The relevance of al-Zarnuji’s concepts of education in Indonesia’s Merdeka curriculum

Islamic education in Indonesia continues to evolve in response to modernization and globalization, particularly with the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum, which emphasizes deep learning and student-centered approaches. One classical work that remains relevant in the context of Islamic education is Ta‘līm al-Muta‘allim by al-Zarnūjī, which outlines the fundamental principles of seeking knowledge. This study aims to analyze the relevance of al-Zarnūjī's educational concepts in Ta‘līm al-Muta‘allim in the context of Islamic education in Indonesia and to develop strategies for implementing these values in the Merdeka Curriculum. The research employs qualitative analysis of al-Zarnūjī’s concepts and a literature review of current Islamic education and the Merdeka Curriculum. The results indicate that al-Zarnūjī’s values—including sincere intentions, diligence, effective learning methods, and the teacher-student relationship—remain highly relevant and can strengthen the modern curriculum. Implementing these values in the Merdeka Curriculum requires strategies, such as integration into project-based learning, teacher training, development of teaching materials, and character building through extracurricular activities. Contribution: The research therefore, emphasize the importance of aligning classical Islamic education with modern curricula to develop well-rounded students grounded in moral values. Unlike previous studies, this research offers a practical framework for implementing al-Zarnūjī’s concepts through project-based learning, teacher training, and character development initiatives. The findings underscore the significance of aligning classical Islamic education with contemporary pedagogical approaches to cultivate well-rounded students with strong moral foundations.