Revitalizing The Concept of Adab from Al-Ghazali’s Perspective in The Kitab Al-Adab Fi Al-Din to Overcome The Moral Crisis of Generation Z in The Education Digital Era

Abstract

This study aims to reconstruct and revitalize Al-Ghazali’s concept of adab (ethical conduct) as a response to the moral crisis facing Generation Z in the digital era. Rapid advancements in technology and social media have given rise to various ethical challenges, such as declining digital communication ethics, increasing narcissistic behavior, and weakened self-control regarding media usage. Employing a qualitative approach via a literature review, this study examines Kitab al-Adab fi al-Din as the primary source, supported by scholarly literature on digital education and the characteristics of Generation Z. The findings reveal a gap between classical *adab* values ​​and the actual behavior of young people in digital spaces, largely attributed to the suboptimal integration of character education within the educational system, particularly in the digital age. To address this issue, the study proposes revitalizing the concept of adab by translating its values ​​into social media ethics, digital self-control, and online moral awareness. Furthermore, it develops an adab-based character education conceptual model that encompasses curriculum integration, the cultivation of ethical digital habits, teacher role-modeling, and the strengthening of self-reflection. Ultimately, the study offers an adab-based educational framework that emphasizes not only digital literacy but also the reinforcement of moral and spiritual awareness in contemporary digital life.