Happiness, purpose, and well-being: a comparative analysis of Ikigai and al-Sa‘ādah

This paper presents a critical comparative analysis of the Japanese concept of Ikigai through the lens of the Islamic concept of al-Saʿādah (happiness), exploring how both frameworks address happiness, purpose, and personal well-being. Ikigai, influenced by Shintoism, Zen Buddhism, and Confucianism, focuses on aligning one’s passion, mission, vocation, and profession to create a balanced and meaningful life. However, its emphasis remains on worldly satisfaction and emotional well-being. In contrast, al-Saʿādah, rooted in al-Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the views of scholars such as al-Ghazālī, offers a more holistic approach, grounded in proximity to the Divine, spiritual purification, ethical living, divine knowledge (Maʿrifat Allāh), and preparation for eternal happiness in the hereafter. This study reveals that while both concepts guide individuals toward intentional living, Ikigai lacks metaphysical and eschatological dimensions. By evaluating Ikigai through the framework of al-Saʿādah, the research bridges cultural and religious understandings of well-being, offering practical insights for addressing modern existential concerns. It concludes that al-Saʿādah presents a spiritually complete and enduring vision of human flourishing that integrates both this life and the next