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Dignifying Islamic Education

By: Sapora Sipon (PhD)Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Malaysia is a nation that upholds Islam as the official religion. It therefore shouldplace Islamic education at its appropriate position. At present, the world is undergoing

rapid changes and growth. Therefore, it is significant to have a relevant and concrete

Islamic education to face and withstand the challenges of the modern world. Thismeasure is also very vital in the effort of returning, as well as, reviving Islamic excellence

and superiority in the midst of the modernization crisis.

Islam is always related to negative images, such as poverty, fanaticism, violenceand under-development or backwardness. It is high time the Muslims themselves returned

the brilliance of Islam and one of the best ways is through an excellent Islamic education.

In the effort of developing the Muslims towards civilization and progress, the main

elements that ought to be possessed are excellence and depth of knowledge. It is obvious

that human beings could not maintain their civilization and superiority when they are notwell-equipped with the culture of knowledge. This fact indicates that an excellent

education system is very significant and relevant in the forming and shaping of anoutstanding civilization.

In the pursuit for knowledge, Islam instructs its followers to seek for knowledge

so they can have the proper positions as leaders who represent Islam in this world. Islamtruly emphasizes the quest for knowledge, and this can be proven through the verses in

Al-Quran and the Prophets Hadiths. Through education people can be enhanced and they

in turn can spread the knowledge to the community. Knowledge can also enhance

peoples dignity in the view that a knowledgeable person possesses values and aims inlife. O ye who believe! When ye are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out

and) make room: (ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when ye are told to riseup, rise up Allah will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believeand who have been granted (mystic) Knowledge. And Allah is well- acquainted with all

ye do. (al-Quran 58.11)

The aspiration of Malaysia to become the epitome and centre of excellence in thefield of knowledge, in this region and also globally, is another principal reason that the

Islamic Education in our nation should be at a more excellent and outstanding level. A

first-rate Islamic education system could attract the interest of foreign students to furthertheir education in this nation, especially in the field of Islamic studies.

An effective education approach is very important in the effort of producing

students with idyllic attitude and discipline. The education curriculum should be

integrated with an effective teaching approach so it can truly produce ideal students.Hence, every party should play its own respective role in achieving a first-rate Islamic

education.

Education must go hand in hand with the process of instilling and nurturing noblevalues which should be practiced by every human being. A successful education is in

which it incorporates and assimilates many important aspects. The factors that should be

taken into account are in terms of technical, procedural, processing of values, cultural and

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philosophical aspects. When this assimilation does not occur, an intelligent student could

be produced by the system but he might lack certain cultural aspects.

An education system that only lays emphasis on the technical, procedural andprocessing aspects will bring about human beings who are not well-balanced in terms of

the spiritual and physical aspects. Knowledge in Islam encompasses whole knowledge

which brings benefits to people, whether they are syariat (ordinance of God) knowledgeor Islamic civilization management knowledge.

As a matter of fact, knowledge must be equally balanced; the principal aspects that

must be taken into account are civilization management knowledge and syariatknowledge. When both these aspects are on a par, human beings can live a well-balanced

and idyllic life. These people will be able to keep pace with the world growth, and yet

will not undergo spiritual decline. A relevant education will be able to avoid immoral

attributes which can destruct the development of the peoples well being.The current Islamic Education should be relevant where it is capable of exploring

and returning the idyllic Islamic knowledge tradition which can keep pace with the

present environment and technology. Islamic education should offer knowledge using the

current technology so that it could overcome current community and Islamic issues. As amatter of fact, the Islamic education should be able to enhance the excellence of

knowledge and produce human beings who could contribute to the society, the nation andthe world as a whole.

In the labour market context, the Islamic education should succeed in supplying

workforce that is enforced with strong Islamic values who can interact and communicate

effectively, in the community, as well as, in the workplace. For this purpose, Islamiceducation that is advocated should be capable of merging theory and practicability in the

human beings it produces.

In the effort of dignifying Islamic education, students or graduates produced by theIslamic education system should afford to practice the knowledge obtained in order to be

used for Allahs ways and for the purpose of offering services to the people. Besides,

Islamic studies graduates should be role models to others in line with the knowledge theygain and to manifest what they have learned. Although the knowledge is related for living

affairs yet it must not oppose to Islamic values and should merit the afterlife.

The accomplishment of institutions of higher education in this nation in dignifyingthe Islamic education system should be complimented. However, this effort must be

continued and intensified so as to resume the superiority and excellence of Islamic

education in this nation. Islam as a religion is complete in itself. It encompasses all

aspects of life, whether in the world or the life after. Islamic education which is broughtabout should be relevant and on the excellent and brilliant level so as to fulfill the

perfection of Islam itself.