<![CDATA[The persistence of dating behaviour among students despite their understanding of the Islamic prohibition against approaching zina highlights the need for preventive educational efforts. Therefore, this study aims to analyse differences in students’ self-control based on the intensity of Islamic counselling guidance grounded in the values of Surah Al-Isra’ verse 32 to prevent dating behaviour at MA Mahrusiyah Lirboyo. This study employed a mixed-methods approach with a sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data were collected using a self-control scale consisting of 10 valid items with four response options. Besides that, the study involved two groups of students, namely Dormitory D1 as the main group receiving more intensive Islamic counselling and Dormitory D2 as the comparison group receiving relatively lower counselling intensity. The study analysed quantitative data using descriptive statistics and an independent-samples t-test and collected qualitative data through semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and documentary records. The findings revealed that students receiving more intensive Islamic counselling demonstrated higher self-control scores (mean = 33.45) than those in the comparison group (mean = 29.40), with a significant difference between groups (t = −4.829; p < 0.05). Qualitative findings further indicated that routine supervision, religious habituation, periodic counselling, and the internalisation of Qur'anic values strengthened students' abilities to regulate emotions, control impulses, and make decisions consistent with moral and religious values, thereby reducing tendencies toward dating behaviour. These findings highlight the importance of systematic Islamic counselling integrated with Qur'anic values in strengthening adolescents' self-control and preventing dating behaviour.]]>
