Bridging Islamic Character Education Based on Love and Ecology Among Students of Islamic Religious Education at Universitas Islam As'adiyah Sengkang, Indonesia

Abstract

This article explores the integration of love-based Islamic character education and ecological awareness among students of the Islamic Religious Education (Pendidikan Agama Islam) programme at Universitas Islam As'adiyah Sengkang, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Drawing on Islamic pedagogical principles, eco-theological frameworks, and empirical classroom observations, the study argues that the concept of rahmah (compassion) and khalifah (stewardship) provides a robust Islamic foundation for cultivating ecological consciousness as a dimension of moral character. The research demonstrates that love-based character education — grounded in the values of mercy, responsibility, and reverence for creation — can meaningfully bridge spiritual formation and environmental literacy when embedded in the PAI curriculum. Students who engage with eco-Islamic values show heightened environmental responsibility and deeper spiritual motivation for ecological action. The findings contribute to the growing discourse on Islamic environmental ethics and offer a contextually grounded model for character education reform in Indonesian Islamic higher education.