[Slideshare]alkaff mosquesession(draft as on 6june 2011) (1)

“ O MY CHILD! “

ELUCIDATIONS OF SELECTED EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK BY HUJJATUL ISLAMIMAM ABU HAMID AL-GHAZALI R.A.

THE HERITAGE READING CLUBTHE HERITAGE READING CLUBOF:

BY : USTAZ ZHULKEFLEE HJ ISMAIL

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST MERCIFUL.

All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

11STST SESSION (11 JUNE 2011) SESSION (11 JUNE 2011)

For me “reading” is about seeking “meanings” from

Signs (Aayat) - to arrive at understanding, and

therefore a book serves as impetus towards

enhancing whatever previous knowledge acquired,

hoping that Allah may open for me new insights;

new and beneficial knowledge; hopeful that He, the

most Glorious and Exalted, grant me with deeper

conviction and faith, conviction, and wisdom with

TAQWA; and may He draw me closer to His Mercy and

Redha.


Abu Hāmed Mohammad al-Ghazālī (1058 – 1111 C.E.)

“May Allah bless his soul, elevate his rank and make us to benefit from his knowledge, wisdom and secrets.”

The book chosen to be discussed is available to be

read by all, and therefore this session is not a session

in reading from it.

I will only select excerpts from it to highlight a I will only select excerpts from it to highlight a

pertinent point for reflection. Points which I find to pertinent point for reflection. Points which I find to

be most relevant to expand upon, and thereby be most relevant to expand upon, and thereby

I shall proceed to elucidate on it.I shall proceed to elucidate on it.




As this book contain advice, it is couched in words As this book contain advice, it is couched in words

which may be brief yet seminally pregnant with which may be brief yet seminally pregnant with

profound wisdom. By it, those grounded in profound wisdom. By it, those grounded in

traditional learning cannot help but be moved to traditional learning cannot help but be moved to

expand and perhaps elaborate with clarity expand and perhaps elaborate with clarity – insha-– insha-

AllahAllah, the deeper lessons which may be learnt., the deeper lessons which may be learnt.




The points which I may elucidate may be basic, which The points which I may elucidate may be basic, which

some may regard as superfluous to belabour upon, some may regard as superfluous to belabour upon,

yet I am humbly reminded that my audience are yet I am humbly reminded that my audience are

thinkers and those who aspire to be writers. Hope thinkers and those who aspire to be writers. Hope

that you can tolerate this (that you can tolerate this (FaqirFaqir) poor man’s ) poor man’s

rambling or, if I may seem to be off-tangent, please rambling or, if I may seem to be off-tangent, please

forgive me.forgive me.




“Allah suffices me! Glory be to You (O Allah), of knowledge we have none except what You have taught us, verily, You are perfect in Knowledge, the Most Wise.”


FOR MY FIRST SESSION (SATURDAY) 11 JUNE 2011)

MUQADDIMAH: MUQADDIMAH:

(A senior student explained) : “I have acquired various disciplines of (A senior student explained) : “I have acquired various disciplines of

knowledge, spending the prime of my life in learning and accumulating this knowledge, spending the prime of my life in learning and accumulating this

knowledge. Now I ought to find out, what knowledge will benefit me knowledge. Now I ought to find out, what knowledge will benefit me

tomorrow and will be my companion in the grave, and what knowledge is tomorrow and will be my companion in the grave, and what knowledge is

useless to me, so that I may abandon it, as the Messenger of Allah – Allah’s useless to me, so that I may abandon it, as the Messenger of Allah – Allah’s

blessings and Peace be upon him – has said:blessings and Peace be upon him – has said:

““O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from O Allah! I seek refuge with Thee from

knowledge that does not benefit.”knowledge that does not benefit.”


CONSIDER:CONSIDER: Our learning journey is never staticOur learning journey is never static.

Many of us may be in the same predicament as this student. We may

have been assuming, and even may fall into complacency, not realizing

that perhaps many of our assumptions on knowledge and learning, may

not be quite right; that there are much more that we still do not know.


CONSIDER:CONSIDER: Our learning journey is never staticOur learning journey is never static.

Many of us may be in the same predicament as this student. We may

have been assuming, and even may fall into complacency, not realizing

that perhaps many of our assumptions on knowledge and learning, may

not be quite right; that there are much more that we still do not know.

Yes we may seemed to have learnt a lot, and many may ‘marvel’ at

their acquired ‘knowledge’ and ‘attainment’. Yet somehow within us, our

inquisitive nature is always present , aware that there are more important

questions still in us needing answers. Some simply choose to avoid these,

(though they are now aware) of something which they “do not know.”


10

The beginning of Wisdom is when you realize you do not know!The beginning of Wisdom is when you realize you do not know!

*Extracted and elaborated from “Beginners’ Manual on Islam” by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj ismail (PERGAS)

RED line (circumference) indicates our encounter with knowledge which we now realize we do not know; which motivates us to acquire them.

The GREEN area represents whatever Knowledge that we have.

BLACK space representsInfinite Knowledge“We don’t even knowthat we don’t know them”


11

When knowledge grows, the circle will expand. But with this expansion the circumference (RED line) also increases.

Remember: RED line (circumference) indicates our encounter with knowledge which we now realize we do not know.

The GREEN area represents whatever Knowledge that we have.

BLACK space representsInfinite Knowledge“We don’t even knowthat we don’t know them”

“The more we know, the more will we encounter aspects of knowledge which we do not know. And only realization of this which motivates us to grow in learning”

*Extracted and elaborated from “Beginners’ Manual on Islam” by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj ismail (PERGAS)


When you acquire them, your knowledge grows (DARK GREEN area )

““Those who do not know that they do not know.”Those who do not know that they do not know.”

““Those who know that they do not know.”Those who know that they do not know.”

““Those who do not know that they know.”Those who do not know that they know.”

““Those who know that they know.”Those who know that they know.”

And the wise (those who truly know), will always look at what they are And the wise (those who truly know), will always look at what they are

ignorant of, maintaining humility , striving to continue learning, rather than ignorant of, maintaining humility , striving to continue learning, rather than

become conceited with whatever little they had already learnt.become conceited with whatever little they had already learnt.

THE HEEDLESS

THE IGNORANT

THE NEGLIGENT

THE WISE

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRULY WISE


CONSIDER:CONSIDER: Mode of our ‘knowledge’ acquisition.

Our acquisition of ‘knowledge’ is usually very much a “horizontal”

accumulation of new information or new subjects, adding them

(quantitatively) to whatever we may already posses.


CONSIDER:CONSIDER: Mode of our ‘knowledge’ acquisition.

Our acquisition of ‘knowledge’ is usually very much a “horizontal”

accumulation of new information or new subjects, adding them

(quantitatively) to whatever we may already posses.

In our formative age, the dynamics of our learning is in this

“horizontal” mode. Given the competition, much new ‘knowledge’ are

acquired – adding to the linear development. The mode to appreciate

with deeper understanding from what we have already learnt, to really

benefit from them, is seldom done -.until much of this ‘knowledge’

became only mere stored ‘information’.


CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

When we strive to understand deeper a given object of knowledge,

seeking to discover whatever profound meanings contain within it,

requiring much thinking: contemplation in processing our thoughts

while interacting with the information, till we uncover layers upon layers

of meanings, thereby increasing our understanding, we are adding

quality and it is this this mode of acquisition which I deem as “vertical”.


Mode of our ‘knowledge’ acquisition.

CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

When we strive to understand deeper a given object of knowledge,

seeking to discover whatever profound meanings contain within it,

requiring much thinking: contemplation in processing our thoughts

while interacting with the information, till we uncover layers upon layers

of meanings, thereby increasing our understanding, we are adding

quality and it is this this mode of acquisition which I deem as “vertical”.

Thus, to me a Muslim’s learning is never static, although the subjects

we may be speaking of seem to be the same. Especially, those regarded

as “Fardhu ‘Ain” which I always like to re-visit , emphasise and share.



CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

Perhaps the common ‘understanding’ of what constitute Fardhu ’Ain,

amongst our community, may have been grossly misperceived because

too often, we imply increase in knowledge only in the horizontal sense.



CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

Perhaps the common ‘understanding’ of what constitute Fardhu ’Ain,

amongst our community, may have been grossly misperceived because

too often, we imply increase in knowledge only in the horizontal sense.

Actually, knowledge of the Fardhu ‘Ain for a Muslim, is always

determined in accordance with whatever obligations he/she is

commanded by the religion to uphold. As this responsibilities increases

when his/her social role changes, so too would be the Fardhu ‘Ain

knowledge which he/she has to, or obligated by the religion, to acquire

them.



CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

Therefore, what constitute Fardhu ‘Ain knowledge (curriculum) for

each phase of a Muslim’s life, must be different, detailed and specific to

his/her intellectual and spiritual development, viz.:

[1] As a child;

[2] As a young student (prepubescent);

[3] As a youth attaining puberty – meeting needs in tertiary institution –

those in National service – becoming an adult; as working adult;

[4] Assuming family and social responsibility and leadership;

[5] As a professional in various (different) respective fields; etc.



CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

Perhaps one of the principles (Qawaa-id ) will explain:


“Every matter (knowledge, skill, etc.), for which an obligation

cannot be fulfilled except by (possessing) it (i.e. knowledge and

skill), its acquisition is (therefore) obligatory (waajib).”

-An Islamic principle.


CONSIDER:CONSIDER:

So do ponder deeper on the saying:

““To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”

We are told that this is the command for us to learn, but how does a

human being learn?

Have we learnt how to learn?

We are told seek, to be a seeker (tolib) - shouldn’t a seeker know

what he is suppose to be seeking and how to seek it?



CONSIDER:CONSIDER:



If you say, “we seek knowledge” then shouldn’t we be seriously

asking, “what is “knowledge” really?

Is there a difference between the ‘traditional’ Islamic perspective of

its definition with what was taught by the other ‘conventional’ systems

worldview? For I have learnt that : “Knowledge is never neutral.”All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)


CONSIDER:CONSIDER:



Is there no difference between “knowledge” and “information” ?

Are there not many types or different categories of knowledge?

How do we go about prioritizing them? ... etc.



Epistemology: from Greek πιστήμηἐ (epistēmē),

meaning "knowledge, science",

and λόγος (logos), meaning "study of"

- is the branch of philosophy concerned

with the nature and scope (limitations) of knowledge.

It addresses the questions:

What is knowledge?

How is knowledge acquired?

How do we know what we know?


Knowledge is a collection of Knowledge is a collection of factsfacts, , informationinformation, ,

and/or and/or skillsskills acquired through experience or acquired through experience or educationeducation or or

(more generally) the theoretical or practical understanding of (more generally) the theoretical or practical understanding of

a subject. a subject.

It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or

explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject);

and it can be more or less formal or systematic.and it can be more or less formal or systematic.

OXFORD DICTIONARIES’ DEFINITION:


factsfacts, , informationinformation

SkillsSkills

KnowledgeKnowledge

educationeducation

MA’-LUMAT(information; facts)

SINA’-AH (skills, industrious);

FANNIYAH (artistry);

’ILM – (science and knowledge)

TA-ADDIB; - which includesTA’-LIM; TAR-BIYYAH; TAZKIYYAH, etc.


EQUIVALENT TERMS USED IN ISLAM

Amongst the definitions:Amongst the definitions:

““....... Knowledge is the arrival ....... Knowledge is the arrival ** ( (huhussulul- ) of the meaning - ) of the meaning

((ma’nama’na- ) of a thing or object of knowledge in the soul of - ) of a thing or object of knowledge in the soul of

the subject; and simultaneously,..... Knowledge is the soul’s the subject; and simultaneously,..... Knowledge is the soul’s

arrival (arrival (wuwussulul- ) at the meaning of that thing or the object - ) at the meaning of that thing or the object

of knowledge.”of knowledge.”

By “meaning” (By “meaning” (ma’nama’na- ) is: “- ) is: “the recognition of the proper the recognition of the proper

place of anything in a systemplace of anything in a system ...” ...”

: Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas: Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas

** “ “attainment; acquirement” is a better translationattainment; acquirement” is a better translation..All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

EPISTEMOLOGY

Thus, perspective of Education in Islam can be defined:

““... Recognition and acknowledgement, progressively instilled ... Recognition and acknowledgement, progressively instilled

into man, of the proper places of things in the order of into man, of the proper places of things in the order of

creation, such that it leads to the recognition and creation, such that it leads to the recognition and

acknowledgement of the proper place of God in the order of acknowledgement of the proper place of God in the order of

being and existence.”being and existence.”

Quoted from: “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Quoted from: “The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas” by Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud (ISTAC Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas” by Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud (ISTAC

publication).publication).


EPISTEMOLOGY

BUT WHAT IS THE REAL NATURE OF MAN?

WHEREAS ... THEY MAY SIMPLY BE OBSESSED ONLY WITH THE HARDWARE

IN MAN (PHYSICAL). WHEREAS FOR ISLAM, REAL KNOWLEDGE IS SITUATED

WITHIN MAN (THE SOFTWARE) WHICH IS IN HIS SOUL (SPIRITUAL).

20th century the developmental psychologist Howard 20th century the developmental psychologist Howard Gardner proposed a theory of Multiple Intelligences.Gardner proposed a theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Left-brain right brain attributionLeft-brain right brain attribution


It is called “It is called “RuhRuh” – ‘spirit’, when we refer to its essence, which we do ” – ‘spirit’, when we refer to its essence, which we do

not know except very little.not know except very little.

When it is in cognitive mode of its own existence, awareness of its identity, When it is in cognitive mode of its own existence, awareness of its identity,

it is called “it is called “NafsNafs” – ‘self’.” – ‘self’.

The word The word ““QolbQolb” – ‘heart’, also refers to our Soul, when it is in the ” – ‘heart’, also refers to our Soul, when it is in the

mode of reflection, or contemplation in understanding meanings.mode of reflection, or contemplation in understanding meanings.

When Allah s.w.t. grants When Allah s.w.t. grants TaufiqTaufiq whereupon its understanding of ‘Reality’ whereupon its understanding of ‘Reality’

penetrates deeply, it is referred to as “penetrates deeply, it is referred to as “LubbLubb” - ‘innermost’” - ‘innermost’

If is guided by Allah to go deeper still, it is referred to as “If is guided by Allah to go deeper still, it is referred to as “SirrSirr” – ” –

‘secret’‘secret’

But all these terms refer to the same thing i.e. Our Spiritual Self.But all these terms refer to the same thing i.e. Our Spiritual Self.

WaAllaahu a’lamWaAllaahu a’lam

EPISTEMOLOGY



EPISTEMOLOGY

Seeking an Islamic perspective ...

““““Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was

nothing--(not even) mentioned?― Verily We created Man from a nothing--(not even) mentioned?― Verily We created Man from a

drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the

gifts), of Hearing and Sight. We showed him the Way: whether he gifts), of Hearing and Sight. We showed him the Way: whether he

be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).” be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).”

((Qur’an: al-Insan: 76:1-3Qur’an: al-Insan: 76:1-3))

All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011)

EPISTEMOLOGY

(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught

((‘ALAMA‘ALAMA) the Qur'an. He has created man: He ) the Qur'an. He has created man: He

has taught him has taught him AL-BAYAANAL-BAYAAN : speech (and : speech (and

Intelligence) Intelligence)

((Qur’an: ar-Rahmaan: 55:1-4Qur’an: ar-Rahmaan: 55:1-4))



” ”It is He (Allah) Who has sent amongst the Unlettered It is He (Allah) Who has sent amongst the Unlettered

a messenger (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) from a messenger (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) from

among themselves, to among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signsrehearse to them His Signs, to , to

sanctify themsanctify them, and to , and to instruct them instruct them in Scripture and in Scripture and

Wisdom― although they had been, before, in manifest Wisdom― although they had been, before, in manifest

error― “error― “

((Qur’an: Jumu’ah:62: 2Qur’an: Jumu’ah:62: 2) )


““As well as (As well as (to confer all these benefits uponto confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who ) others of them, who

have not already joined them: and He is Exalted in Might, Wise. have not already joined them: and He is Exalted in Might, Wise.

Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will: Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will:

and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.” and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.”

((Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 63: 3-4Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 63: 3-4) )

To understand how we as human learn, let us analyse

the computer (a product attempted by human to create

an imitation or artificial intelligence)

Computerization is a total system comprising of:

[1] INPUT

[2] PROCESSING

[3] OUTPUT

EPISTEMOLOGY


INPUT - PROCESSING - OUTPUTINPUT - PROCESSING - OUTPUT

EPISTEMOLOGY


KEYBOARDTHUMB-DISK-DRIVES

SCANNER MOUSE

FEED TO CPU TO BE PROCESSED

EPISTEMOLOGY


• KEYBOARD

• MOUSE

• THUMB/DISK DRIVE

• SCANNER

• BLUE-

TOOTH/WIRELESS

THE FIVE SENSES:

SIGHT, SOUND, TOUCH, SMELL,

TASTE.

TRUE REPORT

EXTRA-SENSORY -INSPIRATION,

DREAM, INTUITION, BURST OF

BRILLIANCE

COMPUTERCOMPUTER HUMAN BEINGHUMAN BEING

EPISTEMOLOGY


EPISTEMOLOGY

PROCESSING TAKESPROCESSING TAKESPLACE HEREPLACE HERE

INPUT

OUTPUT(FEEDBACK)


MemoryMemory

Linguistic & literacyLinguistic & literacy

Logic & musicLogic & music

Deductive - inductiveDeductive - inductive

Speculative extrapolationSpeculative extrapolation

Emotive - empathyEmotive - empathy

Contemplative - intuitionContemplative - intuition

Extraneous linkageExtraneous linkage


EPISTEMOLOGY

• Control unit – storage, speed

• ROM – Read only memory

• RAM – Random access memory

• BIOS – Basic input-output

System

• DOS – Disk operating System;

Drivers etc.

• ALU – Arithmetic logic unit


EPISTEMOLOGY

SCREEN MONITOR

PRINTER - SCANNERTHUMB-DISK-DRIVES

FROM CPU TO OUTPUT FROM CPU TO OUTPUT OR BE SAVED, PRINTEDOR BE SAVED, PRINTED


SpeechSpeech

ActionsActions

CreativityCreativity

BehaviourBehaviour

Disposition (Disposition (akhlaqakhlaq))


EPISTEMOLOGY

• Monitor – screenMonitor – screen

• Printer – scannerPrinter – scanner

• Thumb-driveThumb-drive

• Disk-driveDisk-drive

• Sound-systemSound-system

• ProjectorProjector

• Other devicesOther devices


EPISTEMOLOGY


• Thus, revelation which our Prophet Muhammad s.a,w.

received was not something new - as this phenomena had

already occurred to Prophets before him.

• Thus those, termed the “People of the Book” amongst

those of Abrahamic line i.e. the Jews and Christians,

would be the independent parties than can corroborate -

not deny but confirm this as a ‘Reality’.


WE MUSLIMS DIFFER FROM SECULARISTS WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN REVELATION


EPISTEMOLOGY

TO BE C

ONTINUED ...

INSHA-A

LLAH

TO BE C

ONTINUED ...

INSHA-A

LLAH

http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/

http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/

http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/

http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/

http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/ http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/

http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/

http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/ http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/

http ://muqaddam-nurul.blogspot.com/http ://muqaddam-nurul.blogspot.com/

A l l we l c o me t o v is it my we b - b l o g :A l l we l c o me t o v is it my we b - b l o g :

50All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2011))

[Slideshare]alkaff mosquesession(draft as on 6june 2011) (1)

Education

Transcript of [Slideshare]alkaff mosquesession(draft as on 6june 2011) (1)