An Islamic consideration of western moral education: an exploration of the individual

Abstract

This paper offers a theoretical comparison of the concept of the individual presumed in modern Islamic educational theory and western moral educational theory, revealing a distinct Islamic point of view on the western educational premise that a moral universe is derived dialectically between individual and society. From an Islamic perspective, socially derived moral truths cannot supersede the moral ideal of nurturing and awakening a spiritual self into a unity of being. Muslim scholars fear that two inter‐related things are lost in western approaches: inwardly fostered personal discovery and timeless sacred principles. The modern Muslim educational approach presents possible talking points regarding how moral education is valued and understood differently and raises questions regarding the universal applicability of western moral education models. Western and Islamic perspectives are considered and areas of contention and commonality are explored. Scholars under consideration include Durkheim, Dewey, Kohlberg, Iqbal, Nasr, al‐Attas and Wan Daud.