The Role of Islamic Education Teachers in Fostering Junior High School Students' Religious Character (Aqidah and Akhlak) through a Scientific Approach

Ghozali Ghozali (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia)
Mohammad Asrori (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)
Mokhammad Yahya (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)

At-Ta'lim : Media Informasi Pendidikan Islam
Vol 25, No 1 (2026): JUNE

ENGLISH: The Role of Islamic Education Teachers in Fostering Junior High School Students' Religious Character (Aqidah and Akhlak) through a Scientific ApproachObjective: This Objective: This study aims to analyze the role of Islamic Education teachers in fostering junior high school students' religious character, particularly in Aqidah and Akhlak, through a scientific approach. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data credibility was established using source and technique triangulation. Results: The findings indicate that Islamic Education teachers serve as facilitators, motivators, mentors, supervisors, and role models by integrating Aqidah and Akhlak values into every stage of the scientific approach. Implementation was supported by teacher commitment, a religious school environment, and habituation programs, while variations in students' backgrounds, limited parental supervision, and negative peer influence remained major challenges. Conclusion: Integrating religious values (Aqidah and Akhlak) into the scientific approach effectively strengthens students' religious character in junior high school. Contribution: This study contributes an integrative model of scientific-based Islamic Education learning to strengthen students' Aqidah and Akhlak in secondary educational institutionsINDONESIAN: Peran Guru Pendidikan Islam dalam Membentuk Karakter Religius (Akidah dan Akhlak) Siswa SMP melalui Pendekatan Saintifik Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran guru Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI) dalam membina karakter religius siswa sekolah menengah pertama, khususnya pada aspek Akidah dan Akhlak, melalui pendekatan saintifik. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Kredibilitas data diuji menggunakan triangulasi sumber dan teknik. Hasil: Temuan menunjukkan bahwa guru PAI berperan sebagai fasilitator, motivator, pembimbing, pengawas, dan teladan dengan mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai Akidah dan Akhlak ke dalam setiap tahapan pendekatan saintifik. Implementasi didukung oleh komitmen guru, lingkungan sekolah yang religius, dan program pembiasaan, sementara perbedaan latar belakang siswa, keterbatasan pengawasan orang tua, serta pengaruh teman sebaya menjadi tantangan utama. Kesimpulan: Integrasi nilai-nilai religius (Akidah dan Akhlak) ke dalam pendekatan saintifik efektif menguatkan karakter religius siswa di sekolah menengah pertama. Kontribusi: Penelitian ini menyumbangkan model pembelajaran PAI berbasis pendekatan saintifik untuk memperkuat Akidah dan Akhlak siswa di lembaga pendidikan menengah.