Methods of Religious Education for Early Childhood from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Perspective and Their Relevance to Generation Alpha

Abstract

This study aims to analyze methods of religious education for early childhood from Imam Al-Ghazali’s perspective and to identify their relevance to the educational needs of Generation Alpha. This study uses a qualitative approach with a library research method. The primary sources include Imam Al-Ghazali’s thoughts in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din and Ayyuha al-Walad. Secondary sources consist of scientific articles, books, and educational reports that discuss Islamic education, early childhood development, Generation Alpha, and digital education. The data were analyzed through data reduction, concept categorization, content analysis, and contextual synthesis. The findings show that religious education for early childhood according to Imam Al-Ghazali focuses on purification of the soul, formation of morality, habituation of worship, and control of self impulses. The methods include exemplary conduct, habituation, advice, storytelling, supervision, play, rewards, gradual correction, and environmental conditioning. These methods remain relevant to Generation Alpha when applied adaptively through digital role modeling, controlled technology habits, multimodal religious stories, parental assistance, direct activities, and adab-based digital literacy. This study concludes that Imam Al-Ghazali’s thought remains relevant because it views education as a process of shaping the inner structure of the child, not merely as the delivery of religious knowledge. Its implementation, however, requires integration with developmental psychology, child protection, play pedagogy, and digital literacy.