Ibn Taymiyyah's Philosophical Thoughts on Education in the Perspective of Modern Western Educational Thought

Abstract

This study aims to analyze Ibn Taimiyah's philosophical thot on education from the perspective of modern Western educational thought, and to find common ground and potential for its integration with contemporary educational challenges. This study uses a qualitative approach with a philosophical-comparative method based on literature review. The research findings indicate that Ibn Taymiyyah's thot emphasizes the importance of integrating knowledge derived from revelation (sam'iyyat) and rational knowledge ('aqliyyat), thus forming the concept of beneficial knowledge (al-'ilm al-nafi') which combines spiritual and intellectual dimensions. Conversely, modern Western education places more emphasis on rationality, freedom of thought, and the development of human potential thru empirical experience, as taught by John Dewey and William C. Bagley. The fundamental difference between the two lies in the source of the value of revealed truth in Islam and reason in the West, but they can complement each other. The conceptual synthesis between these two perspectives results in an integrative education model that combines the strengths of Islamic spirituality and Western rationality to shape individuals who are knowledgeable, ethical, and civilized. This research has implications for the need to develop an Islamic education curriculum that is transcendental, contextual, and able to meet global demands without losing the value of monotheism.