The Digital Ummah: Islamic Religious Education as Pathway to Moral Integrity in a Connected World
Keywords:
Connected World, Digital Ummah, Digital Literacy, Moral Integrity, Islamic Religious EducationAbstract
This study addresses the paradox of the connected world era, where advances in information technology that should strengthen ukhuwah (brotherhood) have instead triggered a moral integrity crisis among the younger generation of the Digital Ummah. Phenomena such as cyberbullying, online gambling addiction, AI-based academic plagiarism, and disinformation reflect the weakening of religious ethics in digital spaces. The study aims to analyze the factors causing character degradation in the digital globalization era and to formulate the strategic role of Islamic Religious Education (PAI or Pendidikan Agama Islam) in rebuilding students’ moral integrity. Using a literature review method with a descriptive qualitative approach, this research examines academic literature, reputable journals, and data from credible institutions such as KPAI, FSGI, and the World Economic Forum. The findings show that moral degradation is driven by online disinhibition, the hegemony of technological secularism, and the loss of muraqabah values in cyberspace. IRE plays a central role through the integration of a Digital Fiqh curriculum, the cultivation of social media ethics, the exemplary role of teachers as digital uswah hasanah, and collaboration in digital parenting. IRE serves as a vital instrument in shaping students’ digital piety and transcendental awareness amid technological disruption.
References
Abdurrahman. (2024). Metode penelitian kepustakaan. Adabuna: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pemikiran, 3(2), 102–113.
Abror, M. Q., & Noviani, D. (2025). The role of Islamic education in building digital wellbeing and social media ethics among Muslim youth. West Science Islamic Studies, 3(4), 257–269.
Adlini, M. N., Dinda, A. H., Yulinda, S., Chotimah, O., & Merliyana, S. J. (2022). Metode penelitian kualitatif studi pustaka. EDUMASPUL: Jurnal Pendidikan, 6(1), 974–980.
APJII. (2024). 221 juta penduduk Indonesia makin melek sama internet. Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia.
Basit, A., Purwokerto, Z., Malik, A., & Saifuddin, K. H. (2025). The transformation of religious practices of digital society. [Nama Jurnal tidak tercantum], (40), 331–345.
Bunt, G. (2009). iMuslims: Rewiring the house of Islam. University of North Carolina Press.
Dewi, N. N. A. S., Aristawati, N. P. W., Sriani, N. M., Astini, N. P. T., & Mitariani, N. W. E. (2022). Meningkatkan literasi digital bagi generasi Z untuk mewujudkan generasi emas. In Prosiding Webinar Nasional Pekan Ilmiah Pelajar (pp. 1–11).
Habibah, M. N., Izzah, S. N., & Nadlir. (2025). Systematic literature review: Tantangan dan urgensi literasi digital dalam Kurikulum Merdeka bagi guru di madrasah ibtidaiyah. Jurnal Education and Development Institut Pendidikan Tapanuli Selatan, 13(2), 460–467.
Handrianto, B., Subagiya, B., & Thoha, A. M. (2023). Concept and implementation of religious character education for wiser use of technology. TSAQOFAH: Jurnal Peradaban Islam, 19(2), 265–288. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v19i2.8511
Imbo, A., Abdulwahid, K., Astarani, H., Bud, A., & Utoeglis, E. (2025). The effect of social media on Islamic education learners among college students of Mahardika Institute of Technology. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 7(4), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i04.50167
Identity Theft Resource Center. (2025). 2025 predictions and 2024 predictions recap. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ITRC_2025Predictions_Report.pdf
Judijanto, L., Rusdi, M., & Muhtadi, M. A. (2025). Global and local collaboration in Islamic education literacy. West Science Social and Humanities Studies, 3(1), 173–183.
Melawati, L. B. (2024). Exploration of child bullying cases and school based anti bullying interventions and community empowerment in Semarang City. Journal of Gender Equality Disability Social Inclusion and Children, 2(1), 15–31. https://doi.org/10.61511/jgedsic.v2i1.2024.879
PPATK. (2024). Laporan keuangan 2024: PPATK fight against financial crime. Pusat Pelaporan dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan. https://www.ppatk.go.id/backend/assets/images/publikasi/1762504111_.pdf
Rahman, A. (2025). Islamic education in the digital age: Challenges and solution. International Journal of Muslim Education, 6, 207–225.
Soni, N. (2024). Digital footprints of the young: Privacy concerns and awareness among teen social media users. Scienxt International Journal of Cyber Security, 1(1), 1–7.
Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. Cyberpsychology and Behavior, 7(3), 321–326. https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295
Tan, M. J. T., & Maravilla, N. M. A. T. (2024). Shaping integrity: Why generative artificial intelligence does not have to undermine education. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 7, 1785. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1471224
World Economic Forum. (2025). Annual report 2024–2025. World Economic Forum.
Yunita, I., Saidah, A., & Fahmi, M. (2025). The imperative of integrating knowledge and adab in reconstructing Islamic education in the digital era: A study of Al Attas’s thought. J-PAI: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 11(2), 123–136. https://doi.org/10.18860/jpai.v11i2.32660
