Mental Well-being of the True Practitioners of Usul-e-Sab’a in Light of Carol Ryff’s Psychological Model: A Case Study on Maizbhandari Community

Abstract

The prime focus of this paper is to understand the importance of practicing Usul-e-Sa’bafor gaining mental well-being. The true followers of the Maizbhandari Sufi Order have been practicing Usul-e-Sa’bato eradicate anxiety, stress, depression and mental distress. To get effective results from the study; the qualitative and quantitative research methods have been applied. For collecting data, a set of questionnaires of 21 items were asked to 30 true practitioners of the seven principles. The study shows that the respondents truly believe Usul-e-Sa’baguided them to inner peace and mental well-being. Usul-e-Sa’ba (the seven principles), an effective method of self-purification, is a comprehensive training program for the aspirants trying to break the shackles of mental discontent. It is an integral part of Maizbhandari Sufi Order originated by “Khatam ul Awliya’’ Ghawthul Azam Hazrat Mawlana Shah Sufi Syed Ahmad Ullah (Q.). Maizbhandari Sufi Order is a melting pot of Sufism where Usul-e-Sa’bacombines Sufi psychology and spirituality to eradicate the internal and external complexities of human beings. Carol Ryff’s model of psychological well-being consists of positive relationships with others, personal mastery, autonomy, self-acceptance, meaning in life, and personal growth. The seven steps of Usul-e-Sa’ba have theoretical similarities with the six psychological factors of Carol Ryff that are considered standard scales of measuring mental well-being. This study aims to measure the mental well-being of the true practitioners using Carol Ryff’s model of psychological well-being.