PRIORITIZATION OF ISLAMIC DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL WELLBEING USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP)

Abstract

Mental health problems among university students are increasing worldwide, and Muslim students face additional challenges related to maintaining their religious identity and practices in academic settings. While Islamic teachings and practices can support mental wellbeing, researchers have not systematically determined which Islamic factors are most important for helping students. This study used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize Islamic determinants of mental wellbeing based on expert opinions. Nine experts including Islamic scholars, mental health professionals, and religious counselors evaluated four main areas: ritual practices, spiritual beliefs, ethical behavior, and community support. The analysis revealed that Islamic counselling was by far the most important factor, accounting for 81% of total importance, followed by ethical considerations at 49%, social support at 33%, gratitude at 11%, and prayer with remembrance at 7%. The extremely low consistency ratio of 0.0005 showed that expert judgments were highly reliable. These findings demonstrate that professional counselling integrated with Islamic principles is the most critical factor for supporting Muslim student mental health, while spiritual practices and community connections play important but secondary roles. The results provide practical guidance for universities and mental health professionals to develop effective, culturally appropriate mental health services for Muslim students. This research shows that the best approach combines professional mental health expertise with Islamic values rather than relying on spiritual practices alone. Universities should prioritize accessible Islamic counselling services supported by programs that promote ethical development, social connections, and spiritual engagement.