The Integration of Fiqh and Science through Inquiry-Based Learning in the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i6.14999Published:
2026-06-30Downloads
Abstract
This study examines the integration of Fiqh and science through inquiry-based learning within the Merdeka Belajar curriculum at MTsN 1 Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. A qualitative approach was employed using interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis to explore the implementation, benefits, and challenges of inquiry-based learning in Fiqh instruction. The findings reveal that inquiry-based learning is implemented through contextual problem stimulation, data collection from the Qur’an, Hadith, and other Islamic sources, collaborative discussions, presentations, and reflection. This approach transforms Fiqh instruction into a student-centered learning process, encouraging learners to construct knowledge through questioning, investigation, and critical reasoning. Integrating scientific perspectives enables students to connect Islamic legal principles with real-life issues, including health, hygiene, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. As a result, students demonstrate improved critical thinking, conceptual understanding, learning autonomy, and collaboration. However, implementation is constrained by limited instructional time, varying student readiness, insufficient inquiry-based teaching materials, and restricted learning resources. Despite these challenges, inquiry-based learning effectively supports the objectives of the Merdeka Belajar curriculum by promoting independent learning, critical reasoning, and character development. Strengthening instructional design, teacher competence, and learning resources is essential for sustainable implementation in Islamic education
Keywords:
Fiqh Education Inquiry-Based Learning Merdeka Belajar Curriculum Science IntegrationReferences
Amsari, S. (2019). Analisis Efektivitas Pendayagunaan Zakat Produktif pada Pemberdayaan Mustahik (Studi Kasus LAZISMu Pusat). Jurnal Aghniya, 1(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.30596/aghniya.v1i2.3191
Ayuniar, Z., Badarussyamsi, Sumira, & Wahyudi Diprata, A. (2023). Implementasi model pembelajaran inquiry pada mata pelajaran Fikih dalam meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa kelas VIII di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri 7 Kecamatan Tanah Tumbuh Kabupaten Bungo. Jurnal Pendidikan Siber Nusantara, 1(2), 67–77. https://doi.org/10.38035/jpsn.v1i2.74 DOI: https://doi.org/10.38035/jpsn.v1i2.74
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Daga, A. T. (2021). Makna merdeka belajar dan penguatan peran guru di sekolah dasar. Jurnal Education, 7(3), 1075–1090. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v7i3.1279
Darling-Hammond, L., Flook, L., Cook-Harvey, C., Barron, B., & Osher, D. (2020). Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 24(2), 97–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2018.1537791
Development, O. for E. C. and. (2021). OECD digital education outlook 2021: Pushing the frontiers with artificial intelligence, blockchain and robots. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/589b283f-en DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/589b283f-en
Erawati, N. K., & Adnyana, P. B. (2024). Implementation of Jean Peaget’s theory of constructivism in learning: A literature review. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 5(3), 394–401. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v5i3.4148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v5i3.4148
Etikan, I. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Fahyuni, E. F., & Anggraini, R. R. (2025). Science-based inquiry learning with Islamic values to improve critical thinking. Adabiyah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.21070/adabiyah.v6i1.1732
Forsblom, L., Neumann, K., & Sumfleth, E. (2023). The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering student engagement and motivation in science education. Research in Science Education, 53(2), 345–362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-021-10015-6
Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2019). How to design and evaluate research in education (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203181522 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203181522
Hennink, M., Hutter, I., & Bailey, A. (2020). Qualitative research methods. SAGE Publications.
Lazonder, A. W., & Harmsen, R. (2016). Meta-analysis of inquiry-based learning: Effects of guidance. Review of Educational Research, 86(3), 681–718. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315627366 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315627366
Lincoln, Y. S., Lynham, S. A., & Guba, E. G. (2018). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2019). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Minner, D. D., Levy, A. J., & Century, J. (2010). Inquiry-based science instruction: What is it and does it matter? Results from a research synthesis years 1984 to 2002. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47(4), 474–496. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20347 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20347
Morris, D. L. (2025). Rethinking science education practices: Shifting from investigation-centric to comprehensive inquiry-based instruction. Education Sciences, 15(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15010073 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15010073
Nabillah, W., Pasaribu, M., & Fanreza, R. (2025). Development of an inquiry learning model in Islamic Religious Education to improve students’ critical thinking skills at Yayasan Pendidikan Islam Yahdi. Indonesian Journal Education, 4(4), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.56495/ije.v4i4.1356
Natalia, E. F., Sumadji, & Yuwono, T. (2019). Penerapan model pembelajaran inkuiri terbimbing untuk meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis dan prestasi belajar matematika siswa kelas VIII SMP. Seminar Nasional FST 2019 Universitas Kanjuruhan Malang, 2.
Nofiarti, Y., Zen, Z., Bentri, A., & Hakim, R. (2025). Integrating inquiry-based learning into Islamic education worksheets for early grade learners: A developmental study. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 7(1), 252–265. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v7i1.2389 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v7i1.2389
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., de Jong, T., van Riesen, S. A. N., Kamp, E. T., Manoli, C. C., Zacharia, Z. C., & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational Research Review, 14, 47–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.02.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.02.003
Priestley, M., Biesta, G., & Robinson, S. (2015). Teacher agency: An ecological approach. Bloomsbury Academic. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474219426 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474219426
Prince, M. J., & Felder, R. M. (2006). Inductive teaching and learning methods: Definitions, comparisons, and research bases. Journal of Engineering Education, 95(2), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2168-9830.2006.tb00884.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2168-9830.2006.tb00884.x
Ramaila, S. (2024). Systematic review of inquiry-based learning: Assessing impact and best practices in education. F1000Research, 13, 1045. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.155367.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.155367.1
Rasyidi, R., Hafizoh, A., Masrom, M. B., Astuti, D., Narongraksakhet, I., Husti, I., & Nurhaliza, A. (2025). Inquiry-based learning method: Is it effective in improving madrasah teacher social competence in student-centered learning. Journal of Instruction and Islamic Religious Education, 1(1), 29–44. https://doi.org/10.63826/jiire.v1i1.4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63826/jiire.v1i1.4
Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2021). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sahin, A. (2018). Critical issues in Islamic Education Studies: Rethinking Islamic and Western liberal secular values of education. Religions, 9(11), 335. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9110335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9110335
Schunk, D. H. (2020). Learning theories: An educational perspective (8th ed.). Pearson.
Syahapala, M. A., Zein, M. N., & Nurani, N. (2025). Internalisation of constructivism theory in Islamic Religious Education learning. Jurnal Hadratul Madaniyah, 12(2), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.33084/jhm.v12i2.10300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33084/jhm.v12i2.10300
Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Voogt, J., & Pareja Roblin, N. (2012). A comparative analysis of international frameworks for 21st century competences: Implications for national curriculum policies. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 44(3), 299–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2012.668938 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2012.668938
Yulistiawati, D., Komariah, A., Suryana, A., & Aedi, N. (2025). Trends in heutagogy research on Islamic education (2010-2024): A bibliometric study from Scopus. Conciencia, 25(2), 259–270. https://doi.org/10.19109/89qgyk62
Zaironi, M. (2026). Inquiry-based learning as an alternative instructional strategy to enhance students’ learning outcomes: A case study in Indonesian Islamic Education. IEDJ: Islamic Educational Development Journal, 1(1), 36–56.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mahyarni Junida Nasution, Risnawati, Alpizar

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).






