Main Article Content

Abstract

Education is a key factor in strengthening the direction of a civilisation, and in Malaysia, its implementation is based on the National Education Philosophy (NEP). The 21st-century education emphasizes knowledge delivery, innovation, technological competence and the holistic and integrated development of human capital. Teaching and learning (T&L) conducted by teachers at Religious Primary Schools (SRA) under the supervision of the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) follows the curriculum of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). However, research on the development of contemporary pedagogical methods remains limited. This study identifies the key elements contributing to the effectiveness of teaching and learning among SRAJAIM teachers based on Al-Ghazali’s educational principles, which emphasize the balance between character, knowledge and practice, and develops a context-appropriate T&L model. The qualitative study employed literature review and focus group discussions (FGD) involving approximately 40 informants, with data analysed using NVivo software. The findings indicate that the T&L practices of SRAJAIM teachers are consistent with the NEP, particularly with regard to lifelong learning and holistic integrated approaches. Accordingly, the IQRAK Model was developed as a novel contribution and represents the first structured T&L model specifically designed and implemented within the JAIM education system to strengthen human capital development in a holistic and balanced manner.

Keywords

Al-Ghazali’s Educational Philosophy Islamic education IQRAK Model National Education Philosophy SRAJAIM Teachers Teaching Aids Teaching and Learning

Article Details

How to Cite
Mohamad Rohana, N. A., Surtahman, A. W., P. Rameli, M. F., Abdul Razak, A. Q., Halim, F. H., & Johari, M. K. . (2026). The Development of the Iqrak Model Based on Al-Ghazali’s Philosophy in Teaching and Learning Among SRAJAIM Teachers in the 21st Century. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 25(1), 253–290. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol25.iss1.art7

Funding data

References

  1. Abd Aziz, A., Mohammad Mazli, N., Omar, N. A., & Rahman, M. J. A. (2024). Pendekatan pembelajaran berbalik dalam pendidikan abad ke-21 [Turned learning approaches in 21st century education]. International Journal of Educational Research on Andragogy and Pedagogy, 2(1), 99–111. https://ijerap.com/index.php/ijerap/article/view/26

  2. ’Abid, M. H., Nailasariy, A., & Khuzaifah, K. (2025). Pedagogical and professional competence of Islamic religious education teachers in the perspective of technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK): A comparative study at MAN 2 Sleman and MAN 2 Bantul. Kalijaga Journal of Islamic Religious Education, 1(1), 134–154. https://doi.org/10.14421/jire.12052

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/jire.12052
  3. Akbar, A. A., Rameli, M. F. P., Nor, A. R. M., & Johari, M. K. (2024). Critical factors in developing Asnaf Faqir’s career path according to al-Ghazali. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 407–442. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol23.iss1.art13

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol23.iss1.art13
  4. Al-Ghazali. (1988). Ihya’ Ulumuddin (Y. Ismail, Trans.). Victory Ajensi. https://dn790000.ca.archive.org/0/items/terjemahanihyaulumuddinjilid2/Terjemahan%20Ihya%20Ulumuddin%20Jilid%201.pdf

  5. Alhamuddin, & Asikin, I. (2025). The role of the Islamic religious education curriculum in character development: A study of challenges and educational impact in Indonesia. Tarlim: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 8(2), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.32528/tarlim.v8i2.3325

  6. Alhattab, S. (2025). Hadith, education, and identity: An analysis of the integration of Imam al-Nawawi’s forty hadith into Malaysia’s national curriculum. Mevzu – Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, (Ö3-Eğitimde Yeni Yaklaşımlar), 1–33. https://doi.org/10.56720/mevzu.1745880

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.56720/mevzu.1745880
  7. Aslan, A. (2019). Sejarah perjalanan kurikulum pendidikan Islam di Malaysia [History of the Islamic education curriculum in Malaysia]. Journal TA’LIMUNA, 8(1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.32478/talimuna.v1i1.238

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.32478/talimuna.v1i1.238
  8. Assegaf, Abd. R., Zainiyah, H. S., & Fahmi, M. (2022). Curriculum innovation for the internationalization of Islamic education study program at higher education institutions in Surabaya, Indonesia. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 21(3), 671–706. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol21.iss3.art3

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol21.iss3.art3
  9. Azhar, A. (2013). Pendemokrasian sistem pendidikan Islam di Malaysia: Satu tinjauan [Democratizing the Islamic education system in Malaysia: An overview]. ATIKAN: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan, 3(1), 59–72. http://mindamas-journals.com/index.php/atikan/article/view/145

  10. Basir, M. Z. K., Abdullah, N. A. M. T., Sham, F. Md., Samsi, M. S. M., & Gerunsin, N. (2023). Kesepaduan model bimbingan al-Ghazali dan Ibnu Khaldun dalam pelaksanaan program dakwah mualaf [The integration of al-Ghazali and Ibnu Khaldun’s guidance models in implementing the conversion to Islam da’wah program]. Proceedings Borneo International Islamic Conference, 14, 228–238. Borneo Islamic International Conference. https://majmuah.com/journal/index.php/kaib1/issue/view/34

  11. Embong, R. (2020). Perkembangan pendidikan Islam di Nusantara: Malaysia dan Indonesia [The development of Islamic education in the archipelago: Malaysia and Indonesia]. TAMADDUN, 21(1), 135–144. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30587/tamaddun.v21i1.1385

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.30587/tamaddun.v21i1.1385
  12. Haidar, M. A., Hasanah, M., & Ma`arif, M. A. (2023). Educational challenges to human resource development in Islamic education institutions. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 3(4), 366–377. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i4.309

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i4.309
  13. Hamid, N. B. A., & Alam, N. A. R. (2022). The educational orientation of malaysia: The P.I.E.S element of a balanced person in the national education philosophy (NEP): (the perspective of islam through the interpretation of sayid qutb). Idarah (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kependidikan), 6(2), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.47766/idarah.v6i2.963

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.47766/idarah.v6i2.963
  14. Harahap, G. (2018). Konsep komunikasi pendidikan dalam perspektif Al-Qur’an [The concept of educational communication from the perspective of the Qur’an]. Jurnal Dakwah Risalah, 29(2), 143–160. https://doi.org/10.24014/jdr.v29i2.6358

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.24014/jdr.v29i2.6358
  15. Hasan, I., Miftahurrohman, A., & Jamaludin, R. (2025). Strategi guru PAI dalam menerapkan konsep generasi Khaira Ummah [Islamic Religious Education teachers’ strategies in implementing the Khaira Ummah generation concept]. International Seminar On Islamic Education & Peace, 5, 690–699. https://ejournal.uniramalang.ac.id/isiep/article/view/8700

  16. Hidayat, S., Sutisna, A., & Jaelani, R. (2025). Integrating Islamic values into general subjects in elementary schools: A holistic approach to character education. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(4), 2058–2064. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2036

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2036
  17. Hidayati, A., Purwoko, & Helmawati. (2025). Pendidikan akhlak sebagai inti konsep pendidikan islam dalam pemikiran al-Ghazali: Penelitian [Moral education as the core of Islamic education in al-Ghazali’s thought: A study]. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(1), 2606–2616. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i1.1764

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i1.1764
  18. IEMS. (2026). Islamic Education Management System [HTML]. Sistem Pengurusan Pendidikan Islam. https://iems.melaka.gov.my/eRs/index.php/auth/login

  19. Ikhwan, A. (2025). Integrating tajdid and Khaira Ummah in Islamic character education at Muhammadiyah boarding school. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(2), 423–437. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i2.212

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i2.212
  20. Irfani, F., Makbula, M. H., Fariduddin, E. I., & Aly, F. (2025). Moral education in Malaysian islamic boarding schools: Challenges faced by educators in nurturing ethical imitation. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(4), 618–634. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i4.1967

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i4.1967
  21. Islamic, G., Supriyono, Ishaq, M., & Dayati, U. (2024). Character education through philosophical values in traditional Islamic boarding schools. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 45(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2024.45.1.04

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2024.45.1.04
  22. Ismail, S. (2015). Pembangunan insan dalam falsafah pendidikan kebangsaan (Human development in national education philosophy). Journal of Human Capital Development (JHCD), 8(2), 83–100. https://jhcd.utem.edu.my/jhcd/article/view/2087

  23. Ismail, Y. (1988). Ihya’ Ulumiddin oleh Imam Ghazali [Ihya’ Ulumiddin by al-Ghazali]. Victory Ajensi.

  24. Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). (2020, December 1). Kelas Al-Quran & Fardu Ain (KAFA) [Quran & Fardu Ain Classes] [HTML]. Portal Rasmi JAKIM. https://www.islam.gov.my/ms/pendidikan/kafa

  25. Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). (2024). Profil [Profile] [HTML]. Bahagian Pendidikan JAKIM. https://www.islam.gov.my/ms/bahagian-pendidikan/profil

  26. Jalaldeen, J., & Al-Hidabi, D. (2025). Al-Ghazali’s framework of teachings professional values: Analyzing the pedagogical principles in Islamic education. Al-Burhān: Journal of Qurʾān and Sunnah Studies, 9(1), 27–46. https://doi.org/10.31436/alburhn.v9i1.363

  27. Jamal, M. F., Jima’ain, M. T. A., Malek, M. D. H. D., Termizi, M. D. A., & Arif, M. M. (2025). Formation of a balanced and holistic individual: An analysis of the national education philosophy (NEP). SETYAKI : Jurnal Studi Keagamaan Islam, 3(1), 78–88. https://doi.org/10.59966/setyaki.v3i1.1646

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.59966/setyaki.v3i1.1646
  28. Kamridah, K., Husnaeni, M., & Deliany, S. (2025). Tracing educational concepts in the Qur’an: A semantic meaning approach to holistic learning. Utamax : Journal of Ultimate Research and Trends in Education, 7(2), 111–123. https://doi.org/10.31849/ba279616

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.31849/ba279616
  29. Kosim, M., Muqoddam, F., Mubarok, F., & Laila, N. Q. (2023). The dynamics of Islamic education policies in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2172930. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2172930

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2172930
  30. Kusmardiningsih, W. T. (2023). Pendidikan Islam transformatif Imam al-Ghazali: Upaya mewujudkan generasi berakhlak mulia [Imam al-Ghazali’s transformative Islamic education: Efforts to create a generation with noble morals]. MANAGIERE: Journal of Islamic Educational Management, 2(2), 23–40. https://doi.org/10.35719/managiere.v2i2.1881

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.35719/managiere.v2i2.1881
  31. Mohamad Rohana, N. A., Mohammad Sulaiman, N. ’Ainussabi’ah, Halim, F. H., Surtahman, A. W., Abdul Razak, A. Q., & P. Rameli, M. F. (2024, April 27). The 5M approach in 21st Century Islamic education. International Conference on Research in Education and Science (ICRES). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED673178

  32. Mohd Zhaffar, N., Kamaruzaman, M. A. S., & Kamarzaman, M. H. (2022). Penggunaan model pengajaran al-Ghazālī dalam konteks pengajaran berfikir kritis [Using al-Ghazālī’s teaching model in the context of teaching critical thinking]. Islamiyyat, 44(IK), 71–83. https://doi.org/10.17576/islamiyyat-2022-44IK-8

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/islamiyyat-2022-44IK-8
  33. Munir, & Nor, M. R. M. (2021). Characteristics of preserving salafiyah Islamic boarding school traditions: Lessons from Indonesia and Malaysia. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), 67–88. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpi.2021.101.67-88

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/jpi.2021.101.67-88
  34. Nawi, A., & Hamzah, M. I. (2013). Tahap penerimaan penggunaan telefon bimbit sebagai M-pembelajaran dalam pendidikan Islam [Level of acceptance of mobile phone use as M-learning in Islamic education]. Journal of Islamic and Arabic Education, 5(1), 1–10. http://journalarticle.ukm.my/7542/1/50.pdf

  35. Nurandriani, R., & Alghazal, S. (2022). Konsep pendidikan islam menurut Ibnu Khaldun dan relevansinya dengan sistem pendidikan nasional [The concept of Islamic education according to Ibn Khaldun and its relevance to the national education system]. Jurnal Riset Pendidikan Agama Islam, 27–36. https://doi.org/10.29313/jrpai.v2i1.731

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.29313/jrpai.v2i1.731
  36. Osman, S. F. (2023). Faktor bahan bantu mengajar yang menyokong pengamalan pemikiran kritis guru pendidikan Islam dalam meningkatkan kemahiran pembelajaran abad ke-21: Factors in teaching aids that support Islamic education teachers’ critical thinking practice in improving 21st century learning skills. Sains Insani, 8(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.33102/sainsinsani.vol8no1.428

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.33102/sainsinsani.vol8no1.428
  37. Rajikal, W., & Hamzah, M. I. (2020). Kajian sistematik pengajaran abad ke-21 (PAK21) dalam kalangan guru pendidikan Islam (GPI): Systematic review of 21st century teaching among Islamic education teachers. ATTARBAWIY: Malaysian Online Journal of Education, 4(2), 103–113. https://doi.org/10.53840/attarbawiy.v4i2.46

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.53840/attarbawiy.v4i2.46
  38. Rasyidi, A. H., Nasri, U., Ayatullah, & Haris, A. (2025). Formulation of Islamic educational thought: An approach and literature review in Islamic educational practice. Journal of Islamic Religious Studies, 2(2), 203–216. https://doi.org/10.67028/jirs.v2i2.105

  39. Razak, D. A., & Hashim, R. (2019). Pentafsiran baharu falsafah pendidikan kebangsaan dan pelaksanaannya pasca 2020 [A new interpretation of the national education philosophy and its implementation post-2020] (D. A. Razak & R. Hashim, Eds.). IIUM Press, International Islamic University Malaysia.

  40. Ridwan, Riza, M., & Ariani, T. (2025). Developing the competence of Islamic education teachers in designing instructional media at public elementary schools in Ketol District. Journal of Multicultural Education and Social Studies, 2(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.37249/jomess.v2i1.1301

  41. Rohaeni, A., Wasliman, I., Rostini, D., & Iriantara, Y. (2021). Management of noble moral education for madrasah aliyah students at Persatuan Islam Boarding School. Journal of Industrial Engineering & Management Research, 2(4), 154–171. https://doi.org/10.7777/jiemar.v2i4.174

  42. Rokhim, A. (2025). The role of Islamic religious education in shaping a moderate character. International Journal of Islamic Pedagogical Research, 1(1), 20–35. https://doi.org/10.65789/ijipr.v1i1.36

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.65789/ijipr.v1i1.36
  43. Saadon, R., Ariffin, K., & Saat, I. (2016). The educational development of the Malays in Malaya before the Emergence of Western-Type-Education. Perspektif: Jurnal Sains Sosial Dan Kemanusiaan, 8(2), 79–96. https://ir.upsi.edu.my/files/docs/2020/2586_2586.pdf

  44. Shodikin, E. N., Sa’adi, S., Nugroho, A., & Intania, N. (2025). Crisis of spirituality and rationality balance in Islamic education: Philosophical analysis of K.H. Ahmad Dahlan’s educational thought. An-Nuha : Jurnal Kajian Islam, Pendidikan, Budaya Dan Sosial, 12(2), 365–380. https://doi.org/10.64810/annuha.v12i2.854

  45. Ujang, Z. (2009). Menghayati budaya ilmu: Faham ilmu, amalan, dan panduan [Appreciating the culture of knowledge: Understand knowledge, practices, and guidelines] (2nd ed.). Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

  46. Zahra, A. S., Widad, S., Salsabila, I. A., & Abu Bakar, M. Y. (2024). Integrasi tarbiyah, talim dan ta’dib: Pilar utama pendidikan Islam [Integration of tarbiyah, ta’lim and ta’dib: The main pillars of Islamic education]. Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu Akademik, 1(6), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.61722/jmia.v1i6.2819

  47. Zaid, M. B. M., Ismail, W. O. A. S. W., Azman, M. F., Zakaria, M. A. A., & Noor, M. L. H. M. (2024). Penerapan falsafah pendidikan kebangsaan (FPK) dan pendidikan literasi digital dalam kurikulum [Application of the philosophy of national education (FPK) and digital literacy education in the curriculum]. Asian People Journal (APJ), 7(1), 164–179. https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2024.7.1.616

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.37231/apj.2024.7.1.616
  48. Zairul, M. (2021). Can member check be verified in real time? Introducing ARC (Asking, record, confirm) for member checking validation strategy in qualitative research. Engineering Journal, 25(1), 245–251. https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2021.25.1.245

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2021.25.1.245
  49. Zarif, M. M. M. (2020). The significance of the ‘ten fundamentals’ (al-Mabādi’ al- ‘Asharah) in conceptualizing the epistemic aims of learning in Islam. Jurnal Akidah & Pemikiran Islam, 45–78. https://doi.org/10.22452/afkar.sp2020no2.2

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.22452/afkar.sp2020no2.2
  50. Zulkefli, M. I. I., Nuri Al-Amin Endut, M., & Abdullah, M. R. T. L. (2024). Exploring factors affecting the sustainability of Islamic affairs in Malaysia: An interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 19(2), 703–713. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.190227

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.190227

Most read articles by the same author(s)