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Religious Commitment and its Relation to Happiness among Muslim Students: The Educational Level as Moderator

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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and level of happiness in an Islamic context among Muslim students studying at Malaysian universities. The determinants of happiness included in this research are positive attitudes, self-esteem, and other-esteem. Religiosity has long been considered as the main determinant in increasing happiness, and educational level strengthens its relationship. For this purpose, the researchers sampled 230 Muslim students aged 17–40 years studying at Malaysian universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study found a positive and significant correlation between religious commitment and level of happiness. Religious commitment also shows positive and significant correlations with positive attitudes, self-esteem, and other-esteem. The study also concludes that educational attainment moderates the relationship between religious commitment and happiness. Thus, religious commitment plays a very important role in increasing levels of happiness.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank a Research and Development Division at Academy of Islamic Studies for financial assistance to prepare this article. The grant provided to the authors under research project RP013A-13HNE is highly appreciated.

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  1. Research and Development Division, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Meguellati Achour

  2. Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor

  3. Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Bouketir Amel & Haji Mohammad Bin Seman

  4. Department of al-Quran and al-Hadith, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mohd Yakub Zulkifli MohdYusoff

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Achour, M., Mohd Nor, M.R., Amel, B. et al. Religious Commitment and its Relation to Happiness among Muslim Students: The Educational Level as Moderator. J Relig Health 56, 1870–1889 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0361-9

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