Development and validation of Zikir Quality Scale (ZQS)

Numerous studies have investigated the effects of dhikr interventions; however, a comprehensive conceptualization of dhikr, particularly in terms of construct validation and psychometric testing, has not yet been established. The present study aimed to develop and validate the Zikir Quality Scale (ZQS) as a psychometric instrument to measure the quality of dhikr. A total of 494 respondents, consisting of university and high school students, participated in this instrument development study. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure for the ZQS, comprising intensity (α = 0.795), duration–solemnity (α = 0.777), and connectivity (α = 0.832), with an overall reliability of α = 0.826. Evidence of criterion validity was demonstrated through significant correlations with the Taṭmainn al-Qulūb Scale (TQS; r = 0.629; r= 0.476), Islamic Positive Religious Coping (IPRCOPE; r = 0.592), and the Perceived Stress Scale–4 (PSS-4; r = -0.347). The strongest association was found between the ZQS and TQS, confirming the theoretical expectation that dhikr is closely related to spiritual tranquility. These findings indicate that the ZQS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing dhikr quality. As the first psychometrically validated scale of its kind, the ZQS provides a valuable tool for advancing research in Islamic psychology, which can be further applied, refined, and tested across diverse populations and contexts.