Educational Management and the Teaching of Sufi Ethics in Islamic Boarding Schools: A Multi-Site Study of Babussalam Pekanbaru and Baitul Mustaghfirin Al-Amir Deli Serdang

Authors

  • Sodri Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author
  • Muzakkir Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author
  • Rusydi Ananda Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53515/alqodiri.v24i3.317

Keywords:

Educational Management, Sufi Ethics, Islamic Boarding School, POACE, Value Internalization

Abstract

Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) are expected to sustain moral and spiritual formation while responding to institutional and socio-technological change. Yet studies of pesantren character education, Sufism, and educational management often examine these domains separately. This study analyzed how Sufi ethics (akhlak tasawuf) were managed through the POACE functions of Planning, Organizing, Actuating, Controlling, and Evaluating at Pondok Pesantren Babussalam Pekanbaru and Pondok Pesantren Tasawuf dan Tahfizhul Qur'an Baitul Mustaghfirin Al-Amir. A qualitative multi-site design was used. Data were obtained through moderate participant observation, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and document analysis; informants were selected purposively and expanded through snowball sampling until data saturation. Analysis proceeded through within-site analysis followed by cross-site comparison, while trustworthiness was addressed through triangulation, member checking, an audit trail, and researcher reflexivity. The findings showed that planning linked institutional goals with moral-spiritual formation; organizing combined formal role allocation with amanah and khidmah; actuating relied on exemplarity, habituation, and spiritual practice; controlling connected external supervision with muhasabah and muraqabah; and evaluation emphasized knowledge, behavior, and spiritual awareness. Babussalam showed a stronger formal-institutional management orientation, whereas Baitul Mustaghfirin Al-Amir more explicitly integrated Sufism, tahfizh, and residential life. The cross-site synthesis produced a value-based management model in which POACE functions operate as a cycle of value internalization from experience and habituation toward self-regulation and akhlakul karimah.

References

Al-Qurthubi, A. A. (n.d.). Tafsir al-Qurthubi. Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah.

Al-Zurqani, M. A. (1997). Syarh al-Zurqani 'ala Muwatta' al-Imam Malik. Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah.

Alwi, S., Syukran, & Sari, M. (2024). Internalization of character education values in Arabic language learning at Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. Al-Ta'rib: Jurnal Ilmiah Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Arab UIN Palangka Raya, 12(1), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.23971/altarib.v12i1.7882

Arar, K., Sawalhi, R., & Yilmaz, M. (2022). The research on Islamic-based educational leadership since 1990: An international review of empirical evidence and a future research agenda. Religions, 13(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13010042

Bahri, S., Wahid, A. H., & Najiburrahman. (2024). Digital transformation in pesantren: The kyai's role in improving educational services. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 3(2), 61–72. https://doi.org/10.33650/ijess.v3i2.3417

Berkowitz, M. W., Johnson, K., Bier, M. C., McGrath, R. E., & Brown, M. (2023). A comprehensive meta-analysis of character education programs. Journal of Moral Education, 52(2), 119–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2022.2060196

Brooks, M. C., & Ezzani, M. D. (2022). Islamic school leadership: Advancing a framework for critical spirituality. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 35(3), 319–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2021.1930265

Brunsdon, J. J., & Walker, D. I. (2022). Cultivating character through physical education using memetic, progressive and transformative practices in schools. Journal of Moral Education, 51(4), 477–493. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2021.1894105

Budiyanti, N., & Parhan, M. (2024). Evaluating the Ulul Ilmi model: Enhancing spiritual and moral character through holistic Islamic pedagogy in higher education. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 13(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpi.2024.131.55-68

Carsiwan. (2024). Trends in character education for elementary, middle and high school students in Indonesia: Systematic literature review. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Review, 7(2), 240–252. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijerr.v7i2.80764

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Cureton, A. (2022). Character education for students with disabilities. Journal of Moral Education, 51(4), 494–517. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2021.1903407

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Eisl, U., Woolley, M., Hulbert, S., Casson, A., & Bowie, R. A. (2025). Pupil-centred spiritual leadership: An empirical study of thirteen church primary school headteachers in England. International Studies in Catholic Education, 17(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2023.2171622

Eryong, X., & Li, J. (2021). What is the ultimate education task in China? Exploring ‘strengthen moral education for cultivating people’ (‘Li De Shu Ren’). Educational Philosophy and Theory, 53(2), 128–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2020.1754539

Ezzani, M. D., Brooks, M. C., Yang, L., & Bloom, A. (2023). Islamic school leadership and social justice: An international review of the literature. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 26(5), 745–777. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2021.2009037

Fajri, A., & Faizuddin, A. (2022). The concept of integrated Islamic schools in the 21st century: An understanding among school leaders in Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia. UMRAN – Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies, 9(1), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2022.9n1.518

Fernández Espinosa, V., & López González, J. (2024). Virtues and values education in schools: A study in an international sample. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 45(1), 69–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2022.2158018

Firmansyah, S. B., & Abidin, Z. (2024). Character education strategy in pesantren: Integrating morals and spirituality. Ta'dib: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 29(2), 261–275. https://doi.org/10.19109/td.v29i2.25112

Fraser-Pearce, J. (2022). Spiritual education as a subspecies of relational education? British Journal of Religious Education, 44(1), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2021.1877613

Gibbs, N. P., & Nagashima, J. (2022). Sensegathering and iteration: The evolution of a character education framework in higher education. Journal of Moral Education, 51(4), 518–534. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2021.1909547

Gunio, M. J. D. (2021). Determining the influences of a hidden curriculum on students' character development using the Illuminative Evaluation Model. Journal of Curriculum Studies Research, 3(2), 194–206. https://doi.org/10.46303/jcsr.2021.11

Harrison, T., & Laco, D. (2022). Where’s the character education in online higher education? Constructivism, virtue ethics and roles of online educators. E-Learning and Digital Media, 19(6), 555–573. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530221104885

Hart, P. (2022). Reinventing character education: The potential for participatory character education using MacIntyre’s ethics. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 54(4), 486–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2021.1998640

Hasan, M., Taufiq, M., & Elmhemit, H. (2023). Digital transformation of Islamic education in pesantren Madura. TADRIS: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 18(2), 211–226. https://doi.org/10.19105/tjpi.v18i2.10535

Hasibuan, A., Mumtaz, N. M., Anwar, K., Haq, M. M. A., & Nurjaman, A. (2025). Sufistic approach of character education in an Indonesian Islamic boarding school. MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman, 49(1), 184–204. https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v49i1.1332

Hill, E., & Woolley, R. (2022). Religious education and its interaction with the spiritual dimension of childhood: Teachers’ perceptions, understanding and aspirations. Religions, 13(4), 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040280

Ifani, N. N., & Kartiwi, A. P. (2024). Leadership in Indonesian Islamic schools: How leader spiritual and motivational styles affect organizational citizenship behavior and employees' religiosity. Nidhomul Haq: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 9(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndh.v9i1.4559

In'am, A., Tinus, A., & Wulandari, R. T. (2021). The reinforcement of the school culture-based character education. Italian Journal of Sociology of Education, 13(2), 195–218. https://doi.org/10.14658/PUPJ-IJSE-2021-2-9

Korngsook, W., & Piatanom, P. (2023). Approaches to spiritual leadership development of school administrators in schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 11(3), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v11i3.6106

Lamb, M., Dykhuis, E. M., Mendonça, S. E., & Jayawickreme, E. (2022). Commencing character: A case study of character development in college. Journal of Moral Education, 51(2), 238–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2021.1953451

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.

Lovat, T. (2022). Religious education: Robust and bold for a multifaith era. Journal of Religious Education, 70, 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40839-022-00175-9

Mardiah, S. A., Achadi, M. W., & Al Awwaby, M. S. (2024). Religious character education using a compassion approach: A case study at Baitul Qurro' Wal Huffadz Darusshomad Islamic Boarding School. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(2), 605–615. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v6i2.747

McDonnell, J. (2023). RE teachers and the shifting landscape of values education in England. British Journal of Religious Education, 45(3), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2023.2207209

McGrath, R. E., Han, H., Brown, M., & Meindl, P. (2022). What does character education mean to character education experts? A prototype analysis of expert opinions. Journal of Moral Education, 51(2), 219–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2020.1862073

Metcalfe, J., Kristjánsson, K., & Peterson, A. (2024). Exploring religious education teachers’ perspectives on character development and moral virtues, in state-funded, non-faith schools in England. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 45(4), 518–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2023.2186644

Miftahuddin, M., Aman, A., & Yuliantri, R. D. A. (2024). Islamic character education model: An in-depth analysis for Islamic boarding school. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 43(2), 370–380. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v43i2.66516

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Mohd Said, S., Sharif, S., & Abdullah, M. K. (2023). Unveiling the excellent leadership qualities and practices of principals in Islamic schools: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(9), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.9.3

Moulin-Stożek, D., Kurian, N., & Nikolova, A. (2022). Virtue as a response to pandemic and crisis. Oxford Review of Education, 48(3), 289–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2021.1973983

Mu'alimin, M., & Anwar, M. (2022). Transformational leadership: The practice of principals in Islamic schools. Ta'dib: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 27(2), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.19109/td.v27i2.14201

Muid, A., Shohib, M., & Askarullah, A. (2024). Character development strategy for tolerance in Islamic boarding schools. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 5(2), 184–201. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v5i2.833

Muzakkir. (2011). Relevansi ajaran tasawuf pada masa modern. MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v35i1.130

Muzakkir. (2018). Tasawuf: Pemikiran, ajaran dan relevansinya dalam kehidupan. Perdana Publishing.

Muzakkir, Hussin, Z., & Abdul Razak, R. (2024). Teachers' beliefs towards character education curriculum in primary school: A systematic literature review. Education 3-13, 52(8), 1178–1192. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2142478

Nasrullah, A., Salam DZ, A., Haedari, A., & Karim, A. (2023). The role of Islamic Religious Education teachers in character education: A qualitative study at Mutiara Hikmah Vocational High School (SMK). Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 12(1), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpi.2023.121.145-154

Nugroho, A., & Astutik, A. P. (2024). Digital transformation of Islamic boarding school education. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Studies, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijis.v12i2.1723

Peterson, A., & Civil, D. (2023). Virtues, values and the fracturing of civic and moral virtue in citizenship education policy in England. Educational Review, 75(7), 1313–1328. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2021.2023105

Shiddiq, A., Ulfatin, N., Imron, A., & Imron, A. (2024). Developing student character education through Islamic boarding school culture in Islamic elementary schools. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(2), 2276–2288. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.5260

Shula, M., van Wyk, C., & Heystek, J. (2022). School leadership practice at faith-based schools through a servant leadership lens. South African Journal of Education, 42(4), Article 2138. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v42n4a2138

Shula, M., van Wyk, C., & Heystek, J. (2023). Principals' practices of human relationships in faith-based schools: A servant leadership perspective. Africa Education Review, 19(1), 56–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2023.2180040

Stones, A., & Fraser-Pearce, J. (2022). Is there a place for Bildung in preparing Religious Education teachers to support and promote epistemic justice in their classrooms? Journal of Religious Education, 70, 367–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40839-022-00187-5

Thohri, M. (2022). Islamic school leadership model: The challenge in digital era. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(1), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i1.1939

Utami, P. T. (2022). Raising religious inherency: The role of interreligious competence in achieving religious education equality in multireligious public schools in Indonesia. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9, 271. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01298-y

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Downloads

Published

2026-09-21