Mendidik dengan Jiwa: Telaah Pemikiran KH. Imam Zarkasyi tentang Pendidikan Islam Berkarakter

Abstract

Ideally, Islamic education serves as a means to shape a complete human being—knowledgeable, faithful, and noble in character. However, the reality of modern education often becomes trapped in cognitive orientation and academic achievement alone, neglecting the spiritual dimension and the development of the educator’s soul. This condition has led to a crisis of character and the loss of the true spirit of education. This study aims to examine KH. Imam Zarkasyi’s thoughts on character-based Islamic education, particularly the concept of “educating with the soul” which forms the philosophical foundation of the educational system at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. The research is a library study with a qualitative-descriptive approach, employing content analysis methods to analyze KH. Imam Zarkasyi’s works, ideas, and educational system. Primary sources include his writings, speeches, and official documents, while secondary sources consist of books, journals, and previous relevant studies. The findings reveal that KH. Imam Zarkasyi’s educational thought emphasizes a balance between knowledge, faith, and morality, as well as the importance of example, sincerity, and teacher-like leadership in education. These values are highly relevant to contemporary Islamic education, as they restore the essence of education as a process of nurturing the soul and shaping the holistic character of human beings.