PARADIGMA ISLAM DALAM BIDANG KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN

Sari

A paradigm is a set of underlying beliefs or convictions that guide an individual’s actions or their perspective on themselves and their environment, influencing their thinking, attitudes and behaviour. The Islamic paradigm is a framework of thought derived from Islamic teachings, encompassing the Qur’an, the Hadith and the intellectual heritage of Islam (the ijtihad of the scholars), which views reality through the lens of tawhid—that is, everything is understood within the framework of the Oneness of Allah SWT (tawhid).

        Teachers in Islam hold a very noble and honourable position, described by various terms, each reflecting different dimensions and functions, namely: Mu’allim (instructor), Mudarris (a teacher at a madrasah), Murshid (spiritual guide), Murabbi (educator who nurtures and guides), Muaddib (shaper of manners/character) and Ustadz/Ustadzah (honorific titles for teachers). Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, stated that he would be a servant (slave) to anyone who taught him even a single letter; such is the great esteem in which Islam holds the services of a teacher. From an ontological perspective, Islamic education holds that the true reality is Allah, the Almighty, as the One and Only Creator, whilst the universe is Allah’s creation, subject to His laws (sunnatullah).

        Epistemologically, Islam possesses a unique and comprehensive perspective. Islam recognises three primary sources of knowledge: (1) Revelation (the Qur’an and Hadith); (2) Reason; and (3) the Senses (empirical evidence). From an axiological perspective, Islamic education is grounded in the universal values of Islam derived from the Qur’an and the Hadith, such as the values of faith (iman), piety (taqwa), justice (‘adl), honesty (sidq), wisdom (hikmah) and compassion (rahmah). The ultimate goal of Islamic education is the formation of the Insan Kamil (the perfect human being), that is, a person who successfully integrates their spiritual, rational and physical dimensions into a single, complete and harmonious whole.