According to Tafsir Ibn Katsir, the meaning of the Caliph in this verse is a people who replace each other, century after century, generation after generation. This is also emphasized in this tafsir and also provides affirmation through several verses consisting of QS Al-An'am: 165, QS An-Naml: 62, QS Az-Zukhruf: 60, and QS Maryam: 59. This commentary also explains that the term "caliph" in the context of the creation of the Prophet Adam (AS) does not only refer to the Prophet Adam AS, as some mufasir believe. According to Al-Qurtubi, this view is supported by Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn Mas'ud, and most commentators. There are various opinions on this, as mentioned by Fakhruddin Ar-Razi and other scholars in their commentaries. When angels ask why God created a caliph that they thought would cause destruction and shed blood on the earth, they may base this understanding on knowledge of human nature or information from previous creatures. The Caliph can also be understood as a person in charge of settling disputes and preventing sin among people [21] .

According to Tafsir Al-Baghawy, the term "successor on earth" refers to creatures who will represent Allah in carrying out His decrees on earth. The caliph in question was the Prophet Adam, who was so-called because he replaced the jinn who had previously inhabited the earth. In addition, the term caliph is also used because later there will be a generation of people after Adam who will replace him to carry out the commandments of Allah [22] .

According to Tafsir Ath-Thabari explained that the term "caliph" means someone who replaces the previous party in carrying out a task or responsibility. This term is used to describe a person who takes over the affairs of his predecessor, as in the word of Allah: "Then We made you successors on earth after them" (QS. Jonah: 14), which indicates that the next generation replaced the previous generation. Therefore, a leader is called a caliph because he continues the affairs that the previous leader had left behind [23] .

According to the Tafsir of Al-Qurthubi, meaning the caliph in Allah has established you as the leader of the earth," which means, Allah gives you the responsibility to uphold good and prevent evil, as well as to replace the previous prophets and leaders of the pious [24] .

Tafsir Ath-Thabari, explains the meaning of "Caliph" in his commentary, which is that Allah spoke to the Prophet David and said, "O David, We have made you ruler on earth." That is, God gave David the task of leading after the previous prophets and being a righteous judge of his people. God also directed David to make righteous and righteous decisions, and not to allow his desires to interfere with justice. If David followed lust from the truth, he would deviate from God's way, which could ultimately lead to error and destruction [23] .

According to Tafsir Ibn Jauziy, what is meant by "Caliph on earth" is that Allah gave David the task of leading after the previous prophets and being a just judge for his people. Meanwhile, according to Tafsir Al-Mawardi, there are two meanings of the word "caliph" in this verse. First, caliph means the successor of Allah, which means that this position is related to prophethood. Second, caliph means the successor of the previous people, which refers more to the position of leader or king who replaced the previous generation [25] .

With the advancement of the times, character education has become increasingly important because the challenges of globalization and technological advances can affect students' social behavior. Therefore, character development must be considered and systematically integrated into the school curriculum [26] . Character education is a process that aims to instill positive values, such as honesty, discipline, tolerance, and responsibility in students. According to [27] , character education at the elementary school level must use normative, procedural, and contextual approaches to achieve maximum results. Local religious and cultural values are often the main reference in shaping students' character.

Student character encompasses a variety of psychiatric, moral, and ethical traits that distinguish each individual. In the world of education, character refers to the moral values that are instilled in students and reflected in their daily actions [28] . The relationship between character education and student behavior is also seen from research conducted which shows that students who receive character education tend to have positive behaviors, such as respecting others, being polite, and caring for the environment. This is because character education not only teaches theory but also encourages real practice in daily life [29] .

The goal of character development is to shape students into responsible, empathetic, and capable individuals who can make a positive contribution to society. In addition, character development also aims to reduce negative behaviors, such as bullying and dishonesty [30] . The development of student character is an essential part of the modern education system that aims to form qualified and competitive individuals. One of the goals is to instill a spirit of leadership and responsibility, as expressed by experts where this aims to develop leadership potential and a sense of responsibility in students [31] . In addition, character education aims to create individuals who are independent, creative, and have national insights, as emphasized by [32] . A safe, honest, and creative learning environment is also an important aspect, which according to Kesuma, Triatna, and Permana [29] , should support the physical, emotional, and spiritual development of students. Character education also focuses on strengthening the values of diversity and harmony in the relationship between family and society, to form human beings who have moral values and national character, as expressed by [33] .

Various strategies are used to achieve this goal, such as project-based learning that teaches values through activities, parental involvement in the educational process, as well as holistic educational approaches that integrate character values into every aspect of the curriculum. Teacher training is also an important factor because teachers must be able to be role models and teach character to students. Extracurricular activities also play a role in character development, such as through social organizations or volunteer activities [34], [35] . Schools, as the primary environment of students, have a huge role to play in supporting character education through fair policies and a positive school culture [36] . Integrated learning is an effective method in character development, where [37] explains that this method combines various disciplines to provide a more meaningful learning experience. This approach allows students not only to learn academic knowledge but also moral and social values that are important to their character development.

Implication is the direct impact that arises from something, such as a discovery or research result. This word has a broad meaning so its use can be diverse. In general, implications can be interpreted as the consequences that arise from an event. Implications also refer to the results drawn from a study with clear and unequivocal conclusions [38] . Based on the concepts in both verses found through several interpretations, the meaning of the caliph here is more defined as regeneration (in the context of leadership) and the Leader who regulates justice.

First, leadership regeneration is the process of transitioning the leadership position from the older generation to the younger generation to maintain the continuity and relevance of the organization. In this process, not only positions are transferred, but also the transfer of knowledge, experience, and values is important for future leadership [39], [40] .

Regeneration aims to strengthen the organization's leadership structure by replacing existing leaders with new individuals who have skills and potential that are in line with the demands of the times. A regular regeneration process shows that the organization has structural health, bringing energy and fresh ideas to the face of challenges [41] . Leadership regeneration also supports human resource development, providing opportunities for young employees to grow and contribute to the maximum through training and mentorship that prepares them to become competent leaders [42] . In an era of rapid change, leadership regeneration helps organizations adapt to new trends and challenges, as young leaders tend to be more open to innovations and technologies that support operational efficiency [43] .

Leadership regeneration in the world of education has an important role for school principals in forming effective schools. Research shows that principals hold roles as educators, managers, administrators, supervisors, leaders, and innovators. They are required to adopt effective leadership strategies to achieve optimal educational goals [44] . The process of regeneration in educational institutions, such as Islamic boarding schools, also emphasizes the importance of preparing the next generation with strong religious and ethical values so that they can lead with integrity in the future [45] .

There are several important aspects of regeneration, including organizational sustainability, where regeneration ensures the presence of competent leaders for the future. In addition, regeneration provides a new perspective, as younger leaders often bring innovative ideas that fit into modern reality [40]. This process also increases the legitimacy of the organization because new leaders usually represent the aspirations of the next generation, thus increasing the trust of the organization's members and the wider community [41]. Regeneration also drives innovation, allowing new leaders to explore creative solutions to face challenges. Furthermore, regeneration includes coaching the younger generation to be ready to take over leadership roles, including providing hands-on learning opportunities from senior leaders [46].

However, the process of leadership regeneration faces certain challenges, including a lack of formal training programs for aspiring leaders that limit their skill development. Often, there is resistance from senior leaders who are reluctant to give up positions or feel that there are no competent enough candidates to replace them. In addition, limited resources, both financial and time, are often an obstacle for organizations to carry out regeneration programs effectively [47].

Therefore, leadership regeneration is an important part of organizational management. By preparing a new generation of leaders through adequate training and cadre regeneration programs, organizations can be better prepared to face future challenges. Further research in this area is urgently needed to explore leadership regeneration best practices in various organizational contexts [48], [49] .

Second, An effective leader needs to create an environment where all members feel valued and treated fairly. According to research, positive actions of leaders, such as providing support to subordinates and increasing participation in decisionmaking, play an important role in strengthening trust in the organization [50] . In the relationship between leaders and employees, organizational fairness acts as a mediator that can affect the quality of this relationship as well as trigger proactive employee behavior, such as Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) [51] .

Justice in an organization consists of three important aspects: procedural, distributive, and interactional justice. Procedural fairness focuses on how fair the decision-making process is perceived by the members of the organization. Leaders who are transparent and involve members in this process tend to reinforce perceptions of procedural fairness, which can increase employee job satisfaction and commitment [52] . Distributive justice deals with the perception of the rewards that individuals receive in proportion to their contributions. If members feel rewarded for their efforts, this strengthens loyalty and job satisfaction [53] . Interaction fairness emphasizes the quality of relationships between members and leaders. Leaders who listen, respect members' views, and communicate effectively can create a positive work environment, and increase team morale, and productivity [54] .

Fair leaders have several key characteristics that build trust and strengthen fairness in organizations. Integrity is one of the key traits, where leaders show consistency between their words and actions, ensuring fairness is not only talked about but also applied in every decision [50] . Empathy is also an important trait, which is the ability to understand the feelings and needs of team members, which allows leaders to make more appropriate and fair decisions [55] . In addition, fair leaders maintain transparency in the decision-making process, explaining each decision to reward member involvement [51] . Consistency is another principle that is always maintained by fair leaders, where the application of fairness is not situational but is carried out in all conditions, thus strengthening the sense of trust among team members [56] . Rewards for contributions are also done objectively, where rewards are given based on real performance, without being influenced by favouritism or personal relationships [57] .

The application of this justice has a wide impact on the organization. Increased trust is created when members feel treated fairly, strengthening communication and teamwork [58] . In addition, fairness-based organizations typically perform better because employees are more motivated to make positive contributions [59] . Justice can also reduce internal conflicts because it reduces dissatisfaction and creates a harmonious work environment [60] . Likewise, leaders who consider the fairness aspect in their decisions tend to increase job satisfaction among team members [61] . In addition, the behavior of leaders who reward them fairly is also linked to improved morale and positive behavior of employees. This shows that fairness is not only an ethical value but also a key strategy in leadership [56] .

However, implementing fairness within an organization presents its challenges, with factors such as organizational culture, management policies, and interactions between members also influencing perceptions of fairness. Leaders often face obstacles in meeting employees' expectations of fairness, especially when resources are limited or difficult decisions need to be made. Research also shows that when employees feel unfairly treated, work stress and dissatisfaction tend to increase [57] .

Implementing justice in leadership also presents some complex and diverse challenges. One of the main obstacles is legal and policy uncertainty, where leaders often have to operate in a legal system that is not always clear or consistent, making it difficult to implement fair decisions, particularly in the context of restorative justice which requires comprehensive rules. In addition, human resources are also an important factor, as leaders need to ensure that the team understands and values the principles of justice, which includes ongoing training and education for law enforcers and the Community [62] . Leaders are also faced with social and political pressures from various interest groups, which can sometimes lead to decisions that tend to be biased and sacrifice the principle of justice [63] . Public perception and trust also play a role in the successful implementation of justice, because people who feel that they are not treated fairly will find it difficult to accept the decisions taken by leaders, especially if there is a history of injustice against certain groups [64] . In addition, gender justice is a challenge in itself, as leaders must be able to address gender injustice in organizations and society, including addressing genderbased violence and ensuring that all parties are heard [65], [66] . Finally, economic dynamics also affect the application of justice, especially in difficult economic conditions, which demand leaders to make tough decisions such as budget cuts or services that some may perceive as unfair [67], [68] .

The concept of caliphate in Islam is an important foundation in the formation of student leadership character. In the perspective of Tarbawi interpretation, human beings as caliphs on earth have moral, social, and spiritual responsibilities that are not only limited to personal life but also include the wise management of the environment and society. The inculcation of this value in education aims to form students who are not only intellectually intelligent but also excel in ethics and leadership based on Islamic values [69], [70] .

Tafsir Tarbawi interprets the verses of the Qur'an with an educational approach so that leadership values such as trust, justice, responsibility, and cooperation can be instilled contextually in students. Through this understanding, students' character is formed to be able to become agents of change in society, in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [71], [72] .

In the context of the SDGs, leadership born from the concept of the caliphate has high relevance to global goals, such as quality education, equality, peace, and environmental conservation. Students who are prepared with these values are expected to be able to think critically, act wisely, and show empathy for social and ecological problems. Education that deeply instills the meaning of the caliphate not only produces future leaders but also pioneers of sustainable development rooted in spirituality and human values [73] .

Therefore, the integration of tafsir tarbawi in the educational curriculum is very important as a strategy to form a leadership character that is not only Islamic but also relevant to global challenges. This approach encourages the birth of a generation that can balance faith and knowledge, between individual and social responsibilities, and between the needs of this world and the hereafter. Thus, the concept of the caliphate is an important pillar in building sustainable and transformative student leadership character.