Abstract
Positive Psychology has emerged as a movement proposing the study of the elements related to human well-being and happiness. Spirituality is one of these elements that can stimulate positive behaviors. It plays a large role in Muslims’ daily life, sometimes being inseparable from secular life. This research seeks to understand the influence and impact of spirituality and religiosity on Muslims’ well-being by identifying orientations present in Qur’anic verses. In this study, six representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community were interviewed individually, using open-ended questions regarding the attitudes and behaviors addressed in the Qur’an that could lead to happiness and well-being. Analysis was based on comparisons between the data collected and recent research in positive psychology, happiness, and well-being, from both secular and religious perspectives. Preliminary results show that many quotes in the Qur’an recommend positive behaviors and attitudes and bring a concept of happiness that intrinsically connects well-being, religious beliefs, and spirituality.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Abde, A.N.Y., Salih, K.: The literature of happiness “with reference of the philosophy of happiness in Islam.” J. Islamic Stud. Cult. 3(2), 179–194 (2015)
Ciarrocchi, J.W., Dy-Liacco, G.S., Deneke, E.: Gods or rituals? Relational faith, spiritual discontent, and religious practices as predictors of hope and optimism. J. Posit. Psychol. 3(2), 120–136 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760701760666
Diener, E. Biwas-Diener, R.: Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Blackwell Publishing (2008)
Fredrickson, B.L.: How does religion benefit health and well-being? Are positive emotions active ingredients? Psychol. Inq. 13, 209–213 (2002)
Friedrickson, B.L.: Positividade: descubra a força das emoções positivas, supere a negatividade e viva plenamente. Rocco, Rio de Janeiro (2009)
Jonas, W.B., Christopher, G., Jonas, M., Jonas, S.: Spirituality, science, and the human body. In: Miller, L. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality. Oxford University Press Inc., New York (2012)
Joseph, S., Linley, P.A., Maltby, J.: Positive psychology, religion, and spirituality. Ment. Health Relig. Cult. 9(3), 209–212 (2006)
Joshanloo, M.: A comparison of western and Islamic conceptions of happiness. J. Happiness Stud. 14, 1857–1874 (2013)
Keefe, F.J., et al.: Living with rheumatoid arthritis: the role of daily spirituality and religious and spiritual coping. J. Pain 2, 101–110 (2001)
Lazarus, R.S., DeLongis, A.: Psychological stress and coping in aging. Am. Psychol. 38(3), 254–254 (1983)
Moreira-Almeida, A., Lotufo Neto, F., Koenig, H. (2006). Religiousness and mental health: a review. Braz. J. Psychiatry 28(3), 242–250. https://www.scielo.br/j/rbp/a/v6WPG8DFL5ND3gc4bmhsPRF/?format=pdf&lang=en
Omais, S.: Manual de Psicologia Positiva. Qualitymark: Rio de Janeiro, pp. 1561–1582 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0332-6
Park, C.L., Slattery, J.M.: Resilience interventions with a focus on meaning and values. In: Kent, M., Davis, M.C., Reich, J.W. (eds.), The Resilience Handbook: Approaches to Stress and Trauma, pp. 270–282. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Psychologist 38, 245–254 (2014)
Rizvi, M.A.K., Hossain, M.Z.: Relationship between religious belief and happiness: a systematic literature review. J. Relig. Health 56(5), 1561–1582 (2016)
Sabjan, M.A.: The meaning and experience of happiness in Islam An overview. Eur. Proc. Soc. Behav. Sci. In: The Second International Conference on Humanities (2019). https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2019.09.44
Seligman, M.E.: Florescer: uma nova compreensão sobre a natureza da felicidade e do bem-estar. Objetiva, Rio de Janeiro (2011)
Sisemore, T.: The psychology of religion and spirituality. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ (2016)
Smith, B.W., et al.: Spirituality, resilience, and positive emotions. In: The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Spirituality, pp. 437–454 (2014)
Steger, M.: Meaning in life. In: Lopez, S.J., Snyder, C.R. (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press (2009)
Sultan, S.N.: The Qur’an and Sayings of Prophet Muhammad. Sky Light Paths, USA (2007)
Thoresen, C.E.: Spirituality and Health. J. Health Psychol. 4(3), 291–300 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1177/135910539900400314
Watts, F., Dutton, K., & Gulliford, L.: Human spiritual qualities: integrating psychology and religion. Ment. Health, Relig. Cult. 9, 277–289 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1080/13694670600615524
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Omais, S., dos Santos, M.A. (2022). Happiness in Islam The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Muslims’ Well-Being. In: Shariff, N.N.M., Yakob, M.A., Hamidi, Z.S., Aghwan, Z.A.A., Lateh, N. (eds) Selected Proceedings from the 1st International Conference on Contemporary Islamic Studies (ICIS 2021). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2390-6_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2390-6_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-19-2389-0
Online ISBN: 978-981-19-2390-6
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)