Synthesizing traditions: A framework for integrating classical islamic theology into modern educational paradigms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i2.1107Keywords:
Islamic Theology, Traditional and Modern, Education, Educational ParadigmsAbstract
In an era of globalization, secularism, and rapid technological change, Islamic theology faces the imperative to remain dynamically engaged with contemporary social, political, and ethical issues. This study systematically maps the current scholarly discourse on integrating traditional Islamic theological principles with modern educational paradigms to meet this challenge. Employing the PRISMA framework, we conducted a systematic literature review of relevant studies published over the past five years from Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Our analysis identifies and synthesizes several pivotal trends: a discernible shift in theological discourse from a purely theocentric to a more anthropocentric perspective, the application of theology to modern challenges like economic justice, ethical leadership, and environmental sustainability, and the critical role of contextual hermeneutics. Furthermore, the findings underscore theology's essential engagement with issues of gender equality, interfaith dialogue, and technological ethics. We argue that Islamic theology functions not as a static relic but as a dynamic framework, offering robust ethical guidance for modern Muslim societies. This review provides a synthesized conceptual map of this evolving landscape, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and theologians committed to developing a contextually relevant and inclusive Islamic theological education.
References
Abdul Jaleel, K. A., Khader Aneesh, A. A., Shahid, M., Abdul Rasheed, K. M., Razeena, S., Mubeena, M., & Nubeera, M. (2024). Cultivating knowledge: A comprehensive examination of madrasa education system in india. In Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol. 525, pp. 787–801). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54383-8_60
Addzaky, K. U., Hasanah, U., Hasanah, I. F., & Asy’ari, M. (2025). CONTEXTUALIZING LIBERATION THEOLOGY IN INDONESIAN RELIGIOUS LITERATURE THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF K.H. ABDURRAHMAN WAHID. Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan, 23(1), 142–178. https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v23i1.1285
Afsaruddin, A. (2015). Contemporary issues in Islam. In Contemporary Issues in Islam. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84969677557&partnerID=40&md5=3d40cfec03e135b1be50869b99dd3d16
Almazova, L. I. (2016). Radical islamic groups in contemporary Russia: State policy and inner processes in muslim communities. Oriental Studies, 26(4), 201–215. https://doi.org/10.22162/2075-7794-2016-26-4-201-215
Ashafa, S. A., Raimi, L., & Bamiro, N. B. (2025). Catalytic role of Islam’s social well-being and economic justice as determinants of peaceful coexistence: a systematic literature review using PRISMA. International Journal of Ethics and Systems. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-10-2024-0321
Bensaid, B., & Machouche, S. (2019). Muslim morality as foundation for social harmony. Journal of Al-Tamaddun, 14(2), 51–63. https://doi.org/10.22452/JAT.vol14no2.5
Charfi, A. (2025). Islam: A Changing Religious Institution in the Era of Globalization*. In The Islamic World and the Mediterranean: From Colonial Legacy to Political and Cultural Interdependence (pp. 15–20). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003431206-4
Dreier, L., & Wagner, C. (2021). Nicht-Passung in der Hochschule Nicht-Passungen, kulturelles sowie religiöses Kapital bei Studierenden der Islamischen Theologie. Zeitschrift Fur Padagogik, 67(3), 410–430. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85210761568&partnerID=40&md5=b953cda00be895259d972ffbda6ea6ab
Foltz, R. C. (2009). Islam. In The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195178722.003.0009
Gilani, M. H., Ali, S., & Mohyiddeen, G. (2024). REIMAGINING ISLAMIC DISCOURSE: TOWARDS A GLOBAL ETHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONTEMPORARY LEADERSHIP. Al-Shajarah, 2024(Special issue), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.31436/shajarah.vi.1931
Günther, S. (2009). The principles of instruction are the grounds of our knowledge: Al-Fārābī‘s philosophical and al-Ghazālī‘s spiritual approaches to learning. In Trajectories of Education in the Arab World: Legacies and Challenges (pp. 15–35). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203873755-9
Leskova, I. V. (2019). Social mechanisms of harmonization of the relations between muslim and Christian culture. Bogoslovni Vestnik, 79(4), 1053–1061. https://doi.org/10.34291/BV2019/04/Leskova
Lumbard, J. E. B. (2025). Islam, coloniality, and the pedagogy of cognitive liberation in higher education. Teaching in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2025.2468974
Naghipour, M., & Pourmohammad, M. (2012). The significant role of the intellect in confronting contemporary global challenges: The taught of the holy Quran. Global Journal Al-Thaqafah, 2(2), 47–52. https://doi.org/10.7187/GJAT222012.02.02
Saada, N., & Magadlah, H. (2021). The meanings and possible implications of critical Islamic religious education. British Journal of Religious Education, 43(2), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2020.1785844
Shaleh, M. (2024). Development of a Holistic-integrative Islamic Religious Education Curriculum in an Integrated Islamic School. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2024(113), 227–241. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2024.113.13
Sijamhodžić-Nadarević, D. (2024). Philosophy and Pedagogy of Islamic Education in Today’s Europe. Journal of Muslims in Europe, 13(3), 365–378. https://doi.org/10.1163/22117954-bja10106
Subakir, A. (2020). Integrating Islamic Education Based Value: Response to Global Challenges and Socio-Environment. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 469(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/469/1/012106
Suleman, M. (2020). Islam and biomedical research ethics. In Islam and Biomedical Research Ethics. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429200687
Suyatno, S., Wantini, W., Sukiman, S., & Rachmawati, Y. (2022). Progressive Islamic Education: Bridging the Gap of Islam, Indonesianness, and Modernity. Qualitative Report, 27(1), 226–242. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.4782
Tripp, C. (2006). Islam and the moral economy: The challenge of capitalism. In Islam and the Moral Economy: The Challenge of Capitalism. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511617614
Ulfat, F. (2020). Empirical research: Challenges and impulses for Islamic religious education. British Journal of Religious Education, 42(4), 415–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2020.1711513
Umiarso, K. (2019). The philosophy and methodology of islam-science integration: Unravelling the transformation of indonesian islamic higher institutions. Ulumuna, 23(1), 135–162. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v23i1.359
Wibawa, N. H. H. P., & Fata, A. K. (2023). FROM GOD TO HUMANITY: Reconstruction of Islamic Theology in Contemporary Era. Journal of Dharma, 48(4), 429–448. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85185665407&partnerID=40&md5=0f9bfdfd8e6e4366790da7c76da052b7
Zh, M. H. R., Kuswandi, D., & Fadhli, M. (2025). Flipbook vs Presentation Media: Revisiting Empirical Studies and Literature Review in Islamic Education. Dinasti International Journal of Education Management and Social Science, 6(3), 1793–1803.
Zh, M. H. R., Thaariq, Z. Z. A., & Ardiansyah, A. (2024). Mobile Learning: Future Learning Technologies for Islamic Formal Education (A Literature Study). Proceedings of International Conference on Education, 2(1), 370–377.













