Faith and Morals from the Perspective of Al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawaih: Comparative Analysis and Its Relevance for Contemporary Islamic Education

Abstract

The issue of faith and morality remains a fundamental challenge in contemporary Islamic education, particularly in developing a holistic and sustainable religious character. Amidst the trend toward cognitive and normative education, this study revisits the thoughts of classical scholars, particularly al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawaih, as a relevant conceptual foundation to address this need. This study aims to understand and compare the thoughts of al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawaih on faith and morality, while also examining their relevance to the development of contemporary faith and morality education models. The specific objectives of the study include: (1) explaining al-Ghazali's thoughts on faith and morality; (2) analyzing Ibn Miskawaih's thoughts on faith and morality; (3) conducting a comparative analysis of the concepts of faith and morality of both figures; and (4) examining the contributions of their thoughts to contemporary Islamic education. This study uses a literary or library approach, collecting data from printed books, scientific journals, and online sources, thus providing comprehensive insight into the study's theme. The results of the study show that al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawaih have different approaches in developing morals; al-Ghazali emphasizes the spiritual dimension and purification of the soul through the internalization of faith, while Ibn Miskawaih emphasizes rationality, moral habituation, and systematic self-control. Despite their differences, both agree that the balanced development of the mind, heart, and spirit is the foundation for moral formation. These findings indicate that the thoughts of al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawaih remain relevant as a foundation for holistic, value-based faith and moral education, and are capable of forming a comprehensive religious character in the context of contemporary Islamic education.