<![CDATA[The widespread phenomena of character crisis, moral disorientation, and ecological degradation in the modern era indicate a fundamental epistemological problem in how human beings understand, acquire, and apply knowledge. Within Islamic epistemology, sustainable character and civilization formation cannot be separated from the integration of concentration (the cognitive-rational dimension) and contemplation (the affective-spiritual dimension). This study offers a philosophical exegesis of the first Quranic revelation, Iqra' Bismi Rabbika al-Ladzī Khalaq, as an epistemic foundation affirming the unity of reason (aql), heart (qalb), and moral character (akhlaq) in knowledge acquisition. Using a descriptive-analytical qualitative method through library research, this study examines classical and contemporary exegetical literature, Islamic epistemological philosophy, and recent scholarship on character, ethics, and spirituality. The findings reveal that Iqra' is not merely an act of reading texts, but an integral reading of the self, nature, and transcendent reality. An imbalance between concentration and contemplation produces epistemic distortion: concentration without contemplation yields intellectually brilliant yet morally barren scholars, while contemplation without concentration produces spiritually sensitive yet analytically fragile ones. Islamic epistemology therefore offers a holistic paradigm asserting that educational and civilizational renewal must be rooted in the unity of reason, heart, and moral character as the foundation for cultivating the complete human being (insān kāmil) and a sustainable civilizational order. Abstrak Fenomena krisis karakter, disorientasi moral, dan degradasi ekologis pada era modern mengindikasikan persoalan epistemologis mendasar dalam cara manusia memahami, memperoleh, dan menggunakan ilmu. Dalam epistemologi Islam, pembentukan karakter dan peradaban berkelanjutan tidak dapat dilepaskan dari integrasi konsentrasi (dimensi kognitif-rasional) dan kontemplasi (dimensi afektif-spiritual). Kajian ini menafsirkan wahyu pertama, Iqra' Bismi Rabbika al-Ladzī Khalaq, sebagai fondasi epistemik yang menegaskan kesatuan akal, hati, dan akhlaq dalam proses keilmuan. Melalui metode kualitatif deskriptif-analitis dengan pendekatan studi kepustakaan, penelitian ini menelaah literatur tafsir klasik-kontemporer, filsafat epistemologi Islam, serta kajian mutakhir tentang karakter, etika, dan spiritualitas. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Iqra' bukan sekadar aktivitas membaca teks, tetapi juga membaca diri, alam, dan realitas transenden secara integral. Ketidakseimbangan antara konsentrasi dan kontemplasi melahirkan distorsi epistemik: konsentrasi tanpa kontemplasi menghasilkan ilmuwan "berjiwa monster" — cerdas intelektual namun kering moral; sebaliknya, kontemplasi tanpa konsentrasi menghasilkan ilmuwan "cacat" — peka ruhani namun rapuh analitis. Epistemologi Islam menawarkan paradigma holistik yang menegaskan bahwa pembaruan pendidikan dan peradaban harus berakar pada kesatuan akal–hati–akhlaq sebagai kerangka pembentukan insān kāmil dan tatanan peradaban berkelanjutan.]]>
