The Exemplary Role of Adab Subject Teachers in Strengthening the Religious Character of Female Students at Nurul Iman Tahfizh Islamic Senior High School, Karanganyar

Abstract

This study examines the exemplary role of Adab subject teachers in strengthening the religious character of female students at Madrasah Aliyah Tahfizh Nurul Iman Karanganyar. The research aims to analyze how teachers’ exemplary behavior contributes to the internalization and reinforcement of students’ religious character values. A qualitative descriptive approach with supportive quantitative data was employed. Data were collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. The research participants consisted of 30 female students selected purposively.The findings reveal that teachers’ exemplary practices—reflected in consistent worship habits, polite communication, discipline, and moral conduct—play a significant role in strengthening students’ religious character. Quantitative results indicate that 83.3% of students demonstrated a high level of religious discipline, 80.0% showed strong obedience to religious norms, 76.7% exhibited commendable moral behavior in daily interactions, and 73.3% displayed increased consistency in practicing religious values both inside and outside the classroom. These findings suggest that teacher exemplarity in Adab instruction is a crucial factor in fostering and sustaining students’ religious character.This study concludes that strengthening religious character through teacher exemplarity is effective when supported by consistent role modeling, a religious school culture, and continuous guidance, making it a strategic approach for character education in Islamic secondary schools