1. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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SUBMITTED TO:
SIR ASIF
SUBMITTED BY:
Mudusir Ali
REG-NO#
UW-13-MGT-BBA-046
MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
2. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCATION…………………………………………………………...….. 3
DEFINITION OF EDUCATION IN ISLAM……………………………………..4
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EDUCATION IN ISLAM……………………..……4
THE AIMS OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION…........................................................5
PROPHET ROLE…………………………………………………………………6
THE ROLE OF MOSQUE………………………………………………………..7
CHALLENGES TO GIRL & WOMEN EDUCATION…………………………7
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE THE GIRL………………………….8
EDUCATIO FOR ALL IN ISLAM……………………………………………….10
COMPONENTS OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM………………..11
CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….12
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………..13
3. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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INTRODUCTION
The definition of Islamic education may vary according to who is writing about it and from
which angle. Some emphasize the “tarbiya,” or character development. Others define it as
religious education, with emphasis on the Quran and other basic Islamic teachings and values.
For the purpose of this research, Islamic education refers to tarbiya and any other topics
specifically related to that development.1
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) said:
ْْأ َرْقاَْقَلَخ يِذَّلا َكِبَر ِمْساِبoْقَلَعْْنِْمَانَسنِْاإلَقَلَخoْْْْأ َرْقاْْمَْركَألْاَكُّبَرَوoْْيِذَّلاَْْمَّلَعِْْمَلَقْلاِبoَْْْمَّلَعْْْمَلْاَمَْانَسنِاإلَْْيْْمَلْْعoْ
“Read! In the name of your Lord and cherisher, who created – created man out of a mere clot of
congealed blood: Read! And your Lord is most bountiful, He who taught (the use of) the pen, -
taught man that which he knew not” (96:1-5) “And he taught Adam the names of all things; then
he placed them before the angels, and said: “tell me the names of these if you are right.” They
said:“Glory to you: of knowledge we have none save what you have taught us: in truth it is you
who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom” (2:31-2)
The revelation of the first surah of the Holy Quran delivered by Malaikat Jibril A.S. to the
Prophet S.A.W. is concerning education. The significance, variety and benefit of education were
mentioned directly and indirectly in many surahs. The readers of the Qur’an are frequently
requested to use their senses to learn, study and understand truly the meanings. They need to
generate dynamically their mind, sight, aural, oral capabilities and deed in order to acquire the
gist. These were practiced and manifested during the life of the beloved Prophet S.A.W., the
Companions and early generation of Muslim scholars during the glorious era of Islamic
Civilization. This is to show that Islam is very meticulous in this vital aspect of the Allah says:
َّْسْالْمكَلَْلَْعَجَْوًائْيَشَْونمَلْْعَتْْالْمكِتاَهَّمْأِونطْبْنِْمْمكَجَرْخَأْ َّاَّلل َو(َْونرْكشَتْْمكَّلَْعَلَْةَدِئْفَألا َْوَارَصْبَألا َْوَعْم78)ْ
Here the faculties mean the use of hearing (collecting info), seeing (observation), and thinking
(deriving new results).
Whichever group excels in using it becomes the leader, especially when Muslims do not follow
Islam.2
1
Improving the Quality of Islamic Education in Developing Countries: Innovative Approaches by Dr Amr Abdala
Page no:17
2
Concept of Education in Islam by Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem, Publised by Oxford University press
page no 2
4. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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DEFINITION OF EDUCATION IN ISLAM
The meaning of education in its totality in the context of Islam is fundamentally in the
combination of the terms Tarbiyyah, Ta’lim and Ta’dib. Literally, Tarbiyyah means ‘educate’,
Ta’lim means ‘knowledgeable’ and Ta’dib derived from the word ‘adaba’ means ‘moral’. These
terms comprehensively are concerning the multilateral relationship of human and their society;
human and environment; society and environment; and in relation to Allah. These cross-sectional
relation are all together represent the scope of education in Islam of both ‘formal’ and ‘non-
formal’, comprising the Fardhu Ain and Fardhu Kifayah.. This is a great versatility that the
Qur’an and the Prophet S.A.W. mention repeatedly the paramount importance of education and
the supremacy. It is stated in the Qur’an, “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and
those who have knowledge, to high ranks. Allah is informed of what he ye do.”(Al-
Mujadalah:11).3
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EDUCATION IN ISLAM
Education has been greatly emphasized in Islam. The first verse of the Qur’an to be revealed to
the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) indicates the importance of education in Islam; the verse started
with the word “Iqr’a”, it is a command that means ‘read’ in Arabic, and that implies the
concepts of ‘learning’, ‘exploring’ and ‘seeking enlightenment'. This demonstrates that reading
(knowledge) is the way to approach the Creator of all that exists. Verse 96/1-5 states:
"Read! In the Name of your Lord who has created (all that exists). He has created man
from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most
Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he
knew not. "
Hence, Muslims believe that Allah created humanity and commanded that they seek knowledge
in order to become stronger in their faith.
The importance of education has been emphasized repeatedly in the Qur’an, which is the
ultimate source of guidance for Muslims. Verse 20/114 says, "My Lord! Increase me in
knowledge." This verse indicates that whatever we know is limited as we need to keep asking
Allah to increase our knowledge. Therefore, a Muslim should constantly be seeking more
knowledge (ilm). The Qur’an treats knowledge as a means to reaching iman (faith) for all
Muslims, males and females, to becoming true believers. This is demonstrated in the following
verses:
”Allah grants wisdom to whom He pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he
receives an overflowing benefit.” Surah 2/269“Those truly fear God, among His
Servants, who have knowledge: for God is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” Surah
35/28
”Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are
3 Concept of Education in Islam page no: 2
5. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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endowed with understanding that receive admonition.” Surah 39/9
The hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) also emphasise the value of knowledge. As the following
hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah notes:
When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by
which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (the deceased)." (Sahih Muslim:
Book 12, Hadith 4005).
Therefore, in the Qur’an and hadith, the importance of education is explicit; in Islam seeking
education is obligatory, and that knowledge is considered to be the path towards greater
closeness to Allah. 4
THE AIMS OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION
The Islamic Education represents the Islamic spirit in general, it aspires to construct the human
being toward achievement of the human values, the role of education to link between reality and
values, it means reconciliation between theory and practice, saying or word and doing.
Islamic Education aims to make Balance between three levels: sense, mind and ethics, and
promoting them by various Educational methods.
Islamic education emphasis the significance of the (purpose) goal of science or knowledge,
because the function of science is to serve the human being. So scientific research must aim to
bring benefit for humanity and to be connected with certain human Values, but science does not
give benefit and may harm humanity and offensive the equality of life, it is an acceptable
science.
The aims and objectives of Islamic education, basically are: to provide the teachings of Holy
Quran as the primary source of education; to provide experiences which are based on
fundamentals of Islam as embodied in Holy Quran and Sunnah which cannot be changed; to
provide experiences in the form of knowledge and skills with clear understanding that these
experiences are likely to be changed in the light of changes in society; to develop understanding
that knowledge without the basis in faith and religion is in complete education; to develop
commitment towards the basic values which have been prescribed; to develop the sense of
accountability towards Almighty creator so that man can perform and success in the live; to
encourage international brotherhood irrespective of differences in races and origins; to foster
great consciousness of the Divine Presence in the universe; to bring man nearer to an
understanding of God and of the relation in which man stands to his Creator; to develop piety
and faith among the followers; to produce man who has faith as well as knowledge in spiritual
development; and, to develop high quality of a good man who are universally accepted and has
faith in righteous religion.
4
Islamic perspectives on education By Mamoun Abuarqub, Page no: 6-7
Published by Islamic Relief Worldwide 19 Rea Street South Birmingham B5 6LB United Kingdom
6. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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In contrast to previous concept, Halstead perceive the functional aim of science in different way,
he claims “Like money, knowledge is not to be accumulated for its own but must be put to used.
And the appropriate use for knowledge from a Muslim perspective is to help people to
knowledge Cod, to live in accordance with Islamic law and fulfill the purposes of God’s
creation. Knowledge which does not serve these proposes may be considered useless. all this
implies a concept of knowledge that is very different from dominant western concepts. (J.M
halstead. 520 2004).
Also, Islamic Education does not separate between Humanism and citizenship. It indicates the
humanism but not mentioned citizenship, because it including in largest circle. There no question
that the Muslim being had to behave the same behavior everywhere. as well as education for
reconciliation between Individual and community. Muhammad Iqbal, the goal of Education is
“the creation of men”, he balances the concern for individuality with an active and responsible
social reformation. (Wan Mohd Nor 124 1998).5
PROPHET ROLE
The Prophet SAW said: اًممعل بعثت إنما (I am sent as a teacher.)
Allah says:
َْابَتِكْلْاْمهمِلَْعيَْوْمِيهِكَزيَْوِهِتاَيْآْمِهْيَلَعْولْتَيْ ْمهْنِْمًالوسَْر َينِيِمْاأليِفْ َثَْعَبْيِذَّلْا َوهْْواَانكْ ْنِإ َْوَةَمْك ِحْلا َوْلْبَقْ ْنِمْيَِِلْ
ْينِبْماللَضْ
The verse mentions 4 roles:
• Recite the verses
• Do Tazkiah: Purify their lives (from negatives) and enhance good qualities
• Teach them the Book
• Teach them the Hikmak
The above 4 are the real areas of education in Islam. It is not just delivering information.
The prophet Muhammad said ; “the superiority of a learned man over a worshipper is like the
superiority of moon over stars”
The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, “Belief is without dress and its dress
is the fear of Allah, its ornament is shame and its fruit is knowledge”. and: “if a man seeks the
path of acquiring knowledge, Allah guides him to a path leading to paradise”.6
5
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 2 No. 19 [Special Issue – October 2012]Islamic
Philosophy of Education by Dr. Sobhi Rayan, page no:155
6
Concept of Education in Islam by Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem
page no 15
7. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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THE ROLE OF MOSQUES
The mosque played a major part in the spread of education in the Muslim World, and the
association of the mosque with education remained one of its main characteristics throughout
history, and the school became an indispensable appendage to the mosque. From the earliest days
of Islam, the mosque was the centre of the Muslim community, a place for prayer, meditation,
religious instruction, political discussion, and a school. And anywhere Islam took hold, mosques
were established, and basic religious and educational instruction began. Once established,
mosques developed into well-known places of learning, often with hundreds, even thousands, of
students, and frequently contained important libraries.
The first school connected to a mosque was set up at Medina 653, and by 900 nearly every
mosque had an elementary school for the education of both boys and girls. Children usually
started school at five: one of the first lessons was learning how to write the ninety-nine most
beautiful names of God and simple verses from the Quran. After the rudiments of reading and
writing were mastered, the Quran was then studied thoroughly, and arithmetic was introduced.
For those who wanted to study further, the large mosques, where education was more advanced,
offered instruction in Arabic grammar and poetry, logic, algebra, biology, history, law, and
theology. Although advanced teaching often took place in madrassas, hospitals, observatories,
and the homes of scholars, in Spain, teaching often took place in madrassas, hospitals,
observatories, and the homes of scholars, in Spain, teaching took place mostly in the mosques,
starting with the Cordoba mosque in the 8th century.7
CHALLENGES TO GIRL & WOMEN EDUCATION:
Over the ages in all civilizations and in Judaism & Christianity, the girl/woman was accorded an
inferior or sub-human status. To the Greeks and Jews she was both a source of evil and
misfortune; the Chinese and Hindu refer to the woman not as an entity but through her father,
husband or son. Jewish scriptures view her as under an eternal curse while Christianity portrays
Jesus’ mission to man was to redeem him of the sins a woman was responsible for. So also the
Arabs, who viewed the girl as a burden to the family and buried her alive at birth. All these
perspectives of girls/women overlapped into most societies and continued over time and to date
the girl/woman does not receive priority attention.
Islam set in motion a process that would guarantee women equality with men before Allah and
create general awareness that they possessed a distinct individuality of her own. It took one-step
at a time to achieve its goal. From prohibition of preferential preferential treatment among
children to emphasizing special care to girls, to laying down rights and responsibilities of
partners in marriage, rights to inheritance, 5 duty on her as on the male to command good and
7
EDUCATION IN ISLAM:THE ROLE OF MOSQUE by Salah Zaimeche page no:3,
ChiefEditor: professor Salim Al-Hassani, Editor: professor Talip Alp
Production: Ahmed Salim, Release Date: june 2002, Publication ID: 4015
8. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
ISLAM
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prohibit evil, the woman emerged as a fully fledged human with independent legal status and
independent rights and obligations.
Despite all these reforms however, the societal conception of a girl child today is still far below
expected standards. The girl child is required to work to supplement family upkeep, carrying
wares on her head from street to street to the market or other public places. She is married off
early to reduce cost of living. This marriage in some cases leads to psychological trauma, child
motherhood and so on. The following are additional factors detrimental to girls’ education
worldwide.
Most Ulama still believe that it is haram to educate a woman. Their argument is based on the fact
that the education referred to in the Qur’an and the various hadith is that of the religion and even
that is limited to the study of the Qur’an, Sunnah, Fiqh and Arabic. They also argue that an
educated woman transcends her limits. Western education, some Ulamah believes melts away
the innocence of a girl and thus it is extremely detrimental to her life. Schools run by people who
do not have Islamic knowledge. This leads to incompetent mode of instruction and deficient
syllabus. Cultural practices that take precedence over religious beliefs where boys are given
priority over girls. Some parents believe that educating a girl is waste of resources as she will
marry and move in to another family. Poverty pushes many parents to make their daughters hawk
and get temporary relief from financial problems than allow them to go to school. 8
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE THE GIRL CHILD?
Allah says in the (Qur’an 16:97) “Whoever is righteous, whether male or female, while he or she
is a true believer, verily, to him we will give good life and we shall pay them certainly a reward
in proportion to the best of what they used to do”. The girl child has to earn righteousness and
this can happen only through education. Men and women are rewarded equally and that
distinction is based only on Taqwa (Qur’an 49:13)“O mankind! We created you from a male and
female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily the most
honored of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full
knowledge and is well familiar with all things.” In his lecture ‘Advice to the Muslimah’ Aboo
Khadeejah 'Abdul-Waahid pointed out that; “The role of the Muslim woman is a role of guidance
and nurturing, raising children upon the Sunnah, producing a generation of young men and
women who know their religion and practice it”. For the woman to take up this vital role, she
definitely needs education. Ibn Al Jawzi in his book ‘Ahkam Al nisa’ said; “A woman is
accountable just as the man is. She is obliged to seek knowledge of her duties so that she may
perform them properly.”
Since the girl is the first school for her children, she cannot teach them without knowledge. It is
equally important to educate the girl child for the following reasons; Allah has said in the
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9. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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Qur’an: “O you who believe, protect yourself and your family from the hell fire……. “ (Qur’an
66:6) She cannot perform this duty or play this role of protecting her family without essential
knowledge. The Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.) said: “You are all
shepherds and you will be asked on the day of judgement about your flock.” To be a shepherd
one needs to have the 6 technicalities. She needs the knowledge of how to run her house, take
care of her family and guide it the best way.
Education is one of the fundamental rights of individuals as the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights article 26 stipulates. It is very important to educate the girl child especially so she can
play the role that Allah has ordained for her and be a true and faithful believer thereby attaining
paradise. Education for girls leads to less domestic conflict in the family. Education leads to
common understanding and better communication. The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of
Allah be on him) has said: whoever is not concerned with the situation of Muslims is not one of
them. Concern is born only out of education, knowledge of the needs of the Ummah and its
environment. Muslims today, live in a complex and difficult world dominated by systems of
knowledge, technologies and economics, which have marginalized them. The uneducated girl
will not be able to impact on the development of the Ummah with the men unless she attains the
right education.
Moreover, the prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: “Whoever dies while
seeking knowledge in order to revive Islam, will be in paradise and nothing would be between
him and the prophets except one degree.” Reported by Ad Darami. Women owe the Ummah a
duty to know the contemporary world intimately, to be able to analyze it using principles and
concepts from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and to offer alternatives for the future direction of man.
The prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be on him) has said; the best of mankind is
he who is beneficial to others. Good education leads to strategies in bringing about a better, more
just, caring and a safer world. Khilafah and Amanah mentioned in the Qur’an as expected of
mankind can only be realised with education. Concepts are supposed to shape our attitude to
economic development, politics, environment and ecological balance e.g. The saying of the
Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be on him) “Purity is half of faith” and
“cleanliness is part of faith” – how does this affect health and sanitation requirements of people
living in crowded cities and slums? Education for the girl promotes a reduction in poverty. She
will be less dependent on either her family or husband. This will also give them a more
productive life.
Education gives her the power to attend to other women’s problems as a doctor, nurse, teacher
etc. The woman has a better understanding of her fellow women’s problems.9
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Education for All in Islam
In Islam, the duty of seeking knowledge and learning is obligatory for every Muslim. Islam
affirms the right to education for all without gender discrimination. For example, in Verse 39/9
(Mentioned above), the Qur’an addresses all people and indicates that people will be judged by
their knowledge and understanding.
In addition to the emphasis on knowledge for all Muslims in the Qur’an, women’s education is
emphasized in many of the hadiths of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). He encouraged the
education of members of the most marginalized communities including slave girls. The Prophet
said:
..“'He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then
manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; (narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ashari)
This approach was followed to eradicate slavery in the early days of Islam, but at the same time
indicates the importance of girl’s education in the Prophet’s (pbuh) thinking.
In Islam, the welfare of orphans is also emphasized. Muslims are encouraged to provide for the
physical, social and psychological needs of orphans, including their education as part of
equipping them with the means to achieving a decent livelihood. The Qur’an states:
"They ask you, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: that which you spend for good
(must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And
whatsoever good you do, lo! Allah is Aware of it." Surah 2/215
Furthermore, the principles of charity in Islam offer a way through which Muslims can support
education programmes that will empower the disadvantaged sections of society. Waqf, apart
from zakat4and sadaqah5, is one way that Muslims engage in ongoing charity (Sadaqa Jareyah).
Waqf can be in the form of paying for or declaring a building or land as a communal space, with
schools and training centers falling within this category. Thus, Islam offers many forms of
charity that Muslims can observe in order to promote education projects for the disadvantaged in
developing countries.
In line with the relatively recent calls of international institutions for universal education, Islam
has been advocating education as a social necessity for over 1400 years. In addition, Islam
encourages individuals to focus their efforts on the disadvantaged especially and provide them
with greater access to educational opportunities.10
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11. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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Components of Islamic Education Curriculum
Based on this review of the content of Islamic education, the following topics are usually taught
in educational institutions that focus primarily on Islamic education. Such curricula may exist in
Exclusively Islamic education institutions, or in institutions that offer a strong dose of Islamic
education combined with a general education curriculum:
Quranic Interpretation (Tafsir):
This subject includes reviews of the classic interpretations of the Quran according to several
early scholars such as Ibn Kathir, El-Tabari, and Ibn Taymiyya. In some institutions, the
interpretations provided by contemporary scholars such as Sayed Qutb and Mawdudi may also
be included.
Prophet’s Sayings and Practices (Hadith):
This subject addresses the processes used to ensure the authenticity of stories and statements
related to the Prophet Mohammed, and review of the collections compiled by earlier scholars
such as Bukhari and Muslim.
Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh):
This subject includes the methodologies used by various scholars, especially those representing
the major four schools of jurisprudence in Sunni Islam (Shaf’i, Hanafi, Malki, and Hanbali), and
their rulings on a variety of subjects, usually cataloged under categories such as prayer, marriage,
divorce, charity, and jihad.
Islamic Basic Beliefs (‘Aqaid):
This subject focuses on the fundamental Islamic beliefs such as unity of God, existence of
angels and Satan, Day of Judgment, heaven, and hell.
Arabic Language:
As Arabic is the language of the Quran, almost all educational institutions that focus on Islamic
education provide education in the Arabic language. Proficiency in Arabic is usually regarded
highly in such institutions.
Islamic Rituals:
This subject deals with how Muslims should perform their rituals such as prayer, fasting, and
pilgrimage to Mecca. Fiqh books include elaborate volumes on those subjects.
Islamic History:
This subject focuses primarily on Islamic history from the time of Prophet Mohammed to the
present.
12. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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Islamic Manners and Values:
This subject includes focused education especially for children on proper Islamic manners as
preached and practiced in the formative era of slam; an era regarded by most Islamic scholars as
a golden age from which many positive lessons and models may be drawn. In educational
institutions that offer primarily a general education curriculum, the subject of religion usually
includes elements of Islamic manners and values.11
Conclusion
The education is far better then before advent of Islam. Muslim beware of Islam,and choose the
right path to follow.Islam gives us a new life to maintain a much better life.Education in Islam,
Muslim follow the education and knows the difference berween the good and bad evils.It gives
us zeal and zest to produce such new imagination and to follow the islam.
“ SEEK EDUCATION FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE ”
11
Islamic perspectives on education, By Mamoun Abuarqub, Page no17
13. THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION IN
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REFERENCES
Islamic perspectives on education By Mamoun Abuarqub, Published by Islamic Relief
Worldwide19 Rea Street South Birmingham B5 6LB United Kingdom
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 2 No. 19 [Special Issue –
October 2012]Islamic Philosophy of Education, Page no: 155 Dr. Sobhi Rayan Senior
Lecturer Department of Education Alqasemi Academy College Baka AL-qarbiyh, Israel.
Concept of Education in Islam by Dr. Abdulazeez Abdulraheem, page no 15
Published by Oxford University press
EDUCATION IN ISLAM:THE ROLE OF MOSQUE
Author: Salah Zaimeche
ChiefEditor: professor Salim Al-Hassani
Editor: professor Talip Alp
Production: Ahmed Salim
Release Date: june 2002
Publication ID: 4015
Improving the Quality of Islamic Education in Developing Countries: Innovative
Approaches By
Dr. Amr Abdalla
Dr. Muhammed Abu-Nimer
Dr. Ilham Nasser
Dr. Aysa Kadayific
Ms. Lynn Kunkle
Mr. Saber el-Kilani
Islam and Girl Child Education by Dr.Imran, published by World Trade
