Islamic Education and Character Formation in Contemporary Muslim Society

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between Islamic education and character formation in contemporary Muslim society. Islamic education is not only concerned with the transmission of religious knowledge, but also with the formation of ethical personality, social responsibility, spiritual discipline, and civic awareness. Using a narrative literature review, the article maps several important dimensions of character formation in Islamic education, including the concept of adab, the cultivation of akhlaq, the role of teachers and exemplary behavior, the importance of family and school culture, and the contribution of pesantren and madrasah traditions. The article argues that character formation in Islamic education works through the integration of knowledge, habituation, moral example, community participation, and institutional culture. In contemporary Muslim society, Islamic education faces new challenges related to digital media, individualism, consumer culture, moral fragmentation, intolerance, and the gap between religious knowledge and daily practice. However, these challenges also create opportunities for renewing Islamic education so that it becomes more contextual, inclusive, and responsive to social change. The article concludes that character formation should remain a central orientation of Islamic education, while its methods need to adapt to contemporary realities.