Menara Ilmu
Vol 20, No 1 (2026): Vol 20 No. 01 JULI 2026

Classical Conceptions of Moral Education: A Comparative Analysis of Al-Ghazali’s Tazkiyatun Nafs and Ibnu Miskawaih’s Tahdzib al-Akhlaq and Their Relevance to the Contemporary Youth Moral Crisis

Armalena Armalena (Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat)
Ali Amran (Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat)
Erman Erman (Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta)
Tamrin Kamal (Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta)
Firdaus Firdaus (Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 Jul 2026

Abstract

Adolescence in the current digital era is confronting a complex moral crisis and value disorientation, manifested in phenomena such as cyber-bullying, hedonism, and identity insecurity. This research aims to reconstruct a holistic moral education model by synthesizing the classical insights of Al-Ghazali and Ibnu Miskawaih. The methodology employed is qualitative library research with a comparative-philosophical approach toward the concepts of Tazkiyatun Nafs (Purification of the Soul) and Tahdzib al-Akhlaq (Refinement of Character). The findings indicate that Al-Ghazali emphasizes a "bottom-up" spiritual transformation through heart purification to achieve divine proximity, whereas Ibnu Miskawaih underscores a "top-down" rational habituation through moderation to achieve social well-being. The novelty of this research lies in the formulation of the "Spiritual-Rational Moral Dialectics" model, where spirituality functions as the depth of internal meaning and rationality serves as the logical structure for action to ensure ethical consistency. This study concludes that effective moral education requires a synergy between inner spiritual resilience and critical reasoning. Reliance solely on spiritual aspects risks social detachment, while an exclusive focus on rationality may produce individuals lacking in empathy. This integrative model offers a strategic navigation tool for educators and counselors to foster a generation possessing both spiritual clarity and intellectual acumen, ensuring the sustainability of a dignified civilization amidst massive technological disruption.Keyword:Al-Ghazali; Ibnu Miskawaih; Tazkiyatun Nafs; Tahdzib al-Akhlaq; Moral EducationDigital Era.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

menarailmu

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Computer Science & IT Education

Description

MENARA ILMU, Merupakan Jurnal Penelitian dan Kajian Ilmiah yang Diterbitkan Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat. Penyunting menerima kiriman naskah hasil kajian dan penelitian untuk bidang Eksakta, pendidikan/sosial dan Agama Islam untuk ...