In other words...

In other words, the religious education does not merely aim to produce scholars but to cultivate morally upright individuals who embody the values of Islam in both private and public life. From the Prophetic perspective, education was never abstracted from character formation. The (peace be upon him and his family) said, “I was sent only to perfect noble character [3] ” .

This hadith encapsulates the very spirit of Islamic education — the moral and spiritual reform of the self as a means to social harmony. Therefore, Islamic pedagogy emphasizes the unity of knowledge and action, recognizing that learning devoid of moral practice is incomplete and potentially dangerous. Understanding Youth Deviance from an Islamic Perspective The phenomenon of youth deviance — whether moral, social, or behavioral — poses a significant challenge to Muslim societies today.

In Islamic moral philosophy, deviance is understood not merely as the violation of social norms, but as a departure from divine guidance. The Qur’an repeatedly warns against the spiritual consequences of such deviation, describing it as a state of moral blindness: “Have you seen him who has taken his desire to be his god and whom Allah has led astray knowingly, set a seal upon his hearing and heart, and put a blindfold on his sight?” (Qur’an 45:23).

This verse illustrates that “when one follows his vain desires and regards his concupiscence as object of worship, they will turn into a cover covering his vision, hearing, and heart. As a consequence, the Words of Truth may not affect him. In this way, he is not worthy of being guided, and thereby he is led astray. [4] ” From the Islamic viewpoint, religious education serves as a preventive shield against such moral disorientation.

By instilling Īmān (faith) and Taqwā (God-consciousness), it equips young Muslims with inner moral controls that transcend external laws or social surveillance. Religious teachings, particularly in Islamic education, emphasized values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility, which contributed to the development of positive behavioral patterns.

Furthermore, religious education facilitated the internalization of moral values, enabling students to distinguish between right and wrong actions based on ethical and religious principles [5] . Islamic scholarship identifies both internal and external causes of youth deviance.