PERMA Model of Positive Psychology in the Light of Quran and Sunnah: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Martin Seligman has attempted to outline a structure for science of positive psychology and forecasts that the future generations will be introduced to a science, which will evolve into understanding and laying the foundations for the aspects which facilitate humans, individually and collectively, to thrive. Seligman has streamlined these traits in the acronym PERMA, which stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement. This study is unprecedented in its significance because of two primary reasons – the missing gap in literature regarding a comprehensive practical guide to positivity, and the need to counter mental health issues not just among adults but also among youth and children. In achieving its objective of identifying the single most significant source of positive psychology, this study examines each component of the PERMA model in the light of the Qur‘an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ٍُعٗ ٚ١ٍػ هللاٍٝ ص The literature review analyzes how positive psychology evolved over time in Islamic and non-Islamic traditions and then combines the traditions to show the missing gap of the main cause of positivity. In finding out the missing gap, this study concludes that the Holy Qur‘an is the biggest source of positivity that exists in the world and it provides a comprehensive guideline that is the most effective at being conducted and implemented easily for all humans.