Analysis of happiness components in Islam and its validation to create and develop happy schools

The purpose of this study was to identify the components of happiness in Islam and to validate it in order to promote happiness in schools using a mixed research approach. In the qualitative stage of the research, the thematic analysis method was used, and in the quantitative stage the survey method was used. The statistical population of the study consisted of Islamic sources and texts in the qualitative stage, and the elementary school principals of Iran in the quantitative stage. The sampling method was purposive in the qualitative stage of the research, and random sampling in the quantitative stage. The research data were analyzed in qualitative stage through text analysis technique and according to the data analysis process in thematic analysis method (coding, theme extraction and drawing thematic network); and in the quantitative stage, the confirmatory factor analysis approach was used to validate the measurement tool. In order to validate the data at the qualitative stage of the study, two methods of rich description and providing audit records and independent coders were used. Content validity (face and content validity ratio) and construct validity were used in the quantitative stage. The findings of the qualitative stage of the study indicated that the concept of happiness in Islam was divided into three global themes: happiness-oriented insights (divine, metaphysical and material insights), happiness-oriented life (spiritual and physical life), and happiness-oriented actions (ritual, emotional, and social actions). The findings of the quantitative stage of the research indicated that convergent and divergent validity indices proved the validity of the tools for measuring components of a happy Islamic school.