Characteristics of Gifted and Talented Students: A Synthesis of Al-Ghazali’s and Ibn Khaldun’s Thought

Abstract

The development of modern education demands a holistic approach to understanding and nurturing the potential of gifted and talented students. This study synthesizes the intellectual perspectives of two prominent Islamic scholars, Imam al-Ghazali and Ibn Khaldun, to formulate the characteristics of gifted and talented learners from an Islamic epistemological standpoint. Al-Ghazali emphasizes the integration of knowledge, ethics, and spirituality, whereas Ibn Khaldun focuses on intellect, social experience, and structured stages of education. Through this synthesis approach, the study identifies six key characteristics of gifted learners according to Islamic thought: intellectual and spiritual intelligence, sincerity of intention, noble character, the ability to comprehend social and historical issues, critical and creative thinking, and progressive lifelong learning. The synthesis culminates in a conceptual framework comprising three dimensions spiritual (ruhaniyyah), intellectual (‘aqliyyah), and socio-ethical (akhlaqiyyah) which not only complements Western cognitive-based models but also provides valuable guidance for developing Islamic value-oriented gifted education systems in Malaysia and the broader Muslim world.