An analysis on Ibnu Sina's educational views

• Main Authors: Sakinah, Salleh, Rahimah, Embong
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: B Philosophy (General); BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc; L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/853/1/FH03-INSPIRE-17-08993.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/853/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

Some crucial questions have been raised in recent decades about the true Islamic education: its aim, underlying philosophy and assumptions, value system and the most serious question is how to integrate the dualistic and contradictory systems of education in order to solve the problem of dualism or bifurcation faced by the Ummah in this present day. Some Muslim scholars suggest that the pre-requisite of being excellent in this world and the hereafter is to go back to al-Quran and al- Sunnah. Unfortunately, the views of the Islamic scholars on Islamic education have been neglected due to domination of western elements and modern ideas. Therefore, it is a great need for us to examine the previous Muslim philosophers’ views and contributions. According to Syed Hossein Nasr on these philosophers “the view of the Islamic philosophers concerning education is of great significance not only because of its innate value but also because it is a world-view associated with the philosophers that produce, over the ages, great men of learning and science”. For the purpose of discussing Muslim philosopher’s view of education, Ibn Sina’s concepts and ideas concerning education which were derived from some philosophical and epistemological domains has been analysed. Ibn Sina has been considered as the first Muslim philosopher who has treated the question of education in a significant approach and methodology. A comparative analysis of this philosopher with Western thinker such as Aristotle and John Dewey was also ensued. It is hoped that, this would explain Ibn Sina’s genuineness in developing knowledge in accordance with al-Quran and al- Sunnah and his contribution to the contemporary educational system.