Islamic education is one of the important foundations in building Islamic society, as it helps to develop the personality of the individual and develop it in a comprehensive manner that includes spiritual, cognitive, and moral aspects. It also relies on lofty Islamic concepts and values, represented by relying on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet and strengthening the Islamic identity.
In this article, we mention the importance of Islamic education and its foundations, as well as some tips and guidelines that can be followed in raising children in light of Islamic values and concepts. With clarification of the fields and methods of education in Islam.
The concept of Islamic education
There are several definitions of Islamic education, the most prominent of which are:
1- Islamic education is an educational process that aims to develop the Islamic individual by promoting Islamic values and principles in his daily life and promoting awareness of the Islamic heritage and its moral and social obligations.
2- Education in Islam is the educational process that aims to build the Islamic individual, promote and direct the values of Islam in line with the needs of society and the requirements of the times, and promote spirituality, good morals, and good Islamic morals.
3- Islamic education means promoting the values of faith, piety, good morals, and religious awareness, recognizing Islamic law and applying it in daily life, and promoting spirituality and psychological and social balance.
4- Islamic education is an educational process that aims to develop the personality of the Muslim, develop the values of faith, morals, and social and national responsibility, promote awareness of Islamic heritage, and identify the place of Islam in human civilization.
5- Education in Islam is the process that seeks to prepare the full Islamic personality, achieve integration between the spiritual, intellectual and practical aspects, and enable the individual to benefit from the teachings of Islam in his daily life and contribute to building society.
The importance of Islamic education
Islamic education is one of the main factors that greatly affect the life of the individual and society, as it is considered a basis for building the personality of the Muslim and shaping his values and principles, and directly affects his behavior and actions in life. Among the most important reasons for the importance of Islamic education, we can mention the following:
1- Promoting Islamic values
Islamic education helps to promote Islamic values in the individual, such as faith in Allah and His Messenger, honesty, honesty and sincerity, justice, compassion and mercy, tolerance and forgiveness, and other values that encourage goodness and virtue.
2- Developing religious awareness
Education in Islam is an important tool for developing religious awareness in the individual, as it introduces him to the concepts, origins, and teachings of Islam, and helps him understand the meanings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, may God bless him and his family and grant him peace, and enhances his religious affiliation and urges him to do good deeds and get closer to Allah.
3- Improving social behavior
Islamic education encourages the individual to cooperate and solidarity with others promotes the concept of social responsibility, urges him to respect others and appreciate their rights, and develops his ability to empathize, forgive and forgive, which helps to improve his social and interactive behavior with society.
4- Mind development and thinking
Islamic education is an important tool for the development of the mind and thinking of the individual, as it urges him to search and scrutinize information and legal rulings, develops his mental and intellectual abilities, and helps him reach the best solutions and options in his daily life.
5- Boost self-confidence
Islamic education helps to enhance the self-confidence of the individual, as it enhances his self-concept, self-pride, and self-responsibility, and urges him to work hard, persevere and challenge in his life, which helps to achieve success and excellence in various fields.
6- Improve life decisions
Islamic education is an important source of guidance and counseling in making life decisions, through which it teaches the individual the ability to evaluate things and choose the right and appropriate options in his life.
7- Strengthening family ties
Islamic education helps to strengthen family ties and consolidate the values of respect, appreciation, and affection among family members and promotes the concept of family responsibility and care for the family.
8- Achieving happiness and psychological satisfaction
Islamic education is an important source of happiness and psychological satisfaction for the individual, as it encourages him to do good deeds, perseverance, and challenges in his life, and helps him achieve the goals and ambitions he seeks.
9- Developing a relationship with Allah
Islamic education is an important source for the development of the relationship between the individual and his Lord, as it helps him to understand the names and attributes of Allah and his relationship with creation, and enhances his sense of closeness to Allah and responding to His commands and prohibitions.
You can also read about: Teaching Islamic Sharia Law
Objectives of Islamic Education
Islamic education has many objectives, and in this statement, we explain them in full:
1- Nodal objectives
These goals include teaching children to believe in Allah, angels, heavenly books, messengers, and the Last Day, and strengthening the relationship between the individual and his Lord through prayer, fasting, zakat, and pilgrimage while directing his work in line with his faith.
2- Moral goals
Education in Islam aims to develop good morals and good behaviors such as honesty, honesty, humility, charity, and brotherhood, and to promote basic Islamic values such as justice, compassion, tolerance, patience, and dedication.
3- Spiritual goals
Islamic education aims to develop the spirituality of the individual and strengthen the relationship between him and Allah, by teaching him remembrance, supplication, reflection on the verses of Allah and the hadiths of the Prophet, and enhancing the sense of faith, hope, and satisfaction with Allah’s decree and destiny.
4- Physical goals
Islamic education aims to develop a healthy body, teach children to take care of themselves and their physical health, and encourage them to practice sports and physical activities while adjusting motor activity by the quality of activity, as well as achieving a balance between halal and haram.
5- Social objectives
Islamic education aims to teach children the values of cooperation, solidarity, and mutual assistance, as well as to promote healthy social relations and teach children how to treat others well and treat them with kindness, love, and respect.
6- Mental goals
Education in Islam aims to develop the mental and intellectual abilities of the individual, teach him how to think critically, analytically, and creatively, and enhance the ability to learn, comprehend, remember, and apply.
It also aims to teach children the mental arguments of faith and the response to suspicions. The mind is the source of consciousness, and through it, man is held accountable for his actions, whoever does not judge his mind, has gone astray and deviated from instinct and the right approach.
Islamic Education Resources
Islamic education is one of the important foundations that must be taught to Muslim children and youth, and it relies on many religious sources, which include:
1- The Holy Quran
The Holy Quran is the main source of Islamic education, as it contains many Islamic stories, rulings, and values that children and young people can learn and be a source of inspiration and guidance for them. The Holy Quran is read periodically and taught to children from a young age, and its meanings are interpreted and explained in an understandable way to them.
2- Sunnah of the Prophet
The Sunnah of the Prophet is the second source of Islamic education, as it contains hadiths and the biography of the Prophet, which teach children and youth many Islamic values and morals that they can learn from the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Sunnah is periodically taught to children and young people and explained understandably to them.
3- Huda Sahaba and Tabi’een
This is done by studying and learning the biography of Sahaba and the Taabi’een, who are the people who lived in the time of the Prophet, and who worked with him and followed him in the paths of Islam and faith. This guidance is an important source of Islamic education, where it is possible to learn from the biography of these honorable people, their good morals and their Islamic values.
You can also read about: Human Rights in Islam
Fields of Islamic Education
These fields include:
1- Recitation of Quranic Verses
Allah says in Surah Al-Alaq, “Read in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the most generous.” [Al-Alaq: 1-3]
This indicates that Islamic education encourages reading and recitation of the Quran, and urges to learn its meanings, and to act upon its rulings and directives. It also strengthens the loyalty of Muslims to practice their religion, and to show it in both speech and action, while studying the miracles and history of humanity, cosmic laws and regulations, and scientific inventions.
2- Purification
Allah says in Surah Ash-Shams, “He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption].” [Ash-Shams: 9-10]
This indicates that Islamic education emphasizes purifying the self from evil and flaws, and encourages to care about ethics, manners, and good morals, while avoiding bad behaviors and evil deeds.
3- Teaching the Quran
Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah – Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” [Al-Baqarah: 2-3]
This indicates that Islamic education urges teaching the Quran and studying it, while emphasizing the importance of learning sciences and knowledge and benefiting from them in daily life, and acting upon what is mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah. When a person recites the Quran and reflects on its meanings, and purifies their soul with what is good for them, they become ready to receive instructions, legislation, and rulings, and act upon them.
Thus, it is clear that Islamic education focuses on developing the spiritual, cognitive, and moral aspects of the individual, while encouraging reading, recitation, and learning, and emphasizing ethics, manners, and good morals, and urging to act upon what is mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Islamic Education Methods
The methods used to achieve Islamic education include:
1- Good Example
Being a good example for students is one of the most important methods in Islamic education. This means that the teacher should behave in accordance with what they want to teach.
The Quran says, “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah often.” [Al-Ahzab: 21]. Therefore, the teacher must set a good example for the student in their behavior and dealings with others.
2- Rewards and Punishments
Rewards and punishments are effective methods in Islamic education. Rewards are given to children for good behavior, while punishments are given for inappropriate behavior. The Quran says, “So whoever wills may believe, and whoever wills may disbelieve. Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers a fire whose walls will surround them.
And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.” [Al-Kahf: 29]. This shows that Allah rewards people for their good deeds and punishes them for their bad deeds.
3- Dialogue
Dialogue is an important method in Islamic education. It involves listening to the child’s point of view and encouraging them to express their opinions. The Quran says, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” [An-Nahl: 125].
This indicates that Islamic education values constructive and beneficial dialogue and encourages listening to different opinions and exchanging ideas with respect and appreciation.
4- Theoretical Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge is the foundation of Islamic education. It includes the study of the Quran, the Sunnah, and Islamic sciences. It encourages research and verification of information and sources and discourages reliance on incorrect or misleading ideas.
The Quran says, “And say, “Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do.” [At-Tawbah: 105]. This indicates that Islamic education encourages research and verification of information and ideas and emphasizes knowledge and theoretical understanding.
You can also read about: Islamic Identity
Foundations of Islamic Education
The foundations of Islamic education are very important in developing the personality of the child and developing it comprehensively, including spiritual, cognitive, and ethical aspects. The foundations of Islamic education include the following:
1- Reliance on the Quran and Sunnah
The Quran and Sunnah are the fundamental sources of Islamic education. They contain great educational and ethical principles and cover all aspects of life. Therefore, reliance on the Quran and Sunnah is essential in raising children and developing their personalities.
2- Preserving Islamic Identity
Preserving Islamic identity is an important foundation in Islamic education. It represents the values and ethics that distinguish Islamic Sharia and preserves our identity and way of life. Therefore, children should be raised on Islamic identity and introduced to it.
3- Constructive Dialogue
Constructive dialogue is important in Islamic education because it helps develop communication skills, cooperation, and understanding between individuals. It also helps to develop the child’s personality and increase their self-confidence and helps to identify different opinions and ideas and build a strong Islamic community.
4- Comprehensive Education
Islamic education relies on the concept of comprehensive education, which includes various aspects to develop the child’s personality, such as the spiritual, moral, scientific, social, cultural, physical, and motor aspects. Therefore, it is important to focus on developing all of these aspects in the child.
5- Maintaining Family Relationships
Family relationships are essential in Islamic education because they help develop strong family ties, build trust between individuals, and reinforce Islamic values and ethics. Therefore, children should be raised in a healthy and stable family environment.
6- Focus on Positivity
Islamic education focuses on positivity and encourages good behavior, hard work, and achievement. It also reinforces the child’s self-confidence and abilities. Therefore, positive values such as patience, diligence, dedication, tolerance, forgiveness, gratitude, and moderation are promoted.
7- Volunteering in Charity Work
Charity and volunteering are important foundations in Islamic education. They help develop the human spirit, cooperation, and love among people, and reinforce Islamic values and ethics. Therefore, children should be taught the importance of charity and volunteering and encouraged to participate in them.
8- Reinforcing Justice and Fairness
Justice and fairness are important foundations in Islamic education because they help reinforce the concept of justice and fairness, and apply it in daily life. They also help achieve equality among people and promote mutual respect and tolerance. Therefore, children should be taught the importance of justice and fairness and encouraged to reinforce them in their behavior and actions.
You can also read about: Islamic Ethics
Islamic education primarily relies on the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. Therefore, Wahion Youha Academy is based on this foundation in teaching children and adults the principles and values of Islam. In this academy, we strive to provide educational and training courses and programs for memorizing the Holy Quran according to the rules of recitation and proper intonation. When you contact us, your journey to delve deeper into Quranic studies and sciences begins.