International Journal of Islamic Boarding School
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Islamic Boarding School

Fiqh Studies and Critical Thinking in Pesantren-Based Islamic Education: Revisiting UNESCO’s Four Pillars

Muhammad Munir (Unknown)
Faizetul Ukhrawiyah (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study is important because it addresses the growing need for critical thinking in Islamic boarding school-based education, which is often considered to emphasize traditionalism and rote learning rather than analytical engagement. Despite this perception, the study of fiqh, the traditional Islamic discourse on problem solving, contains dialogical and analytical elements that have not been sufficiently researched in the context of contemporary education. Using a qualitative research approach based on library research with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design, this study examines literature from 2010 to 2024 sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review identified three main themes: (1) the pedagogical structure of fiqh studies, (2) its cognitive impact on students' critical reasoning, and (3) the integration of pesantren traditions with higher education pedagogy. The findings show that fiqh studies offer a culturally rooted, reflective, and problem-oriented model of inquiry that encourages students to engage in argumentation, ethical deliberation, and collaborative learning. This review contributes to the ongoing debate on the decolonization of education and offers insights into how traditional Islamic epistemology can contribute to global educational reform.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijibs

Publisher

Subject

Religion Education Social Sciences Other

Description

Aims, Focus and Scope A. Aims: International Journal of Islamic Boarding School is a leading peer-reviewed and open-access journal, which publishes scholarly works of researchers and scholars worldwide and specializes in the Social Sciences. The journal also has a strong interest in the scientific ...