Spiritual Leadership Model in Moral Development and Character of Students Through Islam Education Managementat MI Al-Azhar Jember
Keywords:
Spiritual Leadership, Islamic Education Management, Character Education
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the role of spiritual leadership in strengthening Islamic educational management at MI Swasta Al-Azhar Jember, particularly in integrating moral, spiritual, and organizational values that contribute to improving institutional performance, teacher motivation, and students’ character development. The research employs a qualitative approach with a case study design to gain an in-depth understanding of the practice of spiritual leadership within the madrasah. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving the principal, teachers, and students, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the principal’s spiritual leadership contributes to building an organizational culture grounded in Islamic values, enhancing teachers’ commitment and motivation, and strengthening transparency and fairness in decision-making. In addition, the leader’s moral exemplarity and the habituation of religious values support the holistic development of students’ character. These findings highlight that spiritual leadership serves as an important approach in Islamic educational management oriented toward character development and a religious school culture
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Arjiman. (2025). Spiritual Leadership and Its Implications for the Quality of Education and Character Development in Islamic Educational Institutions. Nusantara Journal Of Islamic Studies, 06(01), 2745–9608.
Atanaya, D. S., Abrar, M., & Kuswadi, A. (2025). The Concept of Leadership in an Islamic Perspective: A Literature Study. Journal of Law, Public Policy, and Government, 2(3), 237–246.
Creswell, J. W. (2016). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches. Student Library.
Fahmy, O. M. (2025). The Role of Spiritual Leadership in Employee Performance: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Applied Management and Finance, 14(01), 313–334.
Fry, L., & Kriger, M. (2009). Towards a theory of being-centered leadership : Multiple levels of being as context for effective leadership. Journal Human Relations, 62(11), 1667–1696. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709346380
Hidayat, F. N. (2023). The Role of School Principals in the Quality of Education. Journal of Educational Sciences, 6(1), 1–15.
Ibrahim, A., Rami, A. A. M., Isa, M. F. M., & Olaitan, A. A. (2025). Spiritual leadership among youth: Fostering sustainable development towards Islamic values. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(10), 2025327.
Iswadi, M. P., Karnati, N., Ahmad Andry, B., & Adab, P. (2023). Case Study of Robert K. Yin's Design and Methods. Publisher Adab.
Karim, A., Fathurohman, O., Marliani, L., Kurniawan, F. F., Nugraha, F., Meliani, F., Ridwan, M., & Sianturi, R. (2025). Islamic spiritual leadership of kyai in fostering santris’ entrepreneurial spirit and independence in boarding school. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 101817.
Li, J., Jiang, N., Li, S., Peng, X., Li, M., Zhang, W., Kong, L.-K., & Ju, S.-Y. (2025). Spiritual leadership and teacher well-being in primary and secondary schools: the mediating role of teachers’ trust in leaders and organizational justice. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 766.
Mahmud, M. E., & Ramli, A. (2025). Islamic Spiritual Leadership Model to Enhance Madrasah Quality Culture and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(3), 628–643.
Mariah. (2025). Spiritual Leadership in Building Teachers' Intrinsic Morals and Motivation in Islamic Schools. Scientific Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 9(12), 985–989.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Moleong, L. J. (2018). Qualitative Research Methodology. Teenager Rosdakarya.
Mumtahanah, Z. (2025). Integration of Islamic Moral Values in Islamic Education Management Practices in Madrasahs. Journal of Education and Service, 3(2).
Nadilla Aleyda Maqhfira Agustin, M. A. K. (2025). The Role of Islamic Education Management in the Development of Educational Institutions at MAN 4 Bantul Yogyakarta. Journal of Aerospace Education, 2(2), 159–169. https://doi.org/10.14421/hjie.2022.21-02
Nasarudin, N., Mahaly, S., Munjiah, M., Akbar, W. K., Abdurrahman, A., Wijaya, W., Mappanyompa, M., Arianto, T., & Arman, Z. (2024). Case Studies and Multi Sites in a Qualitative Approach. CV. Gita Lantera.
Nasir, M., Mahmudinata, A. A., Ulya, M., & Firdaus, F. A. (2023). School empowerment strategy as an effort to improve education management. Journal of International Multidisciplinary Research, 1(2).
Nurwahyuni, S., & Triwiyanto, T. (2025). Principals' Leadership Strategies in Digitalizing Learning: A Systematic Study. Journal of Education Management Media, 8(2).
Pedro A. P. Babys, O. Y. P. (2025). The Problem of Digital Technology-Based Education in the Post-Truth Era and the Urgency of Moral Education. Journal of Philosophy and Theology, 6(2), 325–346.
Scott, Y. F. C. P. M. (2025). Reconstruction of educational leadership theory: building a holistic framework for 21st century schools. Journal of Human Resources, 5(1), 28–40.
Rafsanjani, H. (2017). Spiritual Leadership. Journal of Islamic Economics and Banking, 2(1).
Rahmayanti, N. S., Ramadhani, N., Azis, A., Islam, P. A., & Karawang, U. S. (2025). The Challenges of Islamic Education in the Era of Globalization in Maintaining Islamic Values. Qolamuna Journal, 2(1), 105–116.
Sabrifha, E. (2026). Qur'an-Based Islamic Education Management: Between Figures' Thoughts and Research. Journal of Economics, Education and Engineering, 03(1), 49–58.
Satria Adindi, Zainal Arifin, S. (2024). Spiritual Leadership of Teacher at Islamic Boarding School Darul Kamal An-Nur NW Kembang Kerang: In the Study of Islamic Education Management. Journal of Educational Management (JMP), 15(2), 153–164.
Suhendi, S., Khoiruddin, H., Ihsan, M. N., Nasir, T. M., & Sain, Z. H. (2025). Hasyim Asy’ari’s Dimensions of Multicultural Spiritual Leadership: Harmony in Education and Society in Indonesia. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(1), 1–27.
Walid, M. (2018). Values and Beliefs, Creativity, and Leadership of Madrasah Heads in Managing Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri Malang 1 Malang City. Journal of MI Teacher Education, 5, 107–132.
Yahya, M., & Martha, A. (2025). Professional teachers with challenges of duties, functions, and roles in improving educational competence. Journal of Edumatics, 1(2), 60–70.
Yunus, M. (2025). Mining Permits for Religion Organizations in Indonesia : Public Interest vs Islamic Ethics. Journal Of Legal Community Engagement, 8313(8), 617–646.
Published
2026-04-10
