Philosophy of Islamic Education PDF

Foundations of Education Lecture 11: Education in Islam Assoc. Prof. Dr. Merah Souad Faculty of Education and Arts, Sohar University  Introduction Education is the integral preparation of the good, dutiful, and wholesome individual,...

Foundations of Education Lecture 11: Education in Islam Assoc. Prof. Dr. Merah Souad Faculty of Education and Arts, Sohar University  Introduction Education is the integral preparation of the good, dutiful, and wholesome individual, physically, spiritually (in his relation with his Lord), mentally, and scientifically within clear and a simple frame work that begins with the individual in particular and ends up with the entire human being society in general. It also starts from this life and eventually leads to the hereafter.  Cont… In order to realize such ultimate goal, Islam value prized knowledge and learning. The first word uttered by angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) was ‘iqra’! (lit. “Recite” or “Read”). The full verse made journey in search of knowledge, an incumbent assignment upon every believer, including the prophet of Islam (pbuh) himself to whom the text addressed: “Proclaim (or Read) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created” (Surah 96, Al- ‘Alaq: 1). ‘Iqra’ here, may mean ‘read’ or ‘recite’ or ‘rehearse’ or ‘proclaim and land’, the object understood being Allāh’s message…this proclaiming or reading implies not only the duty of calling forth Allāh’s message, as going with the prophetic office, but also the duty of promulgation and wide dissemination of the truth by all who read and understand it.  Abu Hamid Al Ghazali ( 1058– 1111) Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Ghazali was born in the city Tus of , northern Persia (Iran) during the reign of the Seljuk, in the year 1058/450H. Ghazali, became 'the most scholarly person of his generation and the imam of his time'; his brother Ahmed 'an awe-inspiring preacher' He underwent a spiritual crisis in 1095 Ghazali's major works is Ihya' Ulum al-Din or Ihya'u Ulumiddin (The Revival of Religious Sciences). It covers almost all fields of Islamic sciences: fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), kalam(theology) and sufism. Al-Ghazali received many titles such as Sharaf-ul-Aʾima, Zayn -al din & Ḥujjat-ul-Islām  Al Ghazali’s Educational Views on Education knowledge exists potentially in the human soul like the seed in the soil; by learning the potential becomes actual." The child, Al-Ghazali also wrote, "is a trust (placed by God) in the hands of his parents, and his innocent heart is a precious element capable of taking impressions". If the parents, and later the teachers, brought him(the child) up in righteousness he would live happily in this world and the next and they would be rewarded by God for their good deed. If they neglected the child’s upbringing and education he would lead a life of unhappiness in both worlds and they would bear the burden of the sin of neglect One of the elements Al-Ghazali insists upon is that, a child should be taught the words of the Creed (Qur’an) in his earliest days and be taught the meaning gradually as he grew older; corresponding to the three stages of memorizing, understanding and conviction. A child must be taught modesty in all aspects of life: AL Ma’kaal (food) Al Malbas (clothes)…etc Adab and knowledge form one inseparable educational package.  Al-Ghazali’s Teaching Tips for Teachers Be kind to students and treat them as if they were your own children. Follow the prophet’s example in spreading knowledge without expecting remuneration from it. Advice students not to acquire a degree before they are worthy of it. Do not rely on students’ good speech alone, but pay attention also to their conduct. In case of misdemeanor, use gentle approach. Choose simple problems for beginners. Support percepts by examples. Encourage students to use their own sense and judgment rather than imitating others.  Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 A.D) Ibn Khaldun is a Muslim scholar. His contribution qualified him to be deservedly viewed by many specialists as one of the first philosophers of history, side by side with Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. While some other scholars viewed him as a cultural historian, still others viewed Ibn Khaldun as a sociologist in the broader sense. His book “Kitab al-Ibar” (The Introduction), “which is a dissertation on the history of the world as its subtitles indicate” earned Ibn Khaldun a very prestigious reputation. He dealt with khabar (historical narrative) concerning the Arabs and the Berbers, in addition to those people contemporary with them who merit historical significance by their assumption of power.”  Education According to Ibn Khaldun According to Ibn Khaldun, education takes two dimensions: Education at the level of values Education at the level of knowledge Ways to acquire Knowledge According to Ibn Khaldun Imparting information to students at their level of comprehension Students should not be forced to memorize Subjects should not be taught in a broken sequence Two subjects should not be taught together Appropriate length of subjects taught It is harmful to be very strict with the student Travelling and conferencing with scholars is useful for education Education should be practical Learning science requires skills  Ibn Sina(Avicenna) 980 – 1037 Abū 'Alī al-Ḥusayn ibn 'Abd Allāh ibn Sīnā (Remark: the only autobiography about him, was written down by his student Jūzjānī). He was born c. 980 in Qishlak Afshona, a village near Bukhara (in present-day Uzbekistan), the capital of the Samanids, a Persian dynasty in Central Asia and Greater Khorasan from an Ismaili family. His father was a scholar. Ibn Sina's independent thought was served by an extraordinary intelligence and memory, which allowed him to overtake his teachers at the age of fourteen. As he said in his autobiography, there was nothing that he had not learned when he reached eighteen. Avicenna had memorised the Ibn Sina’s philosophy and Views on Education 1- The human being in Ibn Sina’s views, consists of both Hidden (Sirr) and Open (Alan). The Sirr is the power of the mind. The Alan is the body/ physique/ Morphology. 2- Knowledge: He considered the soul with all its faculties as the path to knowledge or perception for it He distinguishes between sensory perception and intellectual perception. 1- Aims of education: The overall growth of the individual, physical (food, drink, cleanliness & fitness), mental and moral followed by the preparation of this individual to live in society through a chosen trade according to his aptitude. In conclusion it is the making of the upright citizen  The Educational Stages According to Ibn Sina 1- The infant stage It starts from birth until the second year the new born baby must be handled with care, umbilical cord must be cut gently, the baby must be checked attentively , food sleep ,bathing and suckling must be observed on time ( Doctor’s view) 2- The stage of childhood (playing) From the 3rd to the 5th year. Learning through formal system (tutor) must start at the age of 6 years. However, morals must be given to the child in order to keep him away from harmful influences which might affect his soul and morality. Taking care of the body’s development is crucial. Development of taste and behavior (different interests: music, poetry, rhymes) to satisfy the child’s pleasure in order for him to appreciate the virtues. Teaching method; There is no specific method for this stage, enjoyment must be there. 3- The first stage of formal teaching From 6 – 14 years old. At the stage of 6 serious education must start to be given gradually to take away the child from games and sports. Subjects: Islamic culture, Qur’an, Arabic poetry , calligraphy & adab. Teaching must be done in groups( peer learning) Method of teaching: Qur’an memorization must be first. Then Arabic letters. Rajaz(poetic verses) should be recited then the qasida because the rajaz is easier and more quickly learned and its rhythm is lighter. Reading Writing Poetry Acquiring the outlines of religion Movement/ playing/ games are still needed. 4- The specialized education stage: It comes after the child has completed the general primary teaching and his aptitudes have become apparent either to continue in the field of education or to learn a craft and earn a living. This will define the type of study he wants to do or the work (vocational )he wants to obtain. The inclination towards this or that will be observed by parents and more importantly by teachers (school orientation) Students differ in their abilities and aptitudes. Ibn Sina pointed out very clearly the necessity for educational and vocational guidance. He would Method of teaching: It is an open- ended education (for life) It depends on the Field Study( theoretical) or manual / practical which will be defined according to students choice  Al Farabi (Al-Pharabius) He is Abū Naṣr Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad Fārābī for known in the West as Alpharabius. He was a renowned scientist and philosopher of the Islamic Golden Age. He was also a cosmologist, logician, and musician, representing the multidisciplinary approach of Muslim scientists. He was born in 257/ad 870. (His origin and place of birth have been based on hearsay).He may rightly be acclaimed as one of the greatest of Islamic philosophers of all time. (http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H021.htm)  Al Farabi’s Educational views In fact, education is one of the most important social phenomena in al-Farabi's philosophical system. It is concerned with the human soul and makes sure that the individual is prepared from an early age to become a member of society. to achieve his own level of perfection, and thus to reach the goal for which he was created. (http://www.muslimheritage.com/article/al- farabis-doctrine-education-between- philosophy-and-sociological-theory#sec1) The perfect human being (al-insan al-kamil), thought al-Farabi, is the one who has obtained theoretical virtue—thus completing his intellectual knowledge—and has acquired  This perfection which he expects from education combines knowledge and virtuous behavior. Theoretical and practical perfection can only be obtained within society, for it is society that nurtures the individual and prepares him to be free. If he were to live outside society, he might only learn to be a wild animal. One of the aims of education is the formation of political leaders, because ‘ignorance is more harmful in monarchs than it is in the common people because, the citizens have a real need for a leader who conducts an acceptable policy, directing their affairs in a praiseworthy manner and improving their situation. There is integration between the individual, the family and the city in social life. The political leader, has the function of a doctor who treats souls and his political skill is to the wellbeing of the city while the physician's skill is to bodily health.  Education’s Different Meanings According to Al-Farabi Education, is necessary for every individual in the nation, since without it nobody would be able to reach perfection and happiness Al-Farabi used a large number of technical terms to describe the concept of education: Discipline (ta'dib) , Correction/assessment (taqwim) , Training (tahdhib), Guidance (tasdid), Instruction (ta'lim) , Exercise or learning (irtiyad) , Upbringing or education (tarbiya). Good manners or culture (adab), In his opinion, in their true educational meaning are the ‘combination of all the good qualities  Al-Farabi believes that education is founded upon the basis of the human being having certain inborn aptitudes, which he calls ‘nature‘. Knowledge thus begins with the senses, then becomes an intellectual conception by way of imagination. The method of instruction must be appropriate to the level of the learners, depending on whether people belong to the common people or the elite. The teacher , must be of good character, free from cravings and seek only the truth. The student should possess three qualities: A- he should be able to grasp concepts and understand their meaning; B- accept the existence of what he has grasped or understood; C- be able to describe what he has grasped and accepted.  The student must always be most eager to learn and study. (motivated) The value of learning languages. The habituation: the repetitive method is appropriate for teaching ethics and practical arts. This habituation takes place by persuasion and affective speech, which establishes them in the mind, so that the learners resolve to carry them out voluntarily themselves.  AL-Frabi’s Teaching Tips Imagination: producing an imaginative impression' Understanding is better than memorization. Proficiency in the arts to combine learning with practical action. The first step in teaching something is to use the correct name which signifies it. Then define it, and explain the various parts of this definition, and likewise explain its particular and general characteristics, so that the former part of the latter. One may use illustrations of the object, and describe its special features and its unusual features. It is also possible to make it understood by resorting to something that resembles it, or which can be compared with it; and to use the method of subdivision, induction, analogy and metaphor.