M I N D A N A O S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

S C H O O L O F G R A D U AT E S T U D I E S
Educ 213 Muslim Education

Quality and Features of Education

in the Muslim World

Ruffa Mae A. Maban

Discussant
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

 OBJECTIVES

By the end of the session, we will be able to:

• Discover how education quality is ensured in Muslim-majority areas,
considering diverse cultures and schooling methods.

• Study how Islamic values are incorporated into education across Muslim-
majority regions and their influence on overall student development and
academic success.

• Assess the impact of educational policies in Muslim-majority regions, aiming

to improve education quality, inclusivity, innovation, and global
competitiveness.
 Islamic Islamic Misperceptions
Education Scholars
 Islamic education is a system of
instruction that encompasses the teachings,
principles, and practices of Islam to impart
knowledge and foster spiritual growth
among believers.
Islamic
Education
 Islamic scholars are individuals who
possess extensive knowledge of Islamic
teachings, jurisprudence, history, and
theology, often playing roles as educators,
interpreters, and advisors within Muslim
communities.

Islamic
Scholars
 Misperceptions refer to incorrect or
flawed interpretations of information or
situations, often leading to
misunderstandings or inaccurate beliefs.

Misperceptions
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

What Is Islamic Education?

character development “religious
“TARBIYA” education”

with stress on the

Quran and other
basic Islamic
teachings and values.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Political-Historical Review and Socio-Cultural Implications

During the late 18th and 19th centuries when
Western colonization impacted Muslim societies. The
encounter with Westernization led to a reevaluation of
education's significance among Muslim communities,
who faced the challenge of Western military and
economic dominance.
This period marked a struggle for modernization
against perceptions of Muslim "backwardness," with
intellectuals grappling with the clash between traditional,
religious, and modern values.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

Some schools focus mainly on Egypt

teaching basic Islamic subjects like Arabic
Indonesia
and the Quran. Others mix Islamic
teachings with general education, and
some follow government guidelines for a
balance of religious and non-religious Turkey
Pakistan
studies.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

In Indonesia, Islamic schools called

Pesantrens teach both religious and
secular subjects within an Islamic context, Indonesia
while other schools blend Islamic
teachings with subjects like math, science,
and literature to offer a balanced
education infused with Islamic values.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

In some Islamic schools, the primary

emphasis is on teaching fundamental subjects
such as Arabic language and Quranic
studies, with a focus on religious instruction.
For example, traditional madrasas in
Pakistan primarily teach Islamic subjects
like Arabic grammar, Quranic recitation, and
Pakistan
Islamic jurisprudence.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

In Turkey, some public schools

offer optional Islamic education
alongside regular subjects, letting
students decide how much they want to
learn about religion alongside their Turkey
other studies.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

Private schools offering top-notch

general education alongside strong Islamic
teachings. These schools, though costly, are
becoming popular among middle and
upper-class families who want both
religious and worldly education for their
kids.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Islamic Educational Systems

In numerous Muslim countries, schools

give precedence to secular subjects such as
math and science despite mandatory religious
education. Public schools in Jordan, Egypt,
and Malaysia showcase this approach by
emphasizing secular topics and allocating less
time to religious studies.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

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
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• Quranic Interpretation (Tafsir):
This subject covers analyses of traditional Quran
interpretations by early scholars like Ibn Kathir, El-
Tabari, and Ibn Taymiyya. It may also involve modern
scholars like Sayed Qutb and Mawdudi in certain
educational settings.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

For example, Ibn Kathir's Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim is renowned for its
comprehensive approach, drawing from various sources including hadiths,
linguistic analysis, and the interpretations of earlier scholars.

El-Tabari's Tafsir al-Tabari is one of the oldest and most influential

classical commentaries on the Quran, providing valuable insights into the
historical context of revelation and the opinions of early Muslims.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

Ibn Taymiyya's Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim offers a distinctive

perspective, emphasizing the importance of linguistic analysis and
rejecting interpretations that contradict established Islamic principles.

In recent times, scholars like Sayed Qutb and Mawdudi have

contributed to Quranic interpretation. Sayed Qutb's "Tafsir fi Zilal al-
Qur'an" offers a modern perspective on the Quran's relevance to
challenges in Muslim societies. Mawdudi's "Tafhim al-Qur'an" provides
a comprehensive commentary emphasizing its applicability to
contemporary issues and social justice from an Islamic revivalist
standpoint.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• Prophet’s Sayings and Practices (Hadith):
This subject explores how we validate the authenticity
of stories and statements about Prophet Mohammed. It
involves examining collections made by earlier
scholars like Bukhari and Muslim to ensure accuracy.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh):
This topic covers the methods employed by scholars, particularly
those from the main Sunni Islamic schools of jurisprudence (Shaf’i,
Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali), and their interpretations on various topics
like prayer, marriage, divorce, charity, and jihad. Additionally, it
includes the core beliefs of Islam known as 'Aqaid, which encompass
concepts such as the oneness of God, the existence of angels and Satan,
the Day of Judgment, paradise, and hell.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• 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.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• 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.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Components of Islamic Education Curriculum

• Islamic Manners and Values:
This subject focuses on teaching children about the proper
Islamic manners that were emphasized and practiced during the
early period of Islam, which is often seen as a golden age by many
Islamic scholars. It is integrated into the curriculum of educational
institutions, where alongside general education, students are taught
about Islamic values and manners.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic

Education

Despite ongoing tensions between the Islamic and Western worlds,

many Muslims have embraced Western modernity without much
questioning. Since gaining independence from direct colonial rule
after World War II, discussions on education in the Muslim world
have largely focused on empowering themselves within the modern
global system.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic

Education

Islam has established its own system of norms and allegiances, and
allegiance to the norms of Islamic thought and action provides the
basis for a workable social, political, and economic system.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

A Test of Faith Classifying and

Prioritizing Knowledge
Building Upon Islamic
Knowledge

Avoiding
Conflicts of Interest Separating Knowledge and Wealth
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

A Test of Faith Classifying and

Prioritizing Knowledge
Building Upon Islamic
Knowledge

Avoiding
Conflicts of Interest Separating Knowledge and Wealth
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• A Test of Faith
In Islamic belief, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is seen as
restoring the original monotheistic faith that humanity strayed from over time due to worldly
influences and human forgetfulness.
The Qur'an challenges those who hold onto corrupted versions of this original faith and
question the truth of Muhammad's message. It emphasizes that the renewed message is from
God and urges people not to dispute it. The verse (Aal `Imran 3:61) suggests a test of faith,
inviting opponents to prayer for clarification. However, many refused to engage in this
challenge and instead continued to develop their own value systems.
This led to the dominance of Western norms today, which are viewed as corrupted by
Islamic standards. Muslims and others are now pressured to conform to these norms, despite
their divergence from Islamic principles.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• A Test of Faith

[This is the truth from your Lord, so be not of the disputers. But
whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to
you of knowledge, then say, “Come let us call our sons and
your sons and our women and your women and our near people
and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray
for the curse of Allah on the liars.”] (Aal `Imran 3:61)
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Acting within Islamic norms amidst Western influence creates
conflicts, as Muslims prioritize divine knowledge over worldly desires.
Expressing allegiance to Islamic values can be tough when they clash
with Western norms, which often try to diminish non-conforming
beliefs. Education is vital in managing these conflicts, as it fosters
personal growth and validation within differing belief systems,
impacting both individual transformation and institutional prestige.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Cross-cultural education can inadvertently prioritize Western norms
over one's own cultural heritage. Education for Muslims involves
embodying Islamic values, impacting local and global Muslim communities
as well as humanity. Adopting a particular educational system can shape
future generations and influence various aspects of life, while blindly
importing Western education risks cultural dissonance and perpetuates
colonial dominance. Therefore, Muslims, like other post-colonial societies,
should carefully consider their educational choices to avoid complicity in
colonialism.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Classifying and Prioritizing Knowledge

The Islamic tradition emphasizes seeking knowledge, as Prophet

Muhammad's hadith encourages continuous learning. However, modern
challenges, particularly in the Western world's "information age," make
meaningful knowledge acquisition difficult, as the emphasis on
commodified information blurs the distinction between knowledge and
data, overwhelming seekers with numerous sources.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Classifying and Prioritizing Knowledge

Discernment is vital when navigating the abundance of resources for
knowledge acquisition, especially considering time and financial constraints.
In the Islamic tradition, the term "ilm" encompasses both knowledge and
science, questioning the difference between knowledge and information in
hadiths. Prioritizing significant and relevant knowledge, as emphasized
in a pivotal hadith, is crucial for Muslims, highlighting the need to
categorize and prioritize their pursuit of knowledge within the finite
constraints of life and time.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Classifying and Prioritizing Knowledge

Historically, Muslim scholars emphasized sorting and prioritizing
knowledge, but this tradition waned during modernity and colonialism,
allowing Western dominance in defining valuable knowledge. Today, Islamic
education must reclaim its tradition of discernment and prioritization to
resist Western-centric educational paradigms and maintain relevance. This
means distinguishing between meaningful knowledge and mere information
and prioritizing the acquisition of significant insights to stay autonomous
and pertinent globally.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Separating Knowledge and Wealth

Many modern Muslims, who hold sway in their communities, have

embraced the Western worldview that equates knowledge with wealth,
prioritizing utilitarian and economic perspectives. However, the Islamic
tradition offers a different perspective on the relationship between
knowledge and wealth. A saying attributed to Prophet Muhammad suggests
that both the pursuit of knowledge and material wealth can lead to insatiable
greed, but the former leads to divine satisfaction while the latter can breed
tyranny.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Separating Knowledge and Wealth

Historical instances in early Islamic history, particularly during
the reign of Imam Ali, illustrate the tension between knowledge and
wealth. Imam Ali, recognized for his wisdom, faced the challenge of
dynastic rule where material wealth tempted Muslims away from the
pursuit of knowledge as defined by the Prophet. His teachings
underscored the superiority of knowledge over wealth, emphasizing its
divine heritage, regenerative nature, and protective qualities.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Separating Knowledge and Wealth

The Islamic tradition emphasizes separating knowledge from

wealth. Given concerns about Western systems' inequality and
environmental harm, Muslims and non-Western societies should seek
alternative paths based on their traditions. By reflecting on Islamic
teachings about knowledge, power, and wealth, there's potential for a
transformative vision that addresses current issues while remaining
faithful to fundamental values.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Building Upon Islamic Knowledge

While the Western system may produce individuals proficient in their
fields, it often falls short in nurturing emotional richness and moral integrity. In
contrast, Islamic education prioritizes humility, truthfulness, understanding,
compassion, and piety as essential qualities of knowledge seekers.

Imam Ali's teachings offer profound insights into the attributes of a

knowledgeable person, emphasizing qualities such as humility, truthfulness, and
compassion. Conversely, pursuing worldly desires without regard for moral values
results in undesirable outcomes, as outlined by Imam Ali's teachings.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

4. General Challenges Facing Islamic Education

• Building Upon Islamic Knowledge

In Islamic education, neglecting ethical values and true

knowledge seeking is seen as a problem. This is especially challenging
for Muslims in Western societies, where academic success sometimes
ignores important Islamic principles like piety, ethics, humility, and
responsibility. True Islamic education stresses both academic
achievement and moral growth to ensure a balanced pursuit of
knowledge.
Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World

Reference:

Shah, S. F., Ghazi, S. R., Din, M. U., Shahzad, S., & Ullah, I. (2015,
April). Quality and Features of Education in the Muslim World.
Universal Journal of Educational Research, 3(4), 243–257.
https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2015.030401
"Seeking knowledge is
obligatory upon every
Muslim."
- Prophet Muhammad