Happiness Instrument Development

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Happiness Instrument Development

Ateerah, A. R.¹, Lukman, Z. M.^2
1,2Faculty of Applied Social Science, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, 20300, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Abstract-Happiness is related with subjective well being. However, there is scarce of research pertaining to Islamic view of happiness. Previous research from Western perspectives have proven that positive element and attitude contribute positively to happiness. Hence, this research tries to identify several aspects that have relationship with happiness among Muslim specifically. Happiness Instrument was developed based on al-Ghazali’s concept of happiness. It was about 500 Muslims involved in this study quantitatively in which using developed scale inventory as the main instrument. The data collected from the sampled population has been descriptively analysed based on mean and SD attained from the responses. Moreover, the PLS-SEM has been utilized in this chapter to test the theoretical model. Coherently, multiple approaches have been incorporated to examine the measurement and structural models such as the convergent validity, discriminant validity, R-square, and F-square among others. As a result, there is significant result of the construct such as religious knowledge, practices and individual with happiness.

Keywords-Happiness, Religious Knowledge, Practices, Individual, and Muslim.

I. INTRODUCTION

Western research related to Happiness and well-being mentions that both of these elements are frequent described as internal feelings or states of satisfaction that resides internally within the individual [1]. Well-being research has also emphasized on the long-term happiness of individuals ([2] [3] [4]).
Nevertheless in Islamic view, happiness which is known as (sa’adah) in Islam has gone through many interpretations and multiple indications. It has several synonyms including and not limited to only a good life, enjoyment, satisfaction, positive experience, and peacefulness .The Qur’an and the Sunnah have put a great amount of emphasis on happiness application in all aspects as a consequence of its importance. Real happiness in Islam is when people seek for the peace of mind, heart satisfaction and self tranquility.
The real happiness derived from the knowledge that human comes from God and have been made for a purpose. Therefore, calmness feelings come from the contemplation that we are only travelers in this life and will encounter with the next world[5]. Additionally, Al- Ghazali explained four steps to attain the alchemy of happiness which are; the knowledge of self, the knowledge of God, the knowledge of the world, and the knowledge of the next world.

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