Islamic mindfulness as cultural mindfulness: a conceptual framework for decision-making and well-being

Abstract

Objectives: This conceptual study examines how Islamic mindfulness practices (Muraqabah, Dhikr, Salah) influence psychological processes that extend beyond spiritual benefits, shaping decision-making and well-being in both personal and professional domains. Methods: Employing a conceptual analysis methodology, this research synthesizes interdisciplinary literature from Islamic studies, psychology, consumer behavior, and organizational management to theoretically explicate the psychological mechanisms of these practices. Results: The analysis suggests that these practices may cultivate heightened self-regulation, intentionality (Niyyah), and ethical attentional orientations, including tendencies toward reduced materialism. This psychological profile is theorized to be associated with more deliberate and ethically oriented consumption tendencies and with orientations supporting professional resilience, focus, and ethical decision-making. Conclusion: This paper theorizes that Islamic mindfulness may provide a framework for understanding culturally embedded forms of mindfulness. While explicitly conceptual and exploratory in nature, it highlights directions for empirical validation and introduces a Culturally Embedded Mindfulness Model (CEMM) that contributes to ongoing debates in mindfulness science regarding universality versus cultural specificity.