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Literacy in Islam (part 1 of 3): Books in Baghdad
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Description: Even war and occupation cannot erase Baghdad’s legacy of literacy.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2009 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 26 Oct 2009 - Last modified on 28 Oct 2010
Viewed: 5884 (daily average: 7) - Rating: 4.5 out of 5 - Rated by: 8
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Category: Articles
> Islamic History
> In Brief
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_001.jpg) Baghdad was hit by a series of explosions. The city
raked by violence. Baghdad equals chaos, death, and destruction. Baghdad is a city screaming in pain and dying in the smokescreen. As we watch the tangled
mess on our television screens, it is hard to imagine that Baghdad was once a
great seat of learning. Baghdad and books have been synonymous for hundreds of
years. Bookshelves line family homes and booksellers line the streets of Baghdad. Even now, amidst the rubble and pandemonium the residents of Baghdad shop for
books. “It is an old disease in Iraq – people spend their money on books, not on
food,” jokes an Iraqi translator for NBC News.
In the period, that western history has come to call the
Dark Ages, the love affair between Baghdad and books began. In a time when
churches across Europe felt themselves fortunate to have a library consisting
of several books, there was a street in Baghdad lined with more then 100 shops,
each selling books, stationary, or both. Across the western world, literacy
was restricted to the rich or religious authorities, but in Baghdad, the people
had access to more then 30 libraries.
Within 200 years after the death of Prophet Muhammad,
the small Islamic nation grew into an Empire that stretched from North Africa
to Arabia, from Persia to Uzbekistan and pushed onwards to the frontiers of India and beyond. Around 750CE Baghdad, the city built on the banks of the Tigris River was established as the capital of the Islamic empire. Its location connected
it to countries as far away as China, and Baghdad soon became not only the
political and administrative centre but also the hub of culture and learning.
Men and women from all parts of the Empire flocked to Baghdad and brought with them knowledge from the far corners of the known world.
Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Zoroastrians, and
even people from other more obscure faiths lived in Baghdad. Books began to
symbolise life of Baghdad. The streets were alive with authors, translators,
scribes, illuminators, librarians, binders, collectors, and sellers. However,
these people from such diverse backgrounds need to be connected. Arabic
developed as the language of scholarship and the connection was established.
The works of Plato, Aristotle, Ptolemy, and Plutarch
among many others were translated into Arabic. Jewish philosophers used Arabic
translations of Greek philosophical works to write their own treatise and
essays. When Europe began to emerge from the Dark Ages into a period of enlightenment,
they relied on books written in Arabic to redeem and reclaim the foundations of
the Western empire.
Many of the original books translated in Baghdad were lost or destroyed in their home countries, and remained only in their Arabic
translations. The scholars of Baghdad were responsible for preserving
classical works from the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians and even translated
classics from Persia, India and China. These great works were then translated
from Arabic back into languages such as Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, and Latin. Catholic
theologian, Thomas Aquinas made his famous integration of faith and reason
after reading Aristotle’s philosophy in a translation by Baghdad scholars.
The scholars of Baghdad not only collected and synthesised
the great works, they added to the body of knowledge. They opened up new
fields of scholarship, such as celestial mechanics, and introduced the world to
algebra and geometry. A Baghdad scholar produced an ophthalmology
textbook, believed the world’s first medical book containing anatomical
drawings. It was the definitive work in both the east and west, and was used
for more than eight centuries.
As Baghdad transformed itself into a centre of learning Caliph,
Harun Al Rashid, and his son, al-Mamoon, opened one of history’s most renowned
think tanks, Bayt al Hikmah, or the House of Wisdom. The scholars at
the House of Wisdom, unlike their modern counterparts, did not "specialize.”
Al-Razi was a philosopher and a mathematician as well as a physician, and
al-Kindi, wrote on logic, philosophy, geometry, calculation, arithmetic, music,
and astronomy. Among his works were such titles as The Reason Why Rain Rarely
Falls in Certain Places, The Cause of Vertigo, and Crossbreeding the Dove.
The historian al-Maqrizi described the opening of the
House of Wisdom in 1004 CE. “The students took up their residence. The books
were brought from [many other] libraries ... and the public was admitted. Whosoever
wanted was at liberty to copy any book he wished to copy, or whoever required
to read a certain book found in the library could do so. Scholars studied the
Quran, astronomy, grammar, lexicography and medicine. The building was, moreover,
adorned by carpets and all doors and corridors had curtains, and managers,
servants, porters, and other menials were appointed to maintain the
establishment.”
Books have always played a role in the life of Baghdad. In 11th century CE Baghdad , a manuscript “... was about the size of
the modern book, containing good quality paper with writing on both sides, and
bound in leather covers”. An average bookshop contained several hundred titles
including the Quran and commentaries on the Quran, languages and calligraphy,
Christian and Jewish scriptures, histories, government works, court accounts,
pre-Islamic and Islamic poetry, works by various schools of Muslim thought,
biographies, astronomy, Greek and Islamic medicine, literature, popular
fiction, and travel guides (to India, China, Indochina).
Today, as the bombs explode around them and their world
falls into an abyss, the people of Baghdad hold on to their literary heritage.
Amongst the rubble, the booksellers ply their trade and the citizens of Baghdad make choices between reading and eating. This however is not surprising for Islam
has a long tradition of literacy. The first word of Quran revealed to Prophet
Muhammad was iqra – read, learn, and understand In part two we will go
on a journey of discovery to see what the Quran and the authentic traditions of
Prophet Muhammad say about literacy and seeking knowledge.
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Literacy in Islam (part 2 of 3): Seeking Knowledge
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Description: The first revealed word of the Quran began a legacy of literacy and education for all.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2009 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 02 Nov 2009 - Last modified on 23 Mar 2010
Viewed: 6155 (daily average: 7) - Rating: 4.7 out of 5 - Rated by: 10
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Category: Articles
> Islamic History
> In Brief
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 Islam is a
religion that is concerned with literacy. When the Quran was revealed the
first word was iqra – read, learn, understand. In a cave, outside Mecca, the angel Gabriel squeezed Prophet Muhammad’s chest and demanded that he read. Unable
to read or write the Prophet replied, “I cannot read”.
“Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all
that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated
blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught by the
pen, He has taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5)
Prophet Muhammad never learned to read or write but he
did understand the importance of literacy. Although the majority of Arabs at
the time were illiterate, they possessed a powerful and eloquent love of words.
Arabs were masters of the spoken word – poetry, story telling, and memorising
genealogies. Encouraging literacy was a natural progression.
Muslims believe that the words of the Quran are the
literal words of God, and preserving them was always of paramount concern. From
the earliest days of Islam, the Prophet’s companions began to write down the
words of the Quran. They were written on bark, bone, animal skins, and even
stones. This ushered in a new era of literacy.
Many of the first Muslims were poor, without position or
prestige in Meccan society, or were slaves. Islam offered them a chance of
equality and respect. Prophet Muhammad wisely understood that his new nation
would have a better chance of surviving, and thriving, if its followers were
literate and well educated.
After the battle of Badr, the first battle
against the Meccan oppressors, the fledgling Muslim army took seventy prisoners.
Prophet Muhammad knew that most of the prisoners were literate and he offered
freedom to those who taught ten Muslims to read and write.
The new Muslims began to understand the importance of
implementing Quran’s guidance into their lives. Then, just as now, literacy allowed
the believers to look at the world around them and contemplate the wonders of
creation, and the magnificence of The Creator. The believers read Quran to be
come closer to God. They seek knowledge in order to strengthen their faith. They
implement that knowledge in order to worship God, with true submission and
certainty.
“And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it
(this Quran) is the truth from your Lord, so that they may believe therein, and
their hearts may submit to it with humility. And verily, God is the Guide of
those who believe, to the Straight Path.” (Quran 22:54)
In his traditions that were painstakingly recoded by
Muslim scholars, Prophet Muhammad encouraged his followers to seek knowledge. He said that if
someone followed a path in pursuit of knowledge, God would make his path to Paradise
easy. He also said that
knowledge was one of three good deeds that continued even after death.
Human beings have minds and intellect. We also have the
power of reasoning and the free will to accept or reject knowledge. God
created human beings with the tools for acquiring knowledge. He taught the
father of humankind, Adam, the names of everything. Adam was taught language
skills, and how to apply knowledge, make plans and decisions, and achieve
goals. We, the children of Adam, have inherited these skills in order
that we can exist in the world and worship God in the best manner.
“He taught Adam all the names of everything.” (Quran
2:31)
“And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts, that you might
give thanks (to God).” (Quran 16:78)
The pursuit of knowledge is important in Islam. Prophet
Muhammad encouraged his followers to attend learning classes, and he sent
teachers of Quran to the outlying tribes and far away cities. He sat with his
followers and taught them the principles of Islam, and he listened attentively,
often with tears running down his face, to their recitation of Quran. Prophet
Muhammad said the best of his followers were those who learnt the Quran and
then taught it to others.
The first Muslims established schools for teaching and
learning Quran and Islamic sciences. Islam was practiced secretly for fear of persecution,
however a school was established in the house of a man by the name of Akram.
Even now in the 21st century, across the Islamic world, students
attend schools named Darul Akram (The house of Akram) in memory and recognition
of the first Islamic school.
Islam holds knowledge, education, literacy, and
intellectual pursuits in high regard. Throughout Islamic history, there are
countless instances of the establishment of schools and universities, and
libraries and think tanks. Muslims established theories of education, wrote
curriculums, pursued literature and art, and took the concept of seeking
knowledge to new heights. In part three we will look at theories of education
and the establishment of schools and centres of learning.
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Literacy in Islam (part 3 of 3): Education for all
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Description: Education in early Islamic history.
By Aisha Stacey (© 2009 IslamReligion.com)
Published on 09 Nov 2009 - Last modified on 23 Mar 2010
Viewed: 5177 (daily average: 6) - Rating: 4.9 out of 5 - Rated by: 9
Printed: 253 - Emailed: 1 - Commented on: 0
Category: Articles
> Islamic History
> In Brief
|
|
“Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all
that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated
blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught by the
pen, He has taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5)
_001.jpg) The first word of Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad, may
God praise him, was read. Read in the name of your Lord. God
asks the believers to read, seek knowledge, contemplate the universe and its
wonders, and give thanks. Consequently, from day one Islam has encouraged
literacy and education. Throughout Quran, God repeatedly emphasises the
importance of education.
“God will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those
who have been granted knowledge.” (Quran 58:11)
“And be not in haste (O Muhammad) with the Quran before its
revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Quran
20:114)
From its inception, Islam has encouraged learning. It fosters
scientific inquiry; open learning circles; the use of community resources; peer
review; problem solving approaches; story telling and free education. The
importance of learning is highlighted by the fact that Prophet Muhammad established
education as an integral part of Islam.
Prophet Muhammad established the first Knowledge
Sessions at Dar’ul Arqam.
He would sit in the mosque after prayers, his companions gathered around him,
teaching them about the foundations of Islam, the importance of morality and
most importantly the Oneness of God. Prophet Muhammad taught the students in
his knowledge sessions verses of Quran and he sent Quran teachers to
communities outside Mecca and Medina.
Memorising and understanding the Quran was, and still is
the most important subject in Islamic education, followed by learning and
memorising the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. These traditions are transmitted
via a chain of narration that guarantees their authenticity, in much the same
way that reference lists and bibliographies are used today to guarantee honesty
in scholarship.
The teachers closely followed the traditions of Prophet
Muhammad, may God praise him. They sat on the ground with their pupils seated
in a semi circle in front of them. Beside the teacher would be his most
trusted and learned student, transcribing all that was said. Education in
Islam grew rapidly from small learning circles to schools attached to mosques.
Within a short time, larger schools and universities began to spring up all
over the Islamic Caliphate.
As the Caliphate expanded, the Prophet’s method of
teaching spread. Gathering and transmitting Quran and Islamic knowledge was
considered a praiseworthy occupation. Kuttabs (learned men) and mu’allams
(teachers) were found in every Islamic city and village. Ibn Hawqal on his
visit to Sicily claimed to have counted about 300 elementary teachers. Jubayr
b. Hayya, who was later to be an official and governor in the early Islamic Caliphate
was a teacher in a school in Taif. Islamic personalities such as al-Hadjadd
and the poet’s al-Kumayt and al-Tirimmah are said to have been schoolmasters.
The most renowned and well-respected scholars considered
it an honour to teach. Ibn Muzahim (d. 723CE ) exegist, traditionist and
grammarian, is said to have had a school in Kufa attended by more than
3000 children. In order to supervise all his pupils he rode up and down
between the rows of children on a mule.
Other subjects began to be added to Islamic education. There
were classes in Islamic manners, Islamic law and jurisprudence, mathematics,
grammar and medicine, agriculture, ethics, civics, economics, and history. The
teachers, their assistants and their students all took education very seriously.
The method of one teacher is described in the following passage.
“He went several times over the passage from the law
book; revised it with the students after they had committed it to memory;
called attention to the divergent rulings of Imams Malik and Abu Hanifa in
particular, and sometimes of others and to the reservations of the text. He
then quoted the proof texts, then he set forth analogous cases in very clear
language, repeating them in different words till they sank into the students
minds.”
The mosques and schools were generally charitable
foundations. Literacy and education was encouraged so vigorously that no pupil
was turned away. Lack of money did not mean lack of education. Remarkable
similarities exist between procedures established in early Islamic institutions
and educational facilities today. There were prizes for proficiency, poetry,
and oratory contests; examinations were conducted, and degrees granted.
A famous educator was Ibn Sina (known in the west
as Avicenna) who was a thinker, doctor, and teacher. In the 10th
century CE, he wrote medical textbooks that were used as primary medical
references for more than 800 years. Ibn Sina developed curriculums and
theories of education able to stand the tests of time.
He emphasized the need for children to learn the Quran,
poetry, devoutness and ethics. But he also did not ignore a child’s need for
play, movement, and diversion.
He thought the overall aim of education was the physical, spiritual, and moral
growth of each individual. He thought of education as a way of preparing
children to make a lasting contribution to their society.
Although unlettered, Prophet Muhammad, may God praise
him, understood the importance of literacy and education. He inspired his
followers to seek knowledge and pass that knowledge on to others. He taught
the importance of memorising Quran and acting upon the knowledge it conveys. He
encouraged his followers to look for the signs of God’s magnificence in the
world around them. To love God one has to know Him, Knowing Him comes by
understanding the splendour of the world He created. Knowledge is the key to
loving our Creator and worshipping Him in the best way.
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