Pendekatan Kaunseling Islam dalam Memperkasa Kesejahteraan Emosi Mahasiswa: Tinjauan di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Islam di Malaysia

The Islamic Counseling Approach in Empowering the Emotional Well-Being of University Students in Islamic Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

Counseling is a systematic helping relationship based on psychological principles conducted by professional counselors. Broadly, there are two forms of counseling approaches: contemporary counseling and religious perspective counseling. Although the religious counseling approach receives less attention compared to contemporary counseling, studies and research related to the integration of religion in counseling continue to this day due to its recognized role in human spirituality. Therefore, this study aims to examine the Islamic counseling approach applied in universities to ensure the emotional well-being of students is maintained. The study is conducted qualitatively using a phenomenological research design. Four Islamic universities were selected as samples through purposive sampling. Accordingly, four counselors and psychology officers were chosen as research participants. The study was conducted using an interview protocol validated by experts. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and online, depending on the agreement of all parties. The interview data were then transcribed and analyzed thematically to identify themes related to the objectives of this study. The findings summarize that university counselors use seven approaches focusing on spiritual aspects to develop the soul and enhance the emotional well-being of students, which are building inner peace, finding meaning in life, the application of musyaratah (self-accountability), muraqabah (self-awareness), muhasabah (self-reflection), mujahadah (striving), and riyadah (training). This finding is expected to assist researchers in developing an Islamic counseling model that can be integrated at the university level to help students confront emotional conflicts.