Spiritual Motivation in the Quran: Insights from ESQ 165 by Ary Ginanjar Agustian

Authors

  • Abdurrohim Abdurrohim Islamic Institute of Persatuan Islam, Garut, Indonesia
  • Jajang A. Rohmana UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Indonesia
  • Eni Zulaiha UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15575/hanifiya.v8i1.44747

Keywords:

conventional interpretation, emotional intelligence, moral community, neuroscience, spiritual quotient

Abstract

Religion and spirituality are intertwined, with spirituality at the core of religious experience. Recent studies highlight the connection between spirituality and mental health, self-efficacy, and self-respect. In 2001, Ary Ginanjar Agustian introduced ESQ 165, a religious phenomenon aimed at enhancing human resources through spirituality. However, this concept faced criticism from some Islamic scholars, including Malaysian mufti Datuk Hj. Wan Zahidi bin Wan Teh, who argued it contradicts Islamic teachings. Conversely, research by Daromir Rudnyckij links ESQ 165 to "Spiritual Economy," merging Islamic principles with neoliberal economic practices to boost productivity. This qualitative study employs library research to analyze Agustian's interpretations of the Quran in his work "Secrets of Success in Building Spiritual Emotional Intelligence ESQ 165." Findings reveal that ESQ 165 integrates intellectual (IQ), emotional (EQ), and spiritual intelligence (SQ) with Islamic values of Faith, Islam, and Ihsan. Agustian's interpretations differ from traditional ulama due to methodological influences and a psychological approach, positioning them outside conventional interpretation rules. Despite critiques, his insights resonate with Gadamer's understanding of interpretation shaped by personal horizons, aligning ESQ 165 with Quranic spiritual motivation and Danah Zohar's God Spot theory.

References

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Agustian, A. G. (2009). ESQ Emotional Spiritual Quotient: The Esq Way 165; 1 Ihsan, 6 Rukun Iman Dan 5 Rukun Islam. ESQ Leadership Center Sdn. Bhd.

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Durkheim, E. (2016). The elementary forms of religious life. In Social theory re-wired (pp. 52–67). Routledge.

Gadamer, H. G. (2008). Philosophical Hermeneutics Terj. David E. Linge. University of California Press.

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Ulinnuha, M. (2019). Metode Kritik Ad-Dakhil fit-Tafsir: Cara Mendeteksi Adanya Infiltrasi dan Kontaminasi dalam Penafsiran Al-Qur’an. Penerbit QAF.

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Agustian, A. G. (2001). Rahasia Sukses Membangun Kecerdasan Emosi &Spiritual: Berdasarkan 6 Rukun Iman &5 Rukun Islam. PT. Arga, Jakarta.

Agustian, A. G. (2009). ESQ Emotional Spiritual Quotient: The Esq Way 165; 1 Ihsan, 6 Rukun Iman Dan 5 Rukun Islam. ESQ Leadership Center Sdn. Bhd.

Al-Zarqani, M. A. A. (n.d.). Manahil al-’Irfan Fi ’Ulumil Qur’an. Dar Ibn Affan.

Branden, N. (1998). Nathaniel Brandens Self-Esteem Every Day: Reflections on Self-Esteem and Spirituality. Simon and Schuster.

Durkheim, E. (2016). The elementary forms of religious life. In Social theory re-wired (pp. 52–67). Routledge.

Gadamer, H. G. (2008). Philosophical Hermeneutics Terj. David E. Linge. University of California Press.

Hick, J. (1992). On Wilfred Cantwell Smith: His Place in the Study of Religion. Method & Theory in the Study of Religion, 4(1/2), 5–20.

Ismail, I. (2017). SEJARAH AGAMA-AGAMA (Pengantar Studi Agama-Agama). IAIN Bengkulu.

James, W. (2015). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. Xist Publishing.

Jensen, L. A. (2021). The cultural psychology of religiosity, spirituality, and secularism in adolescence. Adolescent Research Review, 1–12.

Moleong, L. J. (2007). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Remaja Rosdakarya.

Rahman, T. (2013). ’Indianization’of Indonesia in an Historical Sketch. International Journal of Nusantara Islam, 1(2), 56–64.

RI, K. A. (2022). Quran Kemenag. Retrieved from Quran. Kemenag: Https://Quran. Kemenag. Go. Id/Surah.

Ricoeur, P. (2013). Hermeneutics: writings and lectures.

Rossano, M. (2010). Supernatural selection: How religion evolved. Oxford University Press.

Shihab, M. Q. (1997). Ensiklopedi Al-Qur ‘an, Kajian Kosakata dan Tafsirnya. In Jakarta: Yayasan Bimantara.

Silverman, D. (2015). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Sage Publications.

Singer, W. (2001). Consciousness and the binding problem. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 929(1), 123–146.

Spencer, H. (1971). Herbert Spencer: Structure, Function, and Evolution. Scribner.

Tomlan, M. A., & Tomlan, M. A. (2015). Placing Greater Faith in Religion. Historic Preservation: Caring for Our Expanding Legacy, 307–353.

Truna, D. S. (2024). Agama dan masyarakat dalam perspektif Sosiologi. Gunung Djati Publishing.

Ulinnuha, M. (2019). Metode Kritik Ad-Dakhil fit-Tafsir: Cara Mendeteksi Adanya Infiltrasi dan Kontaminasi dalam Penafsiran Al-Qur’an. Penerbit QAF.

van den Bosch, L. P. (2018). Friedrich Max Müller: A life devoted to the humanities (Vol. 94). Brill.

Vieten, C., & Lukoff, D. (2022). Spiritual and religious competencies in psychology. American Psychologist.

Zohar, D., Marshall, I., & Marshall, I. N. (2000). SQ: Connecting with our spiritual intelligence. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

Agustian, A. G. (2001). Rahasia Sukses Membangun Kecerdasan Emosi &Spiritual: Berdasarkan 6 Rukun Iman &5 Rukun Islam. PT. Arga, Jakarta.

Agustian, A. G. (2009). ESQ Emotional Spiritual Quotient: The Esq Way 165; 1 Ihsan, 6 Rukun Iman Dan 5 Rukun Islam. ESQ Leadership Center Sdn. Bhd.

Al-Zarqani, M. A. A. (n.d.). Manahil al-’Irfan Fi ’Ulumil Qur’an. Dar Ibn Affan.

Branden, N. (1998). Nathaniel Brandens Self-Esteem Every Day: Reflections on Self-Esteem and Spirituality. Simon and Schuster.

Durkheim, E. (2016). The elementary forms of religious life. In Social theory re-wired (pp. 52–67). Routledge.

Gadamer, H. G. (2008). Philosophical Hermeneutics Terj. David E. Linge. University of California Press.

Hick, J. (1992). On Wilfred Cantwell Smith: His Place in the Study of Religion. Method & Theory in the Study of Religion, 4(1/2), 5–20.

Ismail, I. (2017). SEJARAH AGAMA-AGAMA (Pengantar Studi Agama-Agama). IAIN Bengkulu.

James, W. (2015). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. Xist Publishing.

Jensen, L. A. (2021). The cultural psychology of religiosity, spirituality, and secularism in adolescence. Adolescent Research Review, 1–12.

Moleong, L. J. (2007). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Remaja Rosdakarya.

Rahman, T. (2013). ’Indianization’of Indonesia in an Historical Sketch. International Journal of Nusantara Islam, 1(2), 56–64.

RI, K. A. (2022). Quran Kemenag. Retrieved from Quran. Kemenag: Https://Quran. Kemenag. Go. Id/Surah.

Ricoeur, P. (2013). Hermeneutics: writings and lectures.

Rossano, M. (2010). Supernatural selection: How religion evolved. Oxford University Press.

Shihab, M. Q. (1997). Ensiklopedi Al-Qur ‘an, Kajian Kosakata dan Tafsirnya. In Jakarta: Yayasan Bimantara.

Silverman, D. (2015). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Sage Publications.

Singer, W. (2001). Consciousness and the binding problem. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 929(1), 123–146.

Spencer, H. (1971). Herbert Spencer: Structure, Function, and Evolution. Scribner.

Tomlan, M. A., & Tomlan, M. A. (2015). Placing Greater Faith in Religion. Historic Preservation: Caring for Our Expanding Legacy, 307–353.

Truna, D. S. (2024). Agama dan masyarakat dalam perspektif Sosiologi. Gunung Djati Publishing.

Ulinnuha, M. (2019). Metode Kritik Ad-Dakhil fit-Tafsir: Cara Mendeteksi Adanya Infiltrasi dan Kontaminasi dalam Penafsiran Al-Qur’an. Penerbit QAF.

van den Bosch, L. P. (2018). Friedrich Max Müller: A life devoted to the humanities (Vol. 94). Brill.

Vieten, C., & Lukoff, D. (2022). Spiritual and religious competencies in psychology. American Psychologist.

Zohar, D., Marshall, I., & Marshall, I. N. (2000). SQ: Connecting with our spiritual intelligence. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

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Published

2025-04-09

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