<b>Social Intelligence in Islamic Educational Psychology: Cultivating Communication Skills and Self-Efficacy Through an Islamic Perspective </b>

Abstract

Social intelligence is a foundational capacity that enables individuals to navigate interpersonal relationships, yet its development is frequently hindered by introversion, poor self-confidence, and limited social exposure. This study investigates how social intelligence, when understood and applied within the framework of Islamic educational psychology, can serve as a vehicle for enhancing two critical competencies: social communication skills and self-efficacy. Employing a library research methodology, data were systematically gathered and analyzed through thematic coding and content synthesis from a range of academic books, peer-reviewed journals, and prior empirical studies. The analysis reveals four core dimensions of social intelligence—social sensitivity, social insight, social communication, and self-efficacy—with the latter two constituting the focal constructs of this inquiry. Findings indicate that social communication skills emerge through consistent habituation of verbal and nonverbal interaction, attentive listening, and written expression, while self-efficacy is reinforced through positive social feedback that enhances individuals' confidence in problem-solving and decision-making. Theologically, the study grounds these constructs in Islamic principles of hablum minannas (righteous relations among humans) and the Qur'anic directive toward communal responsibility, as exemplified in Surah At-Taubah (9:71). The study concludes that optimizing social intelligence through Islamic educational approaches yields holistic benefits for individuals across personal, social, and communal dimensions, and recommends the integration of cooperative, reflective, and habituation-based strategies in Islamic education settings.