The Quran
“And as for him who fears to stand in the presence of his Lord and forbids his own soul from its whims and caprices then surely Paradise is the abode.” [Qur’an; -79:40-41]
“Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves” [Qur’an- 13:11]
“If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And Allah hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed them with the leave of their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practise self-restraint. And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Qur’an; 4:25]
“O ye who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you,that ye may (learn) self-restraint.” [Qur’an; 2:183]
Hadith
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon hi) said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” [Bukhari]
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: The strong-man is not one who wrestles well but the strong man is one who controls himself when he is in a fit of rage. [Sahih Muslim]
It is an individual obligation to struggle against one’s evil-commanding soul. One who has no control over himself cannot help himself nor help society. A Muslim, especially, submits himself to the will of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and strives to please Him by obeying His commands and restraining himself from prohibitions.