The Instruction of the Book (Ta‘līm al-Kitāb) in the Qur’ān and its Relationship with the Ethical Function of the Educational System

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Civilization and World Studies, Go. C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Theology, Faculty of Civilization and World Studies, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Theology, Faculty of Civilization and World Studies, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

Abstract

In several verses of the Qur'ān, teaching ‛al-Kitāb & al-Ḥikma’ is presented as a significant service provided by various prophets to human societies. In some instances, a syntagmatic relationship is established between the teaching of al-Kitāb & al-Ḥikma and the moral objectives of the prophets, such as the purification of souls. Muslim commentators have often interpreted these verses to mean that teaching al-Kitāb refers to educating the content of the heavenly book, i.e., the Qur'ān, and its connection to moral development is due to the abundance of moral teachings within. This study reassesses this understanding by examining evidence from ancient societies and Qur'ānic verses to propose a new hypothesis: the primary function of teaching al-Kitāb in ancient societies was to establish educational institutions. The crucial link between educational institutions and moral development led the Qur'ān to emphasize the necessity of teaching al-Kitāb. From this perspective, the Qur'ān places special importance on establishing educational institutions for moral insight. This includes institutional education itself, temporarily stepping away from daily work to acquire knowledge, and the profound impact this education has on moral insights. The study reviews the transformation in the educational system of Arab society with the advent of Islam and argues that the Qur'ān, by emphasizing the education of al-Kitāb as a significant goal of the Prophet Muḥammad's mission, supported both institutional and non-institutional education systems, recognizing the necessity of both for moral growth.

Keywords

Main Subjects

The Holy Qurʾān.
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