The Influence of Umrah Mufradah on Students Mental Health, Happiness and Practicing Religious Beliefs

There is a significant relationship between religious activities and man's health and wellbeing. In addition to attitude, faith, and love Islam possesses practical aspects and rituals too. The statistical population of this study includes all university students from Tehran who have traveled to Mecca to perform `umrah in July 2004. The statistical sample of this study were 234 university students who were selected by cluster sampling method from among two student caravans of `umrah pilgrimage. One consisting of 123 female students (mean age=21.5; SD=3) and the other one 111 male students (mean age 22.5; SD=5). The instruments used in this study for collecting data include: the Practicing Religious Beliefs Questionnaire, the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The results show that students participation in `umrah pilgrimage increases their happiness and decreases their mental disorders, anxiety, body symptoms, social disorders, and depression.