Abstract
This study explores the important role of Muhammadiyah Sufism in building character, optimising the purification of students' beliefs, and exploring the positive impact of the Islamic spirituality approach implemented by Muhammadiyah. The research method used involves qualitative data collection with a phenomenological approach involving semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation with Muhammadiyah educational actors who have implemented the Sufi approach, namely the principal, teachers, and several students of Muhammadiyah Elementary School, Lahat. The data analysis technique uses the Miles and Huberman method, which focuses on the stages of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion, for data validity techniques using triangulation. The research findings show that Muhammadiyah Sufism can strengthen the beliefs of Muhammadiyah Elementary School Lahat students, increase a deep understanding of Islamic teachings, and form positive characters in living their daily lives. This can be done through spiritual practices such as reading the Qur'an, sunnah prayers, dhikr, and sunnah fasting. This study also found that the implementation of Sufism in Muhammadiyah education helps students recognise and avoid practices inconsistent with pure Islamic teachings, such as excessive tawassul (circumambulation) and extreme meditation. Thus, Muhammadiyah Sufism education serves as a tool to purify faith and shape individuals with noble character and positive societal contributions. This study emphasises the importance of integrating Sufi values into the educational curriculum to create a generation that is intelligent, ethical, and capable of facing the challenges of the modern era. A limitation of this study is its limited focus on Muhammadiyah Elementary School in Lahat, which may reduce the generalizability of the findings regarding the implementation of Sufism in the broader context of Muhammadiyah education.
References
Aderibigbe, S. A., Idriz, M., Alzouebi, K., AlOthman, H., Hamdi, W. B., & Companioni, A. A. (2023). Fostering Tolerance and Respect for Diversity through the Fundamentals of Islamic Education. Religions, 14(2), 212. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14020212
Afiani, V. Z., & Haririe, M. R. (2024). Sufism and Mental Health. JOUSIP: Journal of Sufism and Psychotherapy, 4(1), 103–118. https://doi.org/10.28918/jousip.v4i1.8716
Agung, R. M., Wulandari, N. D., Anjani, R., & Tanjung, H. R. S. (2025). Transformation of Muhammadiyah’s Da’wah in the Digital Era: Progressive-Digital Da’wah Model as an Innovation of the Progressive Islamic Movement. Bulletin of Indonesian Islamic Studies, 4(1), 192–209. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51214/biis.v4i1.1469
Ahdi, M. W., Wahyudi, W., & Islam, A. B. A.-S. (2024). Practice of Fasting and Dhikr in Developing Emotional Spiritual Quotient (ESQ). DINAMIKA : Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Dan Keislaman, 9(2), 14–23. https://doi.org/10.32764/dinamika.v9i2.4828
Akmansyah, M. (2017). Membangun Toleransi Dalam Perspektif Pendidikan Spiritual Sufistik. KALAM, 10(2), 517. https://doi.org/10.24042/klm.v10i2.12
Ali, M. (2019). Sufisme dalam Pandangan Muslim Modernis Awal: Telaah Pemikiran Tasawuf Kiai Moechtar Boechari (1899-1926). Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan, 17(1), 217–240. https://doi.org/10.31291/jlk.v17i1.606
Andra, A., Mahariah, M., & Syukri, M. (2025). Peran Pengajian Bulanan dalam Membentuk Sikap Beragama Siswa di SMAS Budi Agung Medan. Jurnal Budi Pekerti Agama Islam, 3(2), 158–175. https://doi.org/10.61132/jbpai.v3i2.1044
Anggito, A., & Setiawan, J. (2018). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif. CV Jejak (Jejak Publisher).
Ariadi, P., Rulitawati, R., Nawi, M. Z., & Asvio, N. (2021). Sufism in the Eyes of Muslim Elites in South Sumatra, Indonesia: A Comparison Between Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. KALAM, 15(2), 173–198. https://doi.org/10.24042/klm.v15i2.10457
Aziz, A. (2024). Perspektif Muhammadiyah terhadap Kebudayaan di Indonesia. IHSANIKA: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 2(3), 26–38. https://doi.org/10.59841/ihsanika.v2i3.1359
Bachtiar, H., Nurhakim, M., & Rohim, F. (2025). Purification, Spiritualism, and Reform: Muhammadiyah’s Reception of Neo-Sufism. Teosofi: Jurnal Tasawuf Dan Pemikiran Islam, 15(1), 84–112. https://doi.org/10.15642/teosofi.2025.15.1.84-112
Burhanudin, U., Basuni, A., & Putra, A. P. (2022). Upaya Peningkatan Karakter Disiplin Dan Tanggung Jawab Siswa Melalui Kegiatan Pengajian Rutin di SMK NU Pelita Nusantara. Tarbiya Islamica, 10(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.37567/ti.v10i2.1618
Creswell, J. W. (2019). Research Design: Pendekatan Metode Kualitatif, Kuantitatif, dan Campuran (IV). Pustaka Pelajar.
Faizah, K. (2018). Kearifan Lokal Tahlilan-Yasinan Dalam Dua Perspektif menurut Muhammadiyah. Aqlam: Journal of Islam and Plurality, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.30984/ajip.v3i2.722
Farhan, I., & Arafat, A. T. (2021). Tasawuf, Irfani, dan Dialektika Pengetahuan Islam. TASAMUH: Jurnal Studi Islam, 13(2), 217–248. https://doi.org/10.47945/tasamuh.v13i2.420
Hamami, T., & Nuryana, Z. (2022). A holistic–integrative approach of the Muhammadiyah education system in Indonesia. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 78(4). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i4.7607
Hamim, A. H. (2023). PENGEMBANGAN POTENSI MANUSIA DALAM PERSPEKTIF PENDIDIKAN ISLAM. HAWARI : Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan Islam, 2(1), 1–91. https://doi.org/10.35706/hw.v2i1.5288
Hamzah, N. A. A., Ali, N. H., Noor, E. E. M., Aziz, A. A., & Rahman, N. Z. A. (2023). A review on the impact on human emotion while listening to and reciting the Quran. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 14(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJWOE.2023.130245
Humaidi, N., Darmayanti, R., & Sugianto, R. (2022). Challenges of Muhammadiyah’s Contribution in Handling Covid-19 in The MCCC Program in Indonesia. Khazanah Sosial, 4(1), 176–186. https://doi.org/10.15575/ks.v4i1.17201
Ikhwan, A., Zukhrufin, F. K., & Rohmad, A. (2025). The Role of the Qur’an Hadith Teacher in Improving Students’ Emotional Intelligence. Applied Social Psychology Studies (ASPS), 1(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.35723/asps.v1i1.3
Irhas, I., Aziz, A. A., & Satriawan, L. A. (2023). The Power of Dhikr: Elevating Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual Quotients. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 7(2), 601. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v7i2.434
Lubis, A. S., Magello, A. N., & Thamrin, M. H. (2024). Exploring the Role of Sunnah Fasting in Shaping Muslim Behaviour and Spirituality: Perceptions, Beliefs and Social Dynamics. Pharos Journal of Theology, 105(5). https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.105.525
Masrur, I. (2019). Konsep Tasawuf Substantif Dalam Muhammadiyah. Spiritualita, 3(1), 75–103. https://doi.org/10.30762/spr.v3i1.1515
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook Third Edition. USA: Sage Publications.
Mubarok, F. (2022). Konsep Neo Sufisme dalam Pengembangan Moderasi Beragama di Indonesia. Iktisyaf: Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah Dan Tasawuf, 4(1), 01–20. https://doi.org/10.53401/iktsf.v4i1.73
Muttaqin, A., Hamsah, U., & Abror, R. H. (2023). Muhammadiyah, Sufism, and the quest for ‘authentic’ Islamic spirituality. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 13(1), 199–226. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v13i1.199-226
Nufus, D. H., Sururin, S., & Sodiq, A. (2023). Tafakkur: A Contemplation of Students’ Spiritual and Emotional Intelligence (in The Perspective of Sufism & Transpersonal Psychology). DAYAH: Journal of Islamic Education, 6(2), 264. https://doi.org/10.22373/jie.v6i2.18957
Nugroho, W. (2021). Sufism and Interreligious Dialogue: The Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order in Indonesia. Teosofia: Indonesian Journal of Islamic Mysticism, 10(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.21580/tos.v10i1.8459
Puji, F., Dewi, A., Ni, H., & Kumalasari, E. (2025). Exploring Knowledge from the Qur’an : The Concept of Multidisciplinary Education in Islamic Culture. JISEI: Journal of Islamic Studies and Educational Innovation, 1(1). https://jurnalpasca.staiibnurusyd.ac.id/index.php/jisei/article/view/11
Ridwan, R., Sutoyo, A., & Mansur, A. (2020). The Meeting Point of Neo-Sufism and School Counselors Competencies. Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 5(4), 142–153. https://doi.org/10.17977/um001v5i42020p142
Rodiyah, N., Mispani, M., & Amirudin, A. (2024). The Habit of Dhuha Prayer in Forming Children Character. International Journal on Advanced Science, Education, and Religion, 7(1), 103–115. https://doi.org/10.33648/ijoaser.v7i1.523
Rosada, R., & Wawansyah, W. (2018). Tradisi Ziarah Kubur Masyarakat Sasak (Studi Kasus Makam Loang Baloq). Historis | FKIP UMMat, 2(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.31764/historis.v2i1.198
Sarwan, S., & Sabri, M. (2023). Distingsi Hadis Bid ’ ah Perspektif Muhammadiyah dan Wahabi. El-Afkar: Jurnal Pemikiran Keisilaman Dan Tafsir Hadits, 12(1), 52–67. https://doi.org/10.29300/jpkth.v12i1.3023
Sholihah, N., Kusaeri, Kholis, N., Muntafi’ah, U., & Huriyah, L. (2024). Istighātha Dhikr Practices Toward Human Well-Being: An Implication for Islamic Education. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(3), 338–352. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i3.1402
Siregar, A., Budianti, Y., & Rifai, M. (2022). Internalisation of Spiritual Values in Forming Student Character Through Tahfidzul Qur'an Extracurricular Activities. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 5(3), 1278–1289. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v5i3.2618
Sumargo, B. (2020). Teknik sampling. Unj press.
Syatori, A. (2020). Karakteristik Manusia dalam Pandangan Tasawuf. PUTIH: Jurnal Pengetahuan Tentang Ilmu Dan Hikmah, 5(1), 116–134. https://doi.org/10.51498/putih.v5i1.64
Umar, M., Ismail, F., Rahmi, S., & Arifin, Z. (2024). Transforming of Moderate Character Education in Islamic Educational Institutions. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(1), 171–188. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i1.4168
Wijaya, H. (2020). Analisis data kualitatif teori konsep dalam penelitian pendidikan. Sekolah Tinggi Theologia Jaffray.
Zahro, Y. S. (2025). The Impact of Dhuha Prayer on Students’ Emotional Intelligence: A Management Perspective in School Settings. Journal of Educational Management Research, 4(3), 736–753. https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v4i3.850
Zubair, Z., Farkhan, M., Darojat, Z., Suriadi, M. A., Mansoer, M., & Fattah, A. (2023). Muhammadiyah’s Tajdīd and Sufism between Purification and Modernization. Insaniyat: Journal of Islam and Humanities, 7(2), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.15408/insaniyat.v7i2.31505
Zulfikar, E., & Hendro, B. (2023). Pemahaman Hadis Tawassul: Analisis Pro-Kontra Tawassul dengan Dzat Seseorang. Jurnal Studi Hadis Nusantara, 5(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.24235/jshn.v5i1.15034
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.