Reconstructing Islamic Educational Values Based on Gratitude: An Educational Analysis of Surah Al-Kawthar

Abstract

This study aims to reconstruct gratitude-based Islamic educational values through an analysis of Surah Al-Kawthar. This topic is significant because contemporary Islamic education requires the integration of spiritual, moral, and social values to develop learners’ character holistically. The study employed a qualitative library research approach and thematic-educational tafsir analysis, using primary data from the Qur’anic text and classical and contemporary tafsir works, as well as secondary data from Islamic education literature and studies on educational values. Data were analyzed systematically to identify core values, educational patterns, and practical implications of gratitude in Surah Al-Kawthar. The findings reveal that gratitude functions as a core value of Islamic education, integrating spiritual, worship, and social dimensions. The command faṣalli li rabbika emphasizes worship as a meaningful educational medium, while wanḥar highlights sacrifice and social responsibility, with value-based resilience forming the foundation for long-term educational orientation. These findings suggest that gratitude can serve as a conceptual framework for curriculum development, learning strategies, and the formation of resilient character, while bridging normative values and social practice. This study provides theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions, and opens avenues for future research to empirically examine the implementation of gratitude values and explore other Qur’anic values in contemporary Islamic education.