This study discusses the innovation and research in the learning design of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) in response to digital technological development, social change, and the demands of 21st-century competencies. PAI learning is no longer sufficient when oriented solely toward the transmission of religious knowledge; it must also focus on character building, strengthening Islamic values, and developing students’ critical and creative thinking skills. This study aims to analyze trends in innovative PAI learning design, the role of the Research and Development (R&D) method, the contribution of experimental research to learning model development, and the urgency of scientific publication in advancing Islamic education. This research employs a library research method with a descriptive qualitative approach by analyzing books, accredited national journal articles, and other relevant scholarly sources. The findings indicate that innovations in PAI learning design increasingly emphasize digital technology integration, active learning models, character-based education, and interdisciplinary approaches. The R&D method has proven effective in producing systematic, valid, and applicable learning products, while experimental research provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of innovative learning models. This study highlights the importance of continuous innovation and scientific publication to improve the quality of Islamic education.
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