The foundation of modern education is much higher for the intellectual contribution of Muslim scholars from the medieval Islamic world, yet their influence is often ignored in mainstream discussions. During the Islamic Golden Edge (8th -14th century), Muslim thinkers preserved, extended and sent in various subjects to mathematics, astronomy and social sciences. He established leading educational institutions such as Madrasas and Libraries, which served as the center of learning and innovation before the European University system. In addition to translating and preserving the writing of Greek, Roman and Persian intellectuals, these scholars also established novel ideas and methods of operation that eventually became essential for Western education. Islamic educational traditions are greatly influenced by ideas such as structured classes, scientific methods, colleagues and even student-teacher relations. Despite his huge contribution, many of these scholars have suffered, and modern textbooks are hardly mentioned.
The purpose of this article is to illuminate some lesser-known Muslim philosophers, who have deeply influenced contemporary education by emphasizing the past and present as well as the universality of knowledge.
1. Al-Farabi (872–950) – The Philosopher of Education
Abu Nasar Muhammad al-Farabi was a famous philosopher, scientist and teacher who is often referred to as a “Second Teacher” after Aristotle. In the Islamic world of the Middle Ages, it was important in creating the concept of education. He was born in modern-day Kazakhstan, widely traveled throughout the Islamic Empire, studied in Baghdad, and became an expert in many disciplines, such as music, metaphysics and logic. His extensive knowledge of Greek philosophy especially in the form of Aristotle and Plato, created him to create a broad educational structure, which laid a strong emphasis on moral development and logical investigation. According to him, education is a way to develop moral individuals that can carry forward society. Both Islamic and Western educational traditions were permanently influenced by their ideas to classify knowledge and organize instructions.
Contributions to Education:
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- Developed the concept of a virtuous society where knowledge was important for governance and moral upbringing.
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- A hierarchical structure of learning was advocated, where education progressed from basic to advanced levels, like modern educational grading systems.
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- Emphasized the role of music and art in cognitive development, later a concept adopted by Western education.
His most famous book, “Al-Madina Al-Fadila” (The Book of the Virtuous City), made a case that only an ideal society can be established through proper education. Later, the classification of his knowledge had an impact on the European academics, such as the Italian priest Thomas Aquinas.
2. Ibn-e-Sina (980–1037) – The Medical Educator
Known as “Avicenna” in the West, Ibn-e-Sina was a Persian Polymath, which contributed to groundbreaking to medical, philosophy, psychology and education. Born in the current Uzbekistan, he demonstrated extraordinary intelligence from an early age, mastered the Quran and many sciences. By the age of 18, he had already recognized as a physician, treating diseases that surprised his contemporaries. His extensive writing, especially “Al-Shifa” (The Book of Healing) and “Al-Qanun Fi al-Tibb” (The Canon of Medicine) became a fundamental text in Islamic and European medicine. Their influence on medical education remained for centuries, which affects the curriculum in important Middle Eastern and European universities.
Contributions to Education:
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- Advocated a holistic approach for education including physical, mental and moral training.
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- Developed early cognitive psychology, classified the intelligence into various types, which affected modern IQ studies.
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- Emphasized the importance of experienced learning, which later became central for modern medical education.
For centuries, “The Canon of Medicine” served as a standard textbook in European medical schools, which affects modern medical education.
3. Al-Ghazali (1058–1111) – The Integration of Science and Faith
Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Tusi Al-Ghazali was one of the most influential scholars of Islamic views, philosophy and education. By combining the cause and belief, he helped combat the growing doubts of his era. His intellectual visit took him to a period of self-exile, during which he reflected in depth for the purpose of knowledge and education. The purpose of Al-Ghazali’s works is to harmonize religious sciences with rational investigation, emphasizing that true education should nurture both intelligence and soul. His contribution to education laid the foundation of the Islamic world and many beyond educational models.
Contributions to Education:
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- “Ihya Uloom Al-Din” (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) wrote, which emphasized moral values and moral training as an integral part of education.
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- Developed a framework to integrate modern and religious education, even today an approach seen in many Islamic schools.
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- Rot remembered criticism and emphasized active learning and important thinking.
Al-Ghazali’s educational ideas impressed scholars such as Roger Bacon the English philosopher and scientist, who played an essential role in developing the European University system.
4. Ibn-e-Khaldun (1332–1406) – The Father of Sociology and Historical Education
Abu Zayd Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad Ibn-e-Khaldun was a North African historian, philosopher and scholars widely considered as the father of modern sociology, historians and economics. Born in Tunisia, he saw political turmoil and served in various government roles, which shaped his views on society and education. His Magnum Opus, “Muqaddimah” introduced a systematic study of history and human civilization, which offers a ground analysis of social mobility. Unlike earlier historians, he emphasized the cause-and-effect relationship in historical events, which laid the foundation of modern historians. Their educational theory was deeply vested in the progressive nature of observation, experience and knowledge acquisition.
Contributions to Education:
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- Advocating progressive education, saying that knowledge should be taught by step from simple to complex.
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- Introducing the concept of “social environment in learning”, which later influenced the developmental psychology of the Jean Piaget the Swiss psychologist.
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- Emphasized the practical application of knowledge, which became a foundation for modern experienced learning.
His principles on civilization and historical education influenced historians such as Arnold J. Toynbee a well-known historian and philosopher.
5. Al-Tusi (1201–1274) – The Pioneer of Academic Institutions
Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Tusi known as Nasir Al-Din Al-Tusi was a Persian polymath, philosopher and scientist who contributed groundbreaking to mathematics, astronomy and educational theory. He played an important role in conservation and expanding on Greek and Islamic knowledge, which ensures its transmission to later generations. During the Mongol invasion, he interacted on the establishment of the “Maragheh Observatory”, which is one of the first research institutes of its kind, where scholars of diverse background collaborated. His advocacy for empirical learning and structured education had a permanent impact on both Islamic and European scholarship. Many of his views on knowledge classification and interdisciplinary education were influenced by the model of later university.
Contributions to Education:
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- A research institute established the “Maragheh Observatory”, which combined teaching with scientific discovery.
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- Multi-intellectual education was advocated, where students were encouraged to study various fields.
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- Developed courses that included logic, philosophy and empirical science, which build foundations for later universities.
His educational philosophy was adopted in later Islamic and European institutions.
6. Al-Zarnuji (12th Century) – The Art of Learning
Shaykh Burhanuddin Al-Zarnuji was a 12th-century Islamic scholar who is known for his influential books who were “Talim Al-Muta’alim” (The Education of the Student). He was born in Zarnuj, a city in Uzbekistan. His work focuses on the principles of attaining knowledge, emphasizing discipline, honesty and moral conduct. “Talim Al-Muta’alim” became a foundation stone in Islamic education, directing students and teachers equally. Despite their influence, very rarely known about his personal life and other functions.
Contributions to Education:
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- Students insisted on motivation and discipline as the major elements of success.
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- Discussed time management in learning, a concept is now central in modern productivity studies.
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- Encouraged teacher-student relations on the basis of mutual respect, affecting modern educational techniques.
His book is an important reference in Islamic education today.
7. Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi (1076–1148) – Early Legal Education
Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi (1076–1148) was a prominent ovary scholar of Maliki jurisprudence, theology and hadith. Born in Seville, Spain, he traveled extensively through the Islamic world, studying under the famous scholars in the past. His work, such as “Ahkam Al-Quran” and “Al-Awasim min Al-Qawasim”, are influential in Islamic and psychological views. He played an important role in shaping Maliki jurisprudence in Maghreb and Al-Andalus. His scholarship reflects a deep association with both traditional Islamic science and his contemporary intellectual debate of his time.
Contributions to Education:
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- The law developed the case-standing method, which affected Western legal education.
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- Advocated comparative legal studies, later inspired European legal scholars.
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- Important critical debate in Islamic schools (munazara), modern law is similar to the Sukrati method used in schools.
Their functioning was later adopted in European universities such as Bologna and Oxford.
Conclusion: Rediscovering Forgotten Muslim Educators
The contribution of these forgotten Muslim thinkers formed the basis for modern education in various subjects. From the medical education of Ibn-e-Sina to the philosophical structure of Al-Farabi, their views keep shaping educational methods around the world. Identifying their impact not only restores historical accuracy, but also provides valuable insight into the development of learning systems.
By accepting these scholars, we can bridge the historical gaps and promote more inclusive understanding of the history of education. His education on critical thinking, scientific investigation and morality is relevant today, which urges us to integrate various intellectual traditions in our modern educational discourse.
References:
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- Makdisi, G. (1990). The Rise of Colleges: Institutions of Learning in Islam and the West. Edinburgh University Press
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- Al-Zarnuji, B. (2001). Instruction of the Student: The Method of Learning. Starlatch Press
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- Nasr, S. H. (1993). An Introduction to Islamic Science. Suhail Academy
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- Ibn Khaldun. (2005). The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History. Princeton University Press
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- Watt, W. M. (1953). The Faith and Practice of Al-Ghazali. Allen & Unwin
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- Gutas, D. (2001). Avicenna and the Aristotelian Tradition: Introduction to Reading Avicenna’s Philosophical Works. Brill Academic
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- Al-Farabi, A. N. (1998). The Book of Letters. Harvard University Press
Further Reading:
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- Makdisi, G. (1990). The Rise of Colleges: Institutions of Learning in Islam and the West. Edinburgh University Press
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- Nasr, S. H. (2006). Science and Civilization in Islam. Harvard University Press
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- Gutas, D. (2001). Avicenna and the Aristotelian Tradition: Introduction to Reading Avicenna’s Philosophical Works. Brill Academic
