Effects of an Islamic-based gratitude strategy on muslim students` level of happines

Abstract

In spite of the extensive evidence indicating that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI) can increase people`s happiness and consequently have beneficial life outcomes, no study so far has investigated the possible effective way to increase Muslims` happiness. This study was intended to examine the effects of an Islamic-based expressive gratitude strategy, in comparison to a Western-based expressive gratitude strategy, in enhancing Muslims` level of happiness by emphasising on the spiritual aspects of human being (based on the Islamic understanding of human nature). It was hypothesised that practicing the Islamic-based gratitude exercise (by associating blessings with Allah) would result in higher happiness level over time, compared to the happiness level of Muslim participants practicing the Western-based gratitude exercise (without specific association). A 16-day experimental study examined the happiness outcomes of regularly practicing two gratitude exercises over time; Islamicbased and W estem-based gratitude. In a control exercise, participants attended to the details of their daily life. Muslim undergraduates (N=60) performed one of three exercises over the experimental time period and were assessed for pre and post happiness measures. Results generally supported the hypothesis, and suggest that the Islamic-based gratitude may be the most beneficial for raising Muslim participants` happiness level because it fits with their beliefs and values by emphasising on both the spiritual and bodily aspects of human being. The results of including Islamic-oriented intervention to promote Muslim happiness and their implications are discussed.