The Foundation of Learning

Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic faith revealed to humanity through the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is the final messenger in a long line of prophets. It encompasses a comprehensive way of life, based on the Quran and the Sunnah (the practices of the Prophet Muhammad “peace be upon him”). The core belief of Islam centers around the Oneness of GOD (Allah), with Muslims dedicating their lives to the worship of Allah and following His commandments. Islam’s teachings guide every aspect of a believer’s life, from moral and ethical conduct to social and financial dealings, aiming to foster a balanced, just, and harmonious society.

Pedagogy is the methods and approaches used to convey knowledge and it is shaped by a worldview.   Pedagogy, as discussed by Shaykh Ramzy Ajem and Dr. Nadeem Memon in their manual for teachers, “Principles of Islamic Pedagogy”, highlights that conventional teaching methods may sometimes conflict with Islamic pedagogical principles when adopted by Muslim educators.An Islamic pedagogy or Islamic teaching methodology should therefore be rooted in Tawhid.  It should align with the goals, purposes, and ethics in Revelation, reflect an Islamic ethos, enhance the student’s intellect, faith, morals, character, and the practice of religious and worldly responsibilities.

Students often complain about how bored they are in class. As educators, it should not be dismissed lightly as boredom interferes with learning and may cause the child to disengage from the learning process. Boredom often stems from extremities in scheduling and subjects lacking relevance to one’s life.One of the principles of Islamic pedagogy is to nurture reflection, awe, and wonder while teaching. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, I was sent as a teacher“, and Abdullah ibn Mas’ud narrated that, “The Prophet ﷺ used to be selective in bestowing his teachings upon us out of fear that we would become bored.” [Imam Bukhari]. Imagine becoming bored with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ!Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani commented that, “it is recommended to break the continuity of intensity when it comes to acts of righteousness out of fear that it may lead to boredom”. The main source of boredom is lack of relevance, this is countered by reflection, and reflection is encouraged throughout the Qur’an (Ajem & Memon, 2011).