Tarbiyyah through Peer Mentoring
Amid the noise of distractions and conflicting values, the impact from friends has become very powerful, especially at important times like tween and teen years. Social groups—in reality or online—are key factors influencing behavior, mentality, and even beliefs. Good relationships with peers can motivate personal development, empathy, self-assurance but negative influences could also easily lead to destructive habits which weakens the ethical base.
This increased influence of friends typically happens at a time when the direction from parents begins to decrease. Busy timetables, differences in generations and the natural tendency towards independence during teenage years often mean that many young individuals are managing this important stage with little support. Consequently, friends’ effect, social media and outside surroundings can become stronger than family stability presence which makes necessary conscious mentorship based on values more critical now than before.
Education is more than the transfer of knowledge—it is a process that shapes individuals’ moral, spiritual, and social fabric. In Islamic education, this concept is known as Tarbiyyah, a nurturing process that emphasizes character development alongside intellectual growth. Schools being the nucleus have a unique opportunity to implement Tarbiyyah through peer mentoring, a structured method that fosters accountability, compassion, and responsibility among students.
Schools together with communities should use strong peer connections to deliver essential guidance which will enable young people to demonstrate character while showing compassion and maintaining integrity.
The Islamic Foundation of Tarbiyyah
Islam places great emphasis on character development as a fundamental part of faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The believers with the most complete faith are those who are the best of character” (Tirmidhi). This teaching underscores that personal integrity, kindness, and accountability are not only moral virtues but also acts of worship.
Tarbiyyah goes beyond conventional education by incorporating Ta’leem (teaching) and Tazkiyah (purification) to nurture spiritual and moral growth. This comprehensive approach ensures that students do not simply acquire knowledge but also learn how to apply ethical principles in their daily lives.
To support the implementation of a Tarbiyyah-based peer mentoring program, a structured framework has been developed. It outlines clear objectives, practical steps, and measurable outcomes, ensuring alignment with Islamic principles. This framework emphasizes collaborative involvement from students, teachers, and parents. Schools can successfully promote character development together with leadership training in children using this framework.
Peer mentoring offers a transformative approach to achieving the objectives of Tarbiyyah, seamlessly blending character development with practical application. The establishment of a collaborative learning environment enables older students to serve as mentors for their younger peers through which they display good conduct. Through this method natural peer dynamics act to build relationships of accountability that support collective student development.
Students who are younger often see their older peers as influential guides, making the mentors good examples to follow. By watching them, younger students learn important traits like honesty, patience and respect. Also, through this mentor-mentee connection a feeling of responsibility gets built in the mentors which pushes them to live by the values they wish to teach. This shared interaction strengthens a responsibility culture, leading to mutual growth. Unlike abstract teachings, mentoring between equals gives real situations to practice Islamic values. Sharing experiences, solution seeking and meaningful chats help students understand and apply qualities such as empathy and humility.
Mentoring Program Framework
The Tarbiyyah peer mentoring framework emphasizes:
- Celebrating success
- Continuous improvement
- Monitoring and feedback
- Parental involvement
- Purpose and goals
- Program structure
- Mentor training
- Curriculum integration
Unveiling the Transformative Power of Peer Mentoring
Integrating Tarbiyyah into an educational framework can be effectively achieved through peer mentoring, with an innovative approach—the Tarbiyyah Circles—weekly sessions where mentors and mentees gather to focus on specific values such as honesty, humility, and kindness. These mentor-led discussions are rooted in the Islamic principle of Husn al-khuluq (good character), drawing inspiration from the Qur’an and Hadith to ensure relatable and actionable values.
Older students can be trained as mentors in leadership, communication, and Islamic ethics, fostering responsible role models through engaging activities like discussions and collaborative projects. Parental involvement, open communication, and feedback mechanisms help bridge school and home values, ensuring the program remains sustainable and transformative.
While challenges such as time constraints and maintaining consistency may arise, they can be managed with thoughtful planning and proactive communication. The implementation of Tarbiyyah-centered peer mentoring supports schools in developing students who will lead the society with integrity while making beneficial contributions.
I witnessed a remarkable example of how a Tarbiyyah initiative can transform a school community at a school in London. The Tarbiyyah program seamlessly integrated Islamic values of compassion, integrity, and good character into every aspect of school life. Teachers wove these principles into their lessons, while older students acted as mentors, guiding younger peers with patience and empathy. As part of the program, the school introduced weekly sessions where mentors and mentees gathered to discuss values, share experiences, and practice self-reflection. Parents, too, played their part, reinforcing these values at home through discussions and workshops.
One teacher shared a moving story of a shy student who, under the guidance of a mentor, blossomed into a confident, compassionate individual who then inspired others. It was a powerful testament to how Tarbiyyah, when embraced as a collective effort, fosters a legacy of character and unity within a community.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exemplified the finest character, as he said, “The best of you are those who have the best manners and character” (Sahih Bukhari). His life was a living testament to traits like patience, humility, empathy, and honesty, which remain the gold standard for how we should strive to conduct ourselves. In Islam, Husn al-khuluq refers to forsaking traits that are reprehensible, such as dishonesty and anger, and striving toward desirable qualities.
Through peer mentoring, older students model and encourage these positive traits, helping younger students internalize them. The mentoring process allows students to learn in a trusted relationship, as well as through real-life scenarios, in ways that classroom lessons may not always reach.
The Tarbiyyah initiative through peer mentoring serves as a beacon of hope. It reminds them that education is not solely about intellectual growth but the development of a compassionate heart, strong moral character, and a resilient spirit. Guided by Islamic principles, this approach aligns with both the educational goals and the divine principles outlined in Islam, offering a meaningful pathway to shape the young hearts of today into the responsible leaders of tomorrow.
About the Writer
Juwelira Tehsin is an experienced educationist based in London, UK, specializing in curriculum development and instructional leadership. She is the Academic Lead at Trellis, Mimber Academy, designing learning plans and mentoring educators.
