Integration of Ecological Interpretation and Character Education

This research is motivated by the crisis of ecological awareness, reflected in society's neglect of environmental cleanliness, which indicates a gap between ritual piety and ecological piety. This study aims to integrate ecological interpretation (tafsir ekologis) with character education theory through the Qur'anic concept of cleanliness (al-thaharah). This qualitative research employs a library research approach using the thematic interpretation (tafsir maudhu'i) method based on Abdul Hay al-Farmawi's procedure. The primary data consist of Qur'anic verses on cleanliness, supplemented by authoritative exegeses (Tafsir al-Tabari, Tafsir al-Misbah, and Tafsir Tematik LPMQ). In contrast, secondary data include indexed journal articles and books on Islamic environmental ethics and character education. Data were collected through documentation techniques and analyzed in four stages: al-jam'u (verse collection), al-tartib al-nuzuli (chronological arrangement), al-tafsir (thematic interpretation), and al-istinbat (synthesis), with source triangulation ensuring validity. The findings indicate that the Qur'anic concept of cleanliness is multi-dimensional, encompassing physical cleanliness (al-nadhafah al-badaniyyah), spiritual cleanliness (al-nadhafah al-ruhiyyah), and environmental cleanliness (al-nadhafah al-bi'iyyah). These three dimensions yield four core character values: responsibility (mas'uliyyah), honesty and integrity (ikhlas wa al-nazahah), discipline (indibath), and social concern (al-i'tina' al-ijtima'i). The study concludes that integrating ecological interpretation and character education yields an "Ecological Character Education" model, offering a conceptual framework for internalizing environmental awareness as part of forming noble character (akhlak karimah) and an Islamic identity responsible for Earth's preservation.