Muslim Philosophers’

Perspective on Education
IMAM GHAZALI (1058-1111)
• Ghazali was one of the greatest and most original
thinkers in Islam.
• He was a prominent individual in society, being a
teacher and a prolific writer with an immense
intellectual position.
• Influencing Islamic thought and defining its
practice for nearly nine centuries.
• Often referred to as the ‘Proof of Islam’. This
indicates the high regard there is for him and his
ongoing influence.
IMAM GHAZALI (1058-1111)
• Al Ghazali was born in 1058 AD in Tus,
which lies within the Khorasan
Province of Persia (Iran).
• He started to learn about Islam at the
age of 7 by attending the local
madrasa (school).
• He studied Arabic, Persian, the Qur’an,
and the principles of religion.
IMAM GHAZALI (1058-1111)
• He went on to intermediate and higher education
at a madrasa.
• Here he studied fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), tafsir
(Quranic exegesis), and hadith (Prophetic
tradition).
• Towards the age of fifteen, Al-Ghazali moved to
Jurjan to study fiqh.
• He then moved to Nishapur, where he studied
fiqh, kalam (scholastic theology), logic, and,
possibly, some philosophy.
PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

 The aim of education is to nurture human beings so that they abide by the teachings of religion and henceforward

will be rewarded in life hereafter.

 He emphasized the significance of childhood in character building.

 He said that teachers should consider the differences in ability and character among students, and deal with

everyone appropriately.

 He stresses that learning is only effective when it is put into practice.

 He recommended an early introduction to the fundamentals of religion through memorization, inculcation, and

repetition. In the subsequent stage, understanding, explanation, and conscious practice must be carried out.
IBNE-KHALDUN (1332-1406 AD)

• Ibne Khaldun was a philosopher of history

and the first social scientist.
• Ibn e Khaldun has made the three most
significant contributions to social
sciences.
• He obtained his basic education from his
father who was a renowned scholar.
• He was keenly interested in tradition,
grammar, poetry, language, and law.
IBNE-KHALDUN (1332-1406 AD)

• He also studied Philosophy, theology,

logic, and other Islamic subjects.

• He learned Qur’an by heart.

• Ibne Khaldun was an expert in fiqh, nahu,

hadith, rhetoric, poetry, and philosophy.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

 He described the educational process from the perspective of the development of society.

 He believed that the attainment of knowledge was the natural urge of human beings because

they possess the power of reasoning and thinking.

 He had emphasized that children’s drill methods and teaching aids must be used to make

children learn.

 He integrated the educational programs with the behavioral ones.

 He presented the theory of specialization and perfection in learning.

 He has presented philosophy for early childhood education.

AHMAD IBN MUHAMMAD IBN YA`QUB -IBN MISKAWAYH
(C.940-1030)
• He is also known as Abu 'Ali al-Khazin. Miskawayh was
appealed to Greek philosophy.
• He studied history, philosophical disciplines, and
alchemy.
• He is recognized as an eminent theistic thinker,
historian, moralists, and historian of Persia.
• The most significant part of Miskawayh's philosophical
activity is devoted to ethics.
• Three important books of Miskawayh on ethics are
Tartib al-Sa`adah, Tahdhib al-Akhlaq, and Jawidan
Khirad.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

 Ibn Miskawayh’s objectives and theory of education were based on Aristotelian theory of

education which specified intellectual, moral and physical education aiming to produce good

human beings from the social point of view and attaining eternal happiness and self-

realization.

 To Ibn Miskawayh, the goal of life was to combine human will with the Divine Will

 For Ibn Miskawayh aim of religious education was not merely to shield against irreligion but

to construct the conscience of the child.

.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION
 The famous book “Tahdhib al-akhlaq” (Refinement of character) of
Miskawayh is a guide to practical conduct.

 Miskawayh provided rules for the preservation of moral health for

the cultivation of character

 Miskawayh also described some methods for the training of soul

action of character.
AL FARABI (872-951 AD)
• Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Farabi, also known in
Arabic as Al-Muallim Al-Thani
• The second teacher (after Aristotle) is easily one
of the greatest philosophers of the world.
• His contribution to both Aristotelian and Platonic
thought is immeasurable and the modern age
owes a great debt to this Central Asian polymath
who not only preserved but developed Greek
philosophy.
AL FARABI (872-951 AD)
• He contributed to philosophy, mathematics,
music and metaphysics, but I am partial to his
work in political philosophy.

• In the history of Islamic philosophical thought, Al-

Farabi was the true first founder of epistemology
which depends on demonstration and ‘universal
reason’.
• Al-Farabi has a great contribution in education.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION
 Al Farabi established logic within Islamic culture.
 In Al-Farabi's philosophical system, education is one of the most important
social phenomena.
 Al-Farabi emphasized that it is also aim of education to produce good
leaders.
 Al-Farabi emphasized that the sciences have no meaning unless they can be
applied in practical reality.
 Al-Farabi considers it a duty of the State to put aside a budget for education
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

Al-Farabi also explained that instructional method must be appropriate to

the level of the learners.

For Al-Farabi, the sequence of learning must begin with the language and

its structure, i.e. its grammar, so that the student can express himself as

do the people who speak that language; without this ability, he will not be

able to understand others nor they him, and he will not develop properly.
ALLAMA MUHAMMAD IQBAL (1877-1938)

• Sir Muhammad Iqbal widely known as Allama Iqbal, was a

poet, philosopher, and politician, as well as an academic,
barrister, and scholar.
• He has inspired Pakistan Movement.
• He is called the "Spiritual father of Pakistan".
• He is considered one of the most important figures in Urdu
and Persian literature.
ALLAMA MUHAMMAD IQBAL
(1877-1938)
• His philosophy is recognized around the globe and is
being taught all over the world.
• Iqbal emphasized much on the education and educational
system.
• For Iqbal, education is the only way through which nations
can be successful.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

 For, Iqbal, individuality, and “Khudi” are the most important.

 Iqbal put emphasis on experimental method and encouraged to boldly explore new domains of

knowledge.

 Iqbal recommended that it is necessary for every educational system to determine its

philosophy in order to define clearly the type of human being which it aims at producing.

 Iqbal believed that education should cultivate among individuals the attitude of courage.

 According to Iqbal, various forces influence upon the development of a child such as natural and

cultural.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION
 Iqbal said that education should be creative and dynamic which would help to inculcate the creative spirit in

individuals and arouse interest in Muslims to conquer new realms of arts and science, knowledge, and

power.
 According to incorporating teaching morality, the school environment should provide situations and

opportunities where individuals would learn it through social life & experiences.
 According to Iqbal, the short-sighted approach of the teachers has damaged the very objective of education.

 Iqbal emphasized that one should know the principles of educating children and help them to discover their

potentialities, thus, formulating their education and training according to their aptitudes.
 Iqbal stresses incorporating technical education in the curriculum for the economic uplift of underdeveloped

societies.
 PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION

An ideal teacher has to reconstruct the very foundations of society.

Iqbal’s philosophy harmonizes an individual’s spiritual progress with his

accomplishment in the material sphere.

The objective of education is to achieve a dynamic personality with a strong sense

of ego-hood.
Without a teacher’s development, individuality cannot be promoted.

Iqbal’s educational philosophy combines knowledge, reason, sense perception,

and intuition in an integrated form.

 REFERENCES
•Mahmood, N. Et. Al (2017). Philosophy of Education. Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. AIOU-Printing
Press. Page 133-159 Philosophy of Education_Allama Iqbal Open Univ.pdf

•Imam al-Ghazali: A Biography and Introduction — Imam Ghazali Institute

•Ibn Khaldun | Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (oxcis.ac.uk)
•Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Miskawayh Razi (Muslim Psychologist) | somayyamasood (wordpress.com)
•Five Islamic Philosophers Every Muslim Should Read | musliminstitute.org
•Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) - History Pak