Religious education is a fundamental aspect of shaping an individual’s moral and spiritual foundation. A strong understanding of religion provides guidance in navigating life and overcoming various challenges. For Muslim communities, Islamic education serves as a cornerstone for strengthening faith, ethics, and character. In an era of rapid transformation, delivering religious education that goes beyond theoretical teachings and integrates Islamic values into daily life is crucial. Within the context of non-formal education, curriculum reformulation is essential to ensure that children and youth receive relevant and contemporary Islamic education that aligns with the evolving needs of society.
One of the core subjects in Islamic religious education is fardhu ‘ain, the essential knowledge that every Muslim is required to learn, such as prayer (salah), fasting (sawm), almsgiving (zakat), and virtuous character (akhlaq). Non-formal education provides an effective platform to impart these fundamental teachings to diverse groups of learners. Beyond rituals and acts of worship, Islamic education also encompasses theology (aqidah) and spiritual refinement (tasawwuf/tazkiyatun nafs), which nurture deeper faith and devotion. A well-structured, non-formal curriculum should integrate these elements to ensure that early learners gain a holistic understanding of their responsibilities as Muslims.
In Indonesia, for example, Islamic education has developed in a structured and systematic manner. Many non-formal institutions, such as madrasah diniyah, pesantren, and tahfiz centers, offer diverse teaching methodologies to deliver Islamic education effectively. The country has successfully integrated religious education within its national education framework side by side. However, despite these advancements, curriculum reformulation for non-formal education remains necessary to enhance its responsiveness to contemporary challenges.
One of the challenges differentiating between formal and education was the policy to ensure education obtained by all the citizens, which related to the subsidy from the government. Even so Islam is majority religion in Indonesia, the subsidy scheme make the Islamic curriculum in formal school was less than enough.
This differs from other countries such as Malaysia and Egypt, which emphasize classical curricula in their Islamic institutions through learning circles or tutoring. For instance, Egypt strongly focuses on turath (classical Islamic texts) at higher education levels. Malaysia and Indonesia have adopted modern pedagogical methodologies in religious education to ensure that Islamic values and messages are delivered. Even so, the pondok pesantren concept was massively acknowledged as a good place to learn about Islam.
In reformulating the non-formal Islamic education curriculum, there is a need for a paradigm shift toward a more meaningful and independent learning approach. The focus of religious education must move beyond rote memorization (tahfiz) to deep comprehension (tadabbur). Understanding the meanings and contextual applications of Qur’anic verses and Hadith should be emphasized so that students can relate Islamic teachings to their daily lives. This approach aims to produce a generation that not only memorizes religious texts but also understands and implements them effectively.
Islamic education should be rooted in the primary sources, namely the Qur’an and Hadith. A reformed non-formal curriculum should prioritize these sources to ensure authentic religious understanding while preventing deviations from core teachings. This can be achieved through a curriculum that includes basic Tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis) and Hadith commentary tailored to learners’ comprehension levels. Additionally, students should be trained to refer directly to these sources, fostering independent learning and a deeper appreciation of religious texts.
A growing trend in Islamic education is the popularity of tahfiz al-Qur’an programs, which emphasize the memorization of the Qur’an. In non-formal education, tahfiz programs are highly sought after, as they provide learners with an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the Qur’an. However, it is essential to integrate memorization with a deeper understanding of the verses being learned, which also needs well-qualified teachers. This ensures that students can internalize the teachings of the Qur’an and view them as a practical guide for life rather than mere recitations.
An alternative Qur’anic learning curriculum can include more flexible teaching methods tailored to students’ abilities. Memorization can begin with short surahs before progressing to longer ones. A thematic approach can also be adopted, where students memorize verses related to specific topics, such as ethics, social responsibility, and justice. This method enables students to connect Qur’anic teachings with real-life situations rather than viewing memorization as an isolated task.
For instance, at Madrasah Tahfiz Deeniyat (MTD) Darulfunun in Payakumbuh, the Qur’anic learning process begins with learning to read the Qur’an, followed by memorization. The widely recognized IQRA method is used for reading proficiency, after which students engage in daily Qur’anic recitation routines. For memorization, the Tikrar (repetition) method, inspired by Syaamil Qur’an’s memorization techniques, is employed. This structured approach helps students develop strong retention skills, which serve as a foundation for higher-level religious studies. In addition to Tahfiz, fardhu ‘ain education remains a key component of the curriculum.
Ultimately, the reformulation of non-formal Islamic education curricula is a crucial step in equipping future generations with relevant and applicable religious knowledge. While formal education systems continue to provide a solid foundation, non-formal education serves as a valuable ethical morality supplement that enhances students’ religious competencies. A well-designed religious education curriculum will foster a generation that loves the Qur’an, embodies Islamic values, and develops a deep devotion to their faith.
By shifting toward a more meaning-centered approach, emphasizing primary sources, and adopting flexible memorization techniques, non-formal Islamic education can become more effective and impactful in nurturing students’ spiritual growth.