The Role of Sufi Ethical Pedagogy in Countering Violent Extremism among Pakistani Youth

Abstract

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This article examines the potential of Sufi ethical pedagogy—known as tarbiyah al-akhlaq (the cultivation of moral character)—as a culturally grounded, spiritually resonant strategy for countering violent extremism among Pakistani youth. In a context where radical ideologies exploit religious illiteracy, socio-economic marginalization, and identity crises, Sufi traditions offer an alternative framework rooted in compassion (raḥmah), inner purification (tazkiyat al-nafs), and service to humanity (khidmat-e-khalq). Drawing on fieldwork in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and analysis of curricula from Sufi-affiliated educational institutions, this study demonstrates how tarbiyah-based programs foster resilience against extremist narratives by nurturing ethical subjectivity, emotional intelligence, and communal belonging. The article argues that Sufi pedagogy does not merely “counter” extremism through opposition but preempts it through holistic moral formation. It aligns with Pakistan’s National Action Plan (NAP) and National Counter-Extremism Policy while affirming indigenous Islamic resources for peace building.