ETHICAL SUFISM IN IMAM AL-GHAZALI'S IHYA ULUM AL-DIN: ITS RELEVANCE TO ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Muhammad Nuzhan; Khalilurrahman Khalilurrahman

doi:10.62748/fjjw6768

Authors

Muhammad Nuzhan Institut Agama Islam Darussalam Martapura
Khalilurrahman Khalilurrahman Institut Agama Islam Darussalam Martapura

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62748/fjjw6768

Keywords:

Ethical Sufism, Ihya Ulumuddin, Islamic Religious Education, Character Education

Abstract

This study aims to examine the concept of ethical Sufism developed by Imam Al-Ghazali in Ihya Ulum al-Din and its relevance to Islamic Religious Education (IRE. It is driven by the growing phenomenon of moral decline and character deterioration among students, highlighting the urgent need to reinforce character education grounded in spiritual values. The research adopts a qualitative approach through library research, focusing on Al-Ghazali’s works especially Ihya Ulumuddin as well as other relevant supporting literature. The results indicate that Al-Ghazali’s ethical Sufism centers on the purification of the soul (tazkiyat al-nafs), self-discipline, consistent practice of virtuous actions, and the development of the heart as the core of moral consciousness. These principles are highly applicable to the advancement of Islamic Religious Education, particularly in fostering students’ character through the internalization of values, the exemplary role of teachers, and the cultivation of spiritual habits. Accordingly, Al-Ghazali’s ethical Sufism can be positioned as a foundational framework for strengthening moral education in contemporary Islamic Religious Education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Al-Ghazālī, Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad. Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn. Vol. 4. Beirut: Dār al-Maʿrifah, 1985

Ali, Muhammad. “Implementasi Tasawuf Akhlaki Dalam Kehidupan.” Al Mumtaz : Jurnal Pendidikan dan Sosial Keagamaan 3, no. 01 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47902/mumtaz.v3i1.92.

Anggraini, Dinda, and Surya Bakti. “Spiritual Intelligence as a Foundation for Student Character Development: An Analysis Based on the Thought of Imam al-Ghazali.” Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam Al-Thariqah 11, no. 1 (2026): 71–81. https://doi.org/10.25299/althariqah.2026.vol11(1).27576.

Ariani, Rina, and Mahyudin Ritonga. “Analisis Pembinaan Karakter: Membangun Transformasi Insan Kamil Menurut Pemikiran Imam Al-Ghazali.” Jurnal Inovatif Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 3, no. 2 (2024): 174–87. https://doi.org/10.38073/jimpi.v3i2.1649.

Azzura Arum Ningtias, Sari Primayeni, and Herlini Puspika Sari. “Peran Akhlak Dalam Pengajaran Menurut Al-Ghazali: Perspektif Filsafat Pengajaran.” SURAU : Journal of Islamic Education 2, no. 2 (2024): 121–32. https://doi.org/10.30983/surau.v2i2.8711.

Dewa, Rahmad Syah, Zahra Khusnul Latifah, and Syukri Indra. “Konsep Kurikulum Pendidikan Akhlak Perspektif Imam Abu Hamid Al- Ghazali Dalam Kitab Ihya Ulumuddin.” AL – KAFF: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora 5, no. 1 (2023).

Dirsa, Andika, and Intan Kusumawati. “Implementasi Pemikiran Imam Al-Ghazali Tentang Pendidikan Karakter.” Academy of Education Journal 10, no. 02 (2019): 159–69. https://doi.org/10.47200/aoej.v10i02.281.

Faisal Amin, Ahmad, A. Alvian Fitriyanto, and Sulaeman Sulaeman. “Role of the Sufism Perspective of Imam Al-Ghazali in Shaping Character Education at Student Cadres Ahlith Thoriqoh Al-Mu’tabaroh An-Nahdliyyah Nahdlatul Ulama University Cirebon.” Indonesian Journal of Islamic Education 1, no. 2 (2023): 43–50. https://doi.org/10.31949/ijie.v1i2.7531.

Fasya, Adib Aunillah. “Konsep Tasawuf Menurut Imam Al-Ghazali.” JOUSIP: Journal of Sufism and Psychotherapy 2, no. 2 (2022): 153–66. https://doi.org/10.28918/jousip.v2i2.6723.

Fazillah, Fazillah. “Analsis Model Pembelajaran Imam Al-Ghazali Dalam Kitab Ihya Ulumuddin.” Al-Madaris Jurnal Pendidikan dan Studi Keislaman 5, no. 1 (2024): 82–94. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47887/amd.v5i1.176.

Fazlurrahman, Akbar Idris, and M. Slamet Yahya. “Studi Komparasi Pemikiran Tasawuf Imam Al-Ghazali dan Ibn Taimiyah Perspektif Pendidikan Islam.” Jurnal Kependidikan 12, no. 2 (2024): 183–208. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24090/jk.v12i2.9742.

Huda, Syamsul, Muhamim Sarifudin, Munifah Munifah, Anis Humaidi, Saifullah Idris, and Mawardi Mawardi. “The Concept of Character Learning: A Comparative Study of Al-Ghazali and Thomas Lickona’s Perspectives.” DAYAH: Journal of Islamic Education 5, no. 1 (2022): 35. https://doi.org/10.22373/jie.v5i1.11974.

Igo Fadhli Sa’bani, Urai Setiawarni, Siti Fatimah, and Herlini Puspika Sari. “Pendidikan Untuk Kemandirian: Analisis Pemikiran Al-Ghazali Dalam Membangun Karakter Siswa.” Reflection : Islamic Education Journal 1, no. 4 (2024): 113–29. https://doi.org/10.61132/reflection.v1i4.175.

Irawan, Edo Feri, and Fathur Rohman. “Rekonstruksi Konsep Pendidikan Agama Islam Berbasis Etika Spiritual: Studi Kritis Atas Pemikiran Pendidikan al-Ghazali.” IQRO: Journal of Islamic Education 8, no. 1 (2025): 164–84. https://doi.org/10.24256/iqro.v8i1.6618.

Kurniawan, Syamsul. “Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Islam Pemikiran Al-Ghazali Tentang Pendidikan Karakter Anak Berbasis Akhlaq Al-Karimah.” Tadrib: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam 3, no. 2 (2018): 197. https://doi.org/10.19109/Tadrib.v3i2.1792.

Lidia Artika, M Yaffi Rabbani, Muhammad Ridho Rizky Nafis, Nursyahri Siregar, and Indra Gusnanda. “Biografi Tokoh Tasawuf Al-Ghazali.” Jurnal Kajian Penelitian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan 1, no. 2 (2023): 29–55. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59031/jkppk.v1i2.108.

Mainuddin, Mainuddin, Tobroni Tobroni, and Moh. Nurhakim. “Pemikiran Pendidikan Karakter Al-Ghazali, Lawrence Kolberg Dan Thomas Lickona.” Attadrib: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah 6, no. 2 (2023): 283–90. https://doi.org/10.54069/attadrib.v6i2.563.

Mashadi, Ahmad Aziz, and Tasmuji Tasmuji. “Peran Imam Ghazali dalam Dunia Tasawuf.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Philosophy 1, no. 2 (2022): 275–90. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15642/jitp.2022.1.2.275-290.

Muhsin, Hafidul and Imaduddin. “Implementasi Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan Akhlak Dalam Kitab Ihya’ Ulumuddin Karya Imam Al-Ghazali Di Pondok Pesantren Assuniyah Kencong-Jember-Jawa Timur.” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 12, no. 2 (2022): 39–56. https://doi.org/10.38073/jpi.v12i2.989.

Mukhlis, Abdul. “Pemikiran Tasawuf Imam Al-Ghazali.” PANCAWAHANA: Jurnal Studi Islam 12 (2017).

Nasution, Syukri Kurniawan, Salminawati Salminawati, and Zaini Dahlan. “Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Kitab Ayyuhal Walad Dan Relevansinya Dengan Pendidikan Karakter Di Indonesia.” Kamaya: Jurnal Ilmu Agama 9, no. 1 (2026): 108–18. https://doi.org/10.37329/kamaya.v9i1.5199.

Nurgenti, Sheilda. “Revitalisasi Nilai Pendidikan Islam Imam Al-Ghazali dalam Ihya’ Ulumuddin.” Ngaji: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 4, no. 2 (2025): 105–15. https://doi.org/10.24260/ngaji.v4i2.83.

Rohmah, Siti Maemunah, Tajudin Noor, and Undang Ruslan W. “Paradigma Pendidikan Karakter Menurut Pemikiran Imam Al-Ghazali Dalam Kitab Bidāyatul Hidāyah.” Atthulab: Islamic Religion Teaching and Learning Journal 6, no. 2 (2021): 186–206. https://doi.org/10.15575/ath.v6i2.12917.

Sabariah, Hayatun, Salsabila Ramadhani, Adelia Puspita, Razab Rezeki Aulia, and Sulaiman Siregar. “PERAN GURU DALAM PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM PERSPEKTIF AL-GHAZALI DAN RELEVANSINYA TERHADAP PENGUATAN KARAKTER SISWA DI ERA DIGITAL.” AL-ADABIYAH: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam 5 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35719/adabiyah.v5i1.1182.

Salaeh, Arri, Nawawee Saha, Nurul Khair, Djabir Abdoulaye Djabir, and Popoola Kareem Hamed. “Character Education Concepts Based on Al-Ghazali’s Perspective in Ihya’ Ulumuddin.” Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education 5, no. 2 (2023): 231–41. https://doi.org/10.21093/sajie.v5i2.6398.

Shofiah, Siti, Marhan Hasibuan, and Muamar Al Qadri. “Konsep Pendidikan Agama Islam Dalam Kitab Ihya’‘Ulumuddin (Studi Tokoh Imam Al-Ghazali).” JMI: JURNAL MILLIA ISLAMIA 2 (n.d.): 322–32.

Tarani, Muhammad Natsir, Mutohharun Jinan, and M Shobarin Syakur. “Ethical Sufism in Education: Reconstruction of the Concept of Zuhd According to Al-Ghazali and Its Model of Actualization in Pesantren Communities.” Jurnal Ilmu Agama: Mengkaji Doktrin, Pemikiran, Dan Fenomena Agama 27, no. 1 (2026): 82–97. https://doi.org/10.19109/jia.v27i1.33470.

Wartini, Atik. “Education Character In View Of Al-Ghazali And Its Relevance With The Education Character In Indonesia.” Ta’dib 20, no. 2 (2016): 293. https://doi.org/10.19109/td.v20i2.222.

Widya Putri, Nur Aliya, Zayas Farista Zayas Farista, Muhammad Riswanda Kurniawan Muhammad Riswanda Kurniawan, and Muhammad Wawan Permana Muhamaad Wawan Permana. “Pendidikan Karakter Menurut Al-Ghazali Dan Relevansi Terhadap Karakter Gen-Z.” Al-Iqro’ 2, no. 2 (2025): 168–75. https://doi.org/10.54622/aijis.v2i2.520.

Yahya, Muhammad, Ririn Mardana Putri, Selfi Regina Putri, and Silva Ariady. “The Relevance of Al-Ghazali’s Thought to Modern Education: A Literature Review on Ethics, Morals, and Character Development.” Journal of Education and Learning 3, no. 2 (2025).

Zaini, Ahmad. “Pemikiran Tasawuf Imam Al-Ghazali.” Esoterik: Jurnal Akhlak dan Tasawuf 2, no. 1 (2017). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21043/esoterik.v2i1.1902.