The Integration of Spiritual Intelligence (SQ), Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Intellectual Intelligence (IQ) in Leadership at the Darussalam Islamic Educational Foundation

Muhammad Jundullah (Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang)
Astuti Darmiyanti (Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang)
Tajuddin Nur (Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang)

al-Afkar, Journal For Islamic Studies
Vol. 9 No. 4 (2026)

This research is motivated by the limited empirical studies on the integration of spiritual (SQ), emotional (EQ), and intellectual (IQ) intelligence in the leadership of Islamic educational institutions, whereas this holistic approach is believed to have a significant impact on the formation of student character and the quality of educational policies. The purpose of this study is to describe the pattern of Islamic leadership in policy formulation, analyze the form of integration of the three intelligences in leadership style, and evaluate its impact on the character of students at the Darussalam Islamic Education Foundation. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving 10 informants selected purposively, consisting of foundation leaders, principals, teachers, and students. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation, then analyzed thematically. The results of the study indicate that the integration of SQ, EQ, and IQ in leadership contributes significantly to the birth of humanistic, spiritual, and rational policies. These findings strengthen the theory of multiple intelligences and the theory of transformative leadership which emphasizes the synergy of cognitive, affective, and spiritual aspects in educational decision making. The main conclusion of this study is that leadership based on the integration of multidimensional intelligence creates a more inclusive, character-based, and sustainable educational ecosystem. The theoretical implications of this study include enriching the literature on contemporary Islamic leadership based on values. The practical implications include recommendations for educational institutions, local governments, and policy makers to develop leadership training models that emphasize the balance between IQ, EQ, and SQ in the context of education. This study also opens up opportunities for further studies on the effectiveness of the integrative leadership model on the quality of education and character reform in other Islamic institutions.