, S., Khacharem, A., Boukhris, O., El-Abed, K., Ammar, A., Khanfir, S., Shephard, R. J., Hakim, A., Moalla, W., & Chtourou, H. (2020). Observing Ramadan and sleep-wake patterns in athletes: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(11), 674-680. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099898
Trabelsi, K., Ammar, A., Glenn, J. M., Boukhris, O., Khacharem, A., Bouaziz, B., Zmijewski, P., Lanteri, P., Garbarino, S., Clark, C. C. T., Chamari, K., Bragazzi, N. L., Hill, D., & Chtourou, H. (2022). Does observance of Ramadan affect sleep in athletes and physically active individuals? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sleep Research, 31(3), e13503. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13503
Uysal, E., & Akgül, M. H. (2026). The function of religious rituals in psychological coping and motivational meaning-making among professional football players: Evidence from Turkey. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-026-02756-6
Wandik, Y., Dina, D., Guntoro, T. S., Sutoro, Wambrauw, O. O. O., Abidjulu, F. C., Irab, S. P., Jembise, T. L., Wanena, T., Kmurawak, R. M. B., Rahayu, A. S., Manalu, J., Yektiningtyas, W., Gultom, M., Zainuri, A., Numberi, J. J., Sinaga, E., Hidayat, R. R., Nurhidayah, D., ... Putra, M. F. P. (2024). Interrelation of mental toughness, religiosity, and happiness of elite adolescent athletes based on gender, type of sport, and level of education. Retos, 56. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.103469
White, J. B., Parker, A., & Meyer, A. R. (2023). Challenging the integration of youth, faith, and sports: Alternative religious beliefs and assumptions. Religions, 14(9), 1171. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091171
Wiese-Bjornstal, D. M., Wood, K. N., Wambach, A. J., White, A. C., & Rubio, V. J. (2020). Exploring religiosity and spirituality in coping with sport injuries. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2018-0009
Xu, N., Yan, W., Sun, M., Li, R., Wang, Y., & Chi, L. (2024). Applying skill-oriented and spirit-oriented psychological training to Chinese national archery team athletes: A single-case mixed-methods study. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2023.2168724
Yacoubi, A., Fitouri, C., Kamal, S., Ben Jomaa, H., Latiri, I., Jahrami, H., & Chamari, K. (2026a). Psychometric evaluation of the Islamic Religious Internalization subscales among Tunisian footballers in a Muslim-majority context. Mental Health, Religion and Culture. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2025.2551976
Yacoubi, A., Fitouri, C., Kamal, S., Ben Jomaa, H., Latiri, I., & Chamari, K. (2026b). How religious engagement shapes performance perception during Ramadan: Insights from fasting Tunisian footballers. British Medical Bulletin, 157(1), Article ldag004. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldag004
Y?ld?z Çak?r, L., Göksel, A. G., To?o, O. T., ?enel, E., Yara?, A., K?z?let, T., & Y?ld?z, M. (2024). What is the role of religious commitment between an extrovert personality and moral disengagement through prosocial/antisocial behaviours and moral identity? An investigation on student-athletes. Religions, 15(7), 759. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15070759
Yun, D., Zhang, L., Qiu, Y., Zheng, J., & Li, C. (2025). Make sport-related self-control better: Ritualized behavior in Chinese athletes. Acta Psychologica, 258, 105145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105145
Haleem, H. (2026). Islamic Teachings as an Internal Discipline System in Athlete Development: A Narrative Review and the Prophetic Athlete Discipline Model. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 16(9), 1379-1396.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode