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. 2022 Jul;50(5):2475-2490.
doi: 10.1002/jcop.22790. Epub 2022 Jan 8.

Theorizing the notion of well-being in Islam: An update of Ryff's theory of eudaimonic psychological well-being

Tamer Koburtay  1 , Jawad Syed  2 , Nidal Al Salhi  3
Affiliations

Theorizing the notion of well-being in Islam: An update of Ryff's theory of eudaimonic psychological well-being

Tamer Koburtay et al. J Community Psychol. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Prior studies suggest that knowledge about workers' psychological well-being is overly focused on materialism or biologically-based understanding, not taking into account the role of spirituality in one's well-being. Drawing on Ryff's (1989) psychological well-being framework and using an interdisciplinary approach, this paper offers a model of 'well-being in Islam' through theorizing this concept from an Islamic lens and contextually studying the implications of Islamic practices and spiritual facilities for employees' psychological well-being in workplaces. Drawing on qualitative data collected from 22 employees, our model (findings) shows that worshipping Allah, contemplative practices, and patience are key elements of one's well-being. This paper also points towards the important role of specific spiritual provisions (e.g., designated rooms for prayer, prayer time and ablution facilities) and contemplative practices (e.g., ritualistic-cyclic, creative process, generative, movement practices, stillness, activist, relational) for Ryff's six dimensions of employees' eudaimonic well-being. This study is unique as it integrates the notion of well-being in Islam into management and organization studies and offers a novel and contextual extension of Ryff's theory by integrating a spiritual notion of well-being. In the end, theoretical and practical implications are offered.

Keywords: Islam; Muslim majority countries; spirituality; well-being.

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References

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