From Preservation to Activation: The Value-Based Role of Islamic Manuscripts in Contemporary Education

Abstract

Islamic manuscripts represent a fundamental component of the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Muslim world. However, contemporary efforts in this field have largely focused on preservation and digitization, with limited attention given to activating their educational and value-based dimensions within modern educational systems. This study seeks to shift Islamic manuscripts from being preserved historical artifacts to active educational resources by re-examining their value-based content in light of contemporary educational needs. The study adopts a qualitative analytical approach based on conceptual and documentary analysis of selected Islamic manuscripts with educational relevance, alongside a review of contemporary literature on value-based education. It aims to develop an analytical perspective that reconceptualizes Islamic manuscripts as a value-based educational framework capable of contributing to identity formation and ethical development in educational institutions. The findings indicate that Islamic manuscripts embody rich educational and ethical values that extend beyond their historical context and remain relevant to contemporary education when appropriately recontextualized. The study also identifies key institutional and pedagogical challenges that limit the effective integration of manuscript-based values into modern education and proposes practical pathways to move from preservation toward meaningful educational activation.