Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Islam
Vol 26, No 2 (2025): Tafsir and Hadith

POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH IN THE QURAN: Psychological Insights from the Story of Prophet Ayyub

Khodijah, Siti (Unknown)
Arif, Muhammad (Unknown)
Fadzil, Huda Mohd (Unknown)
Johari, Aisyah (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Nov 2025

Abstract

Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun, describes the positive transformations that may emerge following profound suffering or trauma. These include strengthened interpersonal relationships, enhanced personal strength, a renewed appreciation for life, openness to new possibilities, and spiritual development. Although PTG has been widely examined in contemporary psychology, its application within Quranic exegesis remains limited. Employing a qualitative approach through library research, this study analyzes the story of Prophet Ayyub AS in Q.S. al-Anbiyâ [21]: 83-84 and Q.S. Sâd [38]: 41-44 through a comparative exegesis (tafsîr muqâran), drawing on classical (al-T{abarî), medieval (Ibn Kathîr), and contemporary (Quraish Shihab) commentaries. The comparative analysis, with a thematic focus on suffering and recovery, is mapped onto five domains of PTG. It shows how Ayyub AS’s ordeal catalyzes meaning-making, moral refinement, relational restoration, and spiritual strengthening. It operationalizes spiritual resilience as s{abr (patient steadfastness) and tawakkul (trustful reliance on God) that stabilize cognition and affect, sustain moral commitment (istiqamah), and convert affliction into disciplined, hopeful action. Spiritual resilience thus functions both as a mediator and an outcome of PTG, integrating divine mercy with human initiative. Hence, the study presents a Quranic-based framework for resilience and psychological transformation, interpreting suffering not merely as a test of endurance but as a process of growth, meaning-making, and spiritual elevation. It contributes to contemporary Quranic scholarship by integrating exegetical perspectives across classical, medieval, and modern periods and contextualizing them within the framework of PTG, thereby enriching the interdisciplinary dialogue between Islamic exegesis and modern psychology.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ululalbab

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities

Description

ULUL ALBAB Jurnal Studi Islam (ISSN 1858-4349 and E-ISSN 2442-5249) is the journal published biannually by Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. The journal puts emphasis on aspects related to Islamic studies, with special reference to Islamic law, Islamic education, Islamic ...