Iqbal’s Philosophy on Islamic Education: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

Philosophy is science with the facts and data naturally relating to all aspects of human life coming into existence. As it throws light onto the problem of life and human destiny, it implies and postulates education. From these two aspects come their respective angles of vision, with similar issues and problems. Such are the meaning and purpose of human life, the relationship of the individual to the community and to his environment and the problem of values. Any coherent system of ideas, which provides guidance in facing these problems or offers a thoughtful criticism of existing institutions, culture, social practices and ways of thought, must necessarily be the basis of our educational theory and practice. In this regard, having strong conviction, the authors present Allama Muhammad Iqbal has contributed invaluable provision and solution on the problem of education. This paper intends to explore his idea on the Educational Philosophy which had been elaborated by Saiyidain. There is no doubt that Iqbal is the most versatile genius that modern Muslim world has produced. It will be difficult to find many who are his equals as educators, poets in any languages of the East or the West. He may not have built any great system of philosophy like Kant or Hegel, but his philosophical thinking was extensive as well as intensive. For, education is, after all, engaged in the process of critically evaluating and effectively transmitting the cultural heritage, knowledge and ideas of a social group to its young members, thereby securing the continuity of collective life and culture as well as ensuring their intelligent, the creative reconstruction.