The Qur’an as a Source of Learning in Islamic Religious Education: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
Qur’an-based learning, Islamic Religious Education, knowledge, reflection, moral formationAbstract
This study examines the Qur’an as a foundational source of learning in Islamic Religious Education through a qualitative library research approach. The study is based on the view that the Qur’an is not only a sacred text to be recited and understood, but also a source of educational principles that shape how knowledge, reflection, guidance, and moral formation are conceptualized in Islam. The data were drawn from selected Qur’anic verses related to learning and knowledge, namely Surah al-‘Alaq (96:1–5), al-Zumar (39:9), Taha (20:114), al-Mujadilah (58:11), al-Nahl (16:43), and Ali ‘Imran (3:190–191), supported by classical and contemporary tafsir as well as relevant scholarship in Islamic education. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and thematic interpretation. The findings show that the Qur’an presents knowledge as the foundation of learning, encourages reflection and critical thinking, defines ethical roles for teachers and learners, and integrates intellectual development with moral and spiritual formation. The study also finds that the Qur’an offers a coherent and relevant framework for renewing contemporary Islamic Religious Education in ways that remain faithful to revelation while responding to present educational needs. The study contributes to Islamic education scholarship by positioning the Qur’an not only as an object of instruction but as a conceptual framework for learning itself.
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