The Philosophical Foundations of Akhlaq as the Fundamental Pillar of Islamic Education

Abstract

Morality (akhlaq) constitutes the core of Islamic education, positioning moral and spiritual values as the primary foundation for the formation of the insan kamil (the complete human being). However, existing studies tend to examine akhlaq either from a classical normative-theological perspective or from contemporary pedagogical approaches, without offering an integrative philosophical synthesis that bridges both traditions. This study addresses this gap by providing a systematic reconstruction of akhlaq as a philosophical foundation of Islamic education through a critical synthesis of classical and contemporary scholarship. This study aims to examine in depth the position of akhlak within the philosophical framework of Islamic education by employing a library research method based on articles, academic journals, and both classical and contemporary literature. By comparatively analyzing classical thinkers and contemporary educational discourses, this research develops a novel conceptual synthesis that repositions akhlaq not merely as a moral teaching component, but as the ontological, epistemological, and axiological core of Islamic education. The findings indicate that akhlak is not merely a supplementary component, but rather the very spirit of Islamic education that guides its objectives, methods, and practical implementation. The principal contribution of this study lies in articulating a coherent philosophical model that integrates classical moral philosophy with contemporary educational challenges, thereby offering a renewed theoretical framework for understanding akhlaq in modern Islamic education. Therefore, Islamic education oriented toward akhlak is expected to address the challenges of moral degradation in the modern era while fostering a generation that excels in faith, knowledge, and righteous action.