Tawheed in practice: exploring childhood spiritual development through Surah Luqman and Tafsir Ibn Kathir

This study examines how Tawheed (the oneness of God) functions as a pedagogical and developmental foundation for nurturing childhood spirituality. Drawing on Surah Luqman (31:13–15) and Tafsir Ibn Kathir, the study explores how Tawheed shapes children’s moral responsibility, emotional connection with divine presence, and spiritual identity. Through qualitative thematic analysis informed by Islamic metaphysics and child development theory, it investigates parental roles in transmitting divine values through dialogue, ethical modelling, and daily spiritual practices. The findings suggest that Tawheed provides a holistic educational framework integrating divine accountability (Haqqullah) and social ethics (Haqqunnas), harmonizing intellect and emotion, and fostering a coherent moral identity. By connecting Qur’anic pedagogy, classical tafsir, and contemporary developmental perspectives, this study proposes a Tawheedic model of spiritual education grounded in Islamic epistemology and responsive to contemporary educational challenges.