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 AlGhazali’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.