A'rasy Fahrullah, Moch. Khoirul Anwar, Sri Abidah Suryaningsih, Moh. Farih Fahmi, Mohd. Shahid Bin Mohd. Noh
This study aims to examine the complex interaction between religious location, Islamic work performance, and worker happiness. By testing several hypotheses and analyzing the data, this study validates the significant influence of workers' religious location on Islamic work performance, and happiness. It is worth emphasizing that it challenges the notion that religion directly affects Islamic performance. The research method used is quantitative research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The sample obtained was 259 workers from Indonesia and Malaysia. The study revealed significant findings on the impact of religion, and happiness on employee performance. The first hypothesis confirmed that linking religiosity with Islamic performance was rejected, indicating the presence of other dominant factors. The complex relationship between religion and behavior is recognized by considering the various driving factors. The second hypothesis linked religion to worker happiness, supported by various studies. Importantly, the third hypothesis shows that worker happiness has a positive effect on Islamic work performance. The originality of the study lies in the interaction between religion, happiness, and worker performance. Specifically, this study validates the effect of worker religiosity on Islamic work performance, which is contrary to traditional views. It also challenges existing beliefs by rejecting the impact of religion on Islamic achievement, and emphasizes the complexity of this relationship. © 2026, Malque Publishing. All rights reserved.
Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Islamic Economics Study Program, Surabaya, Indonesia; University of Malaya, Islamic Studies Academic, Department of Economics & Sharia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
