Islamic Education in Book of Ta'limul Muta'allim

In the world of Islamic education, there are many figures who are concerned in the field of Education. One of them is Sheikh Imam Burhanuddin Az-Zarnuji. He is a Muslim scholar and intellectual who until now his work titled Ta'lim Muta'alim is still studied and used as a guide in the procedures and ethics of learning in Dayah (boarding school) in Aceh. Therefore, in this paper will be briefly discussed his thoughts about the issue of education.

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How is education according to Imam Az-Zarnuji in his work (Ta'limul Muta'allim)

He poured all his thoughts on education in detail and systematically in his work (ta'limul muta'allim), ranging from definition of science and its virtues, teaching and learning methodology, the concept of teachers, learners, and so forth. I will specifically describe his thoughts according to my analysis of the textual of ta'limul muata'allim.
In this post I try to explain what I know about his thinking. I am very inspired and motivated when I first study his work, from his words :

وبعد…فلما رأيت كثيرا من طلاب العلم فى زماننا يجدون إلى العلم ولايصلون [ومن منافعه وثمراته ـ وهى العمل به والنشر ـ يحرمون] لما أنهم أخطأوا طريقه وتركوا شرائطه، وكل من أخطأ الطريق ضل، ولاينال المقصود قل أو جل، فأردت وأحببت أن أبين لهم طريق التعلم على ما رأيت فى الكتب وسمعت من أساتيذى أولى العلم والحكم، رجاء الدعاء لى من الراغبين فيه، المخلصين، بالفوز والخلاص فى يوم الدين، بعد ما استخرت الله تعالى فيه،

"how many claimants of science, but they are hindered from two things, first, not practice science and second, not teaching knowledge to others, so from his statement, can understood that benefits of knowledge is to do for oneself and to teach others in need it.

What characteristics should have by students in the perspective of Imam Az-Zarnuji

According to Imam Az-Zarnuji, that a santri should have the following characteristics:

1. Love to science
2. Respect and obedience to the teacher
3. Unfortunately to the book which is the source of learning,
4. Mutual respect to fellow learners
5. Make the most of the time to learn
6. Consistent and persistent
7. To keep away from things that are haram (banned in religion) and syuhhat ((not clear the status of halal) according to religion
8. Have noble ideals, and
9. Tawakkal (surrender self) to Allah swt on the results of his effort in studying.

From the description above, it can be concluded that Imam Az-Zarnuji put more emphasis on morality of learners. In addition to the above matters, he also emphasized the importance of riyadhah (familiarize self) for learners by reducing eating, drinking, and sleeping in order to succeed in studying useful and bring blessings in the world and the hereafter.

Beside,the concept of riyadhah also teaches us that to achieve a success, both worldly and ukhrawi, requires a long struggle. Similarly when seeking knowledge, we must dare to fight and sacrifice our wealth, time, and energy.

Science and Methods Learning in the perspective of Imam Az-Zarnuji

In this, Az-Zarnuji classifies science into 4 groups, namely:

1. The science of tauhid (monotheism)
2. The science of Fiqh
3. Science of tools like nahwu sharaf
4. Spiritual science such as tawakkal, repentance, ridha, and others.
   to the four sciences or the lesson is a science that must be studied by santri.

Methods of learning in the perspective of Imam Az-Zarnuji

Imam Az-Zarnuji said that there area several methods which can be used in learning, such as repetition and memorization, recording and understanding, question and answer among learners, group discussions, and class discussions.

Conclusion

This is a brief description of Imam Az-zarnuji's thought of Islamic education. this description is only based on my understanding of the text of the book "ta'limul muta'allim which is his own work (Az-Zarnuji).
In general, it can be concluded that his model of thought is very strong among dayah (boarding school) in Aceh. In dayah educational institutions, especially in Aceh, santri (student) as educators are accustomed to always uphold the noble character, both in terms of ibadah (worship) and muamalah (social community), especially to Teungku (teacher).

Basic tauhid (monotheism), basic fiqh, nahu and sharaf basic become the field of early study of new santri in dayah. Basic monotheism usually discusses the that are obligatory for God, which is impossible for Allah swt, and jaiz (may) for Allah swt. and the Messenger of Allah or better known as i'tikad 50. while the basic nahwu knowledge of the basic rules in Arabic, and basic fiqh includes thaharah, prayer, and related to other worship to muamalah problem.

The method of repeating and memorizing is the main characteristic of dayah education in Aceh. Nahwu sharaf subjects that are generally in the form of poetry are usually told to memorize and then santri repeat his memorization in front of a teungku (teacher). Question and discussion methods also become routine santri every day to better understand the lessons that have been given by the teacher.

References:
https://salafytobat.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/terjemahan-kitab-talim-mutaallim-pelita-penuntut-ilmu/

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