Pentingnya Pendidikan Akhlak Menurut Al-Ghazali Dalam Membentuk Karakter Siswa

The moral degradation crisis among students in the modern era is increasingly evident through the rise of bullying behavior, the decline of respect toward teachers and parents, and the weakening of social ethics within educational environments. This condition indicates that contemporary education tends to prioritize academic achievement over character building and students’ spiritual development. This study aims to analyze the importance of moral education according to Al-Ghazali in shaping students’ character in the modern era. This research employs a library research method by examining Al-Ghazali’s primary works, especially Ihya’ Ulumuddin and Ayyuhal Walad, along with journals and literature related to character education. The data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive-philosophical analysis techniques. The findings reveal that Al-Ghazali’s concept of moral education, which is based on tazkiyatun nafs (purification of the soul), habituation (riyadhah), and exemplary conduct, remains highly relevant in addressing today’s moral crisis among students. According to Al-Ghazali, education should not merely emphasize intellectual achievement, but also spiritual formation, self-control, and moral awareness. Therefore, Al-Ghazali’s moral education concept can serve as an important foundation for reconstructing a more humanistic, substantial, and applicable character education system in modern schools.