The Role of Malaysian Islamic Educational Institutions in Promoting Psychological Wellbeing: A Maqasid-Based Approach

Muneer Ali Abdul Rab (Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)
Hamidin Bin Awang (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)
Abdul Manan Ismail (Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)
Ahmad Syukran Baharuddin (Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)
Syaryanti Hussin (Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)
Baidar Mohammed Mohammed Hasan (Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan)

Cendekia: Jurnal Kependidikan dan Kemasyarakatan
Vol 24 No 2 (2026): (In Press)

This paper addresses a conceptual and operational gap in Malaysian Islamic educational institutions, where administrative practices tend to prioritize narrow academic performance over psychological resilience and support. The study grounds student wellbeing within Maqasid al-Shariah, specifically the preservation of life (hifdh al-nafs) and intellect (hifdh al-aql). It proposes a Structural Maqasidic Wellbeing Framework for institutional application. Using a qualitative descriptive-analytical design, the study combines document analysis of educational policies with thematic interpretation of Shariah principles. The findings indicate that sustainable student wellbeing requires an integrated system comprising regulatory policies, educational empowerment, and preventive psychological support. The framework helps educational institutions move beyond purely academic measures toward a broader conception of human flourishing, positioning Islamic educational institutions as preventive environments that support student resilience and align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.