This study aims to comprehensively understand students' religious reflection and the internalization of Islamic values within Islamic Religious Education (IRE) learning at Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam (STAI) Muhammadiyah Garut. The phenomenon examined is how students reflect upon their religious beliefs and internalize Islamic values within the context of IRE learning. This research employs a qualitative approach using a phenomenological method to explore students' subjective experiences.
Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 10 IRE students selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The primary findings indicate that religious reflection is a complex process involving critical thinking, spiritual experiences, and the search for meaning and relevance of religion in modern life. The internalization of Islamic values occurs through meaningful learning experiences, interactions with lecturers and peers, and support from a conducive learning environment.
This research contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of religious reflection and the internalization of Islamic values in the context of higher education. The implications suggest the need for higher education institutions to enhance the competence of IRE lecturers, create a conducive learning environment, and encourage active student participation in religious activities. Further research could be conducted to test these findings in different contexts and to develop a more comprehensive IRE learning model.