<![CDATA[This study aims to describe and analyze the implementation of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning and its contribution to improving students' critical thinking skills at SMA N 1 Semarapura. PBL was chosen as the learning model because it provides an active, challenging, and contextual learning environment through the presentation of authentic problems relevant to students' lives. This study used a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation involving Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers, students, and school officials as key informants. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The results indicate that the implementation of PBL in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning involves several stages: problem orientation, group learning organization, independent inquiry, solution development, and presentation of learning outcomes. Through this process, students are actively involved in identifying problems, analyzing information, formulating arguments, and concluding solutions based on Islamic values. The implementation of PBL has been proven to improve students' critical thinking skills, as reflected in their ability to provide in-depth analysis, ask reflective questions, and express opinions logically and argumentatively. Despite challenges such as limited time, student readiness, and the need for teachers to design engaging problem scenarios, these obstacles can be overcome with school support and the familiarization of innovative learning models. Overall, the implementation of PBL has a positive impact on the quality of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning and contributes to the development of student character as a generation of intelligent, critical, and noble Muslims. This study recommends the continued implementation of PBL to improve the quality of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning in secondary schools. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan dan menganalisis implementasi model Problem Based Learning (PBL) dalam pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI) serta kontribusinya dalam meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa di SMA N 1 Semarapura. PBL dipilih sebagai model pembelajaran karena mampu menghadirkan situasi belajar yang aktif, menantang, dan kontekstual melalui penyajian masalah-masalah autentik yang relevan dengan kehidupan siswa. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi yang melibatkan guru PAI, siswa, dan pihak sekolah sebagai informan utama. Analisis data dilakukan melalui reduksi data, penyajian data, serta penarikan kesimpulan menggunakan model interaktif Miles dan Huberman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa implementasi PBL dalam pembelajaran PAI dilakukan melalui beberapa tahapan, yaitu orientasi masalah, pengorganisasian belajar kelompok, penyelidikan mandiri, pengembangan solusi, dan presentasi hasil pembelajaran. Melalui proses ini, siswa terlibat aktif dalam mengidentifikasi masalah, menganalisis informasi, merumuskan argumen, dan menyimpulkan solusi berdasarkan nilai-nilai Islam. Penerapan PBL terbukti mampu meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa, yang tercermin dari kemampuan mereka dalam memberikan analisis mendalam, mengajukan pertanyaan reflektif, dan mengemukakan pendapat secara logis serta argumentatif. Meskipun terdapat tantangan seperti keterbatasan waktu, kesiapan siswa, dan kebutuhan guru untuk merancang skenario masalah yang menarik, hambatan tersebut dapat diatasi dengan dukungan sekolah dan pembiasaan penggunaan model pembelajaran inovatif. Secara keseluruhan, implementasi PBL memberikan dampak positif bagi kualitas pembelajaran PAI dan berkontribusi terhadap pembentukan karakter siswa sebagai generasi muslim yang cerdas, kritis, dan berakhlak mulia. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan penerapan PBL secara berkelanjutan untuk meningkatkan kualitas pembelajaran PAI di sekolah menengah.]]>
