Introduction to Islam

• Islam is derived from the Arabic word "islām" which means "submission (to Allah)."
• The holy book of Islam is the Qur'an (Quran or Koran).
• Followers of Islam are called Muslims.
• The Prophet of Islam is Muhammad.
• The place of worship in Islam is the Masjid (mosque).
• Islam is the second-largest religion in the world.

The Five Pillars of Islam

• The Five Pillars are Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Hajj, and Fasting.
• Shahadah is faith.
• Salah is prayer.
• Zakat is charity.
• Hajj is pilgrimage.
• Sawm or siyam is fasting. Fasting involves praying five daily prayers, studying Islamic knowledge, reciting the Holy Quran, doing lots of Dhikr, making lots of Duaa, giving in charity, and helping the poor.

Islamic Education

• Islamic education is religious in character.
• It contributes to the spread of Islam.
• It helps in the preservation of Muslim culture.

Aims of Islamic Education

• To perfect all dimensions of human beings.
• To enable individuals to be good Muslims.
• To encourage people to live as prophet Muhammad did
• To foster personality and character development.
• To aid in understanding the Quran.
• Education aims to promote awareness of responsibility as Muslims.
• The Islamic education aims to develop spiritual knowledge.
• Islamic education aims to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• It prepares students for a life of purity and sincerity.
• It teaches about the Five Pillars of Islam.

Areas of Islamic Philosophy of Education

• Metaphysics (Believes/ Ontology) concept includes God and his attributes.
• Epistemology covers the concept of knowledge.
• Axiology relates to the concept of values.

Ontology

• Ontology explores the nature of reality.
• It deals with the world and the universe.
• It investigates Allah's relation to man.
• It discusses the soul.
• It considers man's power.
• It addresses death.
• It deals with the concept of life after death.

Epistemology

• Deductive knowledge: Knowledge by inference (Ilm al-Yaqin).
• Observatory knowledge: Knowledge by perception (Ain al-Yaqin).
• Empirical knowledge: Knowledge by personal experience or intuition (Haq al-Yaqin).

Axiology

• Life.
• Religion.
• Eternity.
• Unity.
• Truth/wisdom.
• Knowledge.
• Love.
• Justice.
• Goodness.
• Beauty.

Organization of Islamic Education

• Bismillah marks the start of education.
• Maktaba serves as primary education.
• Madarsas provide higher education.

Curriculum

• Maktaba focuses on the letters of alphabets, e.g., Urdu, Arabic, Persian.
• Stories of Muslim Fakirs are taught.
• Poems of Persian Poets are included as part of the curriculum.
• Grammar and literature, history of laws of Islam, astrology, history, geography, agriculture, Unani system of medicine are taught.
• Madarsas Religious education involves intensive and critical analysis of the Quran.
• Intensive study of Islamic Law.
• Sufism.
• The heritage of Mohammad Sahib.
• Madarsas include Languages and literatures of Arabic and Persian.
• History, Geography.
• Astronomy, Astrology.
• Arithmetic.
• Agriculture, Medicine.
• Economics, Ethics, Philosophy.

Teaching Methods

• Maktaba employs Recitation, collective repetition.
• Writing, reading and oral methods.
• Monitor methods.
• Madarsas uses Lecture method.
• Self-study is encouraged.
• Practical method is used in subjects like music and architecture.

Teacher

• Teachers (ustad) are considered spiritual fathers.
• Qualities of a teacher includes tolerance, patience, hardworking, honesty and punctuality.
• Students (Shagird) are taught with an emphasis on character building.
• Evaluation involves oral or written tests.

Educational Implications of Islamic Education

• Practical and useful education is provided.
• Free education is ensured.
• Individual contact between teacher and student is maintained.
• A monitorial system is in place.
• Teachers have a high status.
• Education receives patronage.
• Cultural unity is promoted.
• There is encouragement to Persian language and Science.
• Focus on the development of literature and history.
• Democratic leadership

Merits of Islamic Education

• State patronage of education.
• Organization of free education.
• Beginning of scholarship.
• Separate arrangement of primary and secondary education.
• Development of knowledge is emphasized.
• Encouragement to literature.
• Education of history writing.
• Development of monitorial system.

Demerits of Islamic Education

• Discrimination in economic assistance.
• The main aim of education is to propagate Islamic culture and religion
• Disregard to Indian languages, literature, religion and philosophy.
• Foreign languages used as the medium of education.
• Emphasis on rote learning.
• Repressive discipline.
• Neglect of women's education.