The experiences of gratitude in female ulama: An interpretation from Sufi psychology and PERMA-Model perspective

Arikhah Arikhah*    -  Department of Tasawuf and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Humanities, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Lucky Ade Sessiani    -  Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Muhammad Makmun  -  Department of al-Qur’an and Tafsir, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Humanities, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Ririh Megah Safitri    -  Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Mishbah Khoiruddin Zuhri    -  Department of Interreligious Studies, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Humanities, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia

(*) Corresponding Author

Amidst the social-cultural predominance of male ulama in the religious context, female ulama play important roles and yet are often trapped in life-role complexity and gender bias, as they have a responsibility in both the domestic and public domains. This study aims to explore the meaning of the experience of gratitude among female ulama based on the perspective of positive psychology, with reference to the PERMA (Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationship, Meaning, and Accomplishment) model, with further interpretation of gratitude (shukr) from Sufi psychology. Using a qualitative (phenomenological) approach, we held online in-depth interviews with five female ulama participants from across Indonesia and Germany. The research demonstrates the interconnection between themes related to gratitude according to PERMA-Model and the embodiment of gratitude (shukr) in Sufi psychology. These findings provide evidence to support the practical implication of the integrative intervention of positive and Sufi psychology for clinical purposes or to promote flourishing and well-being among women.

Keywords: female ulama; gratitude; PERMA; Sufi psychology

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