Learning, Scholarship, And The Muslim Faith: Intrinsic Links

Islam has a long tradition of scholarship and learning, with education being a highly valued aspect of the Muslim faith. As the faith spread among diverse peoples, education became a key tool for creating a universal and cohesive social order. The Islamic sciences, which emphasise the study of the Qur'an and the sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, are considered the most important field of study, but Greek scholarship and the literary arts are also held in high regard. The madrasah is an Islamic religious school where students begin their religious education by studying the Qur'an. The mosque at Timbuktu, for example, was a vibrant centre of Islamic scholarship in the 14th century. The Islamic faith also has strong links to astronomy and the annual celebration of the religious holiday of Ramadan.

Islamic scholarship funds and financial aid

Islam is the world's second-most popular religion, with followers comprising about 25% of the global population. There are numerous scholarships available for Muslim students, some for students studying any field, and others reserved for those pursuing Islamic education or another field related to their religion.

Islamic Scholarship Fund

The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) provides scholarships, internships, and fellowships to accomplished undergraduate and graduate-level Muslim scholars pursuing master's, PhDs, or law degrees. The ISF aims to increase American Muslim representation in media, film, law, government, and more, to improve public policy and public opinion. Since 2009, the ISF has awarded $3.06 million in scholarships and grants.

Islamic Society of North America

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) awards several need-based scholarships to students for their college studies. The awards are based on academic performance, community development work, and other similar factors. The ISNA offers the following scholarships:

• Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship: For Muslim-American high school seniors with impressive leadership and community service experience. Awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each.
• Plainfield Muslim Women for Better Society Scholarship: For Muslim high school seniors from Plainfield or Indianapolis, Indiana, with a minimum 3.5 GPA and at least 20 hours of community service. Awards 5 scholarships of $500 each.
• Hajja Razia Sharif Sheikh Scholarship: For Muslim students studying Islamic Studies or Journalism at a US-accredited institution. Awards 2 scholarships of $1,500 each.
• AMANA Mutual Funds Scholarship: For Muslim-American students majoring in finance, economics, or mathematics at a US-accredited institution. Awards 1 scholarship of $2,500.

Other Islamic Scholarships

There are many other scholarships available for Muslim students, including:

• Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant: For Muslim students interested in filmmaking, featuring American Muslim characters or themes. Offers funding, mentorship, career counselling, and professional experience. Awards multiple scholarships of up to $15,000 each.
• Ismat Tariq Muslim Women Empowerment Scholarship: For female-identifying Muslim students at any education level who are in financial need.
• Al-Haj Abdallah R Abdallah Muslim Scholarship: For Muslim students pursuing higher education who are active in their community and/or mosque.
• Center for Arab American Philanthropy Dr. Adawia Alousi STEM Scholarship for Muslim Women: For Muslim women studying STEM at a US postsecondary institution. Awards up to $5,000, renewable for up to four years.
• American Muslim Alliance of Florida Scholarship: For Muslim students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Awards range from $500 to $1,000.

The role of mosques in Muslim education

The mosque has always been a central and vital part of the Muslim community, serving as a place of worship, education, and social gatherings. The first mosque was built by Prophet Muhammad in Medina and, since then, mosques have played a pivotal role in the spread of education in Islam.

The mosque was the centre of the Islamic community, a place for prayer, meditation, religious instruction, political discussion, and a school. In the early Islamic period, the mosque served many purposes and took on a comprehensive role in the lives of Muslims. It was a place of worship, learning and prayer, but it also functioned as a community's political and social centre.

Historically, mosques were places of education, where both religious and other sciences were taught. The mosque played a great part in the spread of education in Islam and this association remains one of its main characteristics throughout history. From the start, children usually started their schooling around the age of five at the mosque, learning how to perform Salah and recite the Quran, as well as writing Arabic and basic arithmetic. For more advanced learning, Muslims could attend classes in bigger mosques, which offered instruction in Arabic grammar and poetry, logic, algebra, biology, history, law, and theology.

Some of the schools attached to mosques were world-class centres of learning at the time. The world-renowned Al-Azhar University, for example, started as a mosque in 969CE and now has over a hundred thousand students. Other notable examples include the mosques in Madina, Cairo (Al-Ahzar) and Damascus.

In addition to providing education, mosques also played an important social role. They were places of prayer, centres of political activities, educational institutions, and a focal point of communal life. The Khutbah (sermon) is an opportunity to address the Muslim community and has always played a pivotal role in informing Muslims about their affairs and calling them to action.

Madrasas and other educational institutions

Madrasas are Islamic religious schools, also known as madrassahs, which have been of increasing interest to US policymakers since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The Arabic word madrasa generally has two meanings: in its colloquial usage, it simply means "school"; in its secondary meaning, a madrasa is an educational institution offering instruction in Islamic subjects. Madrasas are centuries-old institutions of learning, with one of the first established madrasas being built in Baghdad during the 11th century AD. Over time, madrasas spread across the Muslim world, operating for nearly 600 years on three continents.

Madrasas have been accused of promoting Islamic extremism and militancy, and of having ties to terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda. However, others argue that most madrasas have been unfairly blamed for fostering anti-Americanism and producing terrorists. Madrasas exist as part of a broader educational infrastructure in most Muslim countries today, with some teaching secular subjects in addition to religious instruction.

Madrasas offer free education, room, and board to their students, making them appealing to impoverished families. They are supported by private donations from Muslim believers through a process of alms-giving known as zakat, one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. Almost all madrasas cater to boys, although there are a small number of madrasas for girls. Madrasas may enrol female students, but they study separately from the men.

Madrasas can be further distinguished from other types of schools by their architectural design. They are generally centred around an interior courtyard with a central fountain or water basin, and student dorms distributed across one or two floors. A prayer hall or mosque chamber usually stands opposite the entrance on one side of the courtyard.

The influence of Islamic learning on the West

Islam has always placed a high value on education, and as the faith spread, education became a way to create a universal and cohesive social order. The Islamic sciences, which emphasised the study of the Qur'an and the sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, were considered the most important field of study. However, Greek scholarship was also deemed important, if less virtuous.

During the Islamic Golden Age (between the 10th and 13th centuries), Islamic scholarship flourished with an openness to the rational sciences, art, and literature. Islamic scholars preserved Greek knowledge that had been prohibited by the Christian world, and made advances in chemistry, botany, physics, mineralogy, mathematics, and astronomy. They also furthered the scientific breeding of animals, new concepts of irrigation, and improved navigation. Islamic scholars also made strides in medicine and pharmacology, primarily based on the theory of humoral pathology.

Transmission of Classical Knowledge

During the 8th and 9th centuries, Classical learning was introduced to Islamic societies and refined to adapt to Islamic culture. In the following two centuries, this knowledge was interpreted, criticised, and further adapted. Classical culture was modified with significant additions from Muslim scholarship, including works by Omar Khayyam, al-Bīrūnī, Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), al-Ṭabarī, Avempace (Ibn Bājjah), and Averroës (Ibn Rushd).

Influence on European Awakening

The translations of Muslim works into Hebrew and Latin in the 12th and 13th centuries were instrumental in bringing about the early phases of the European intellectual awakening. This coincided with the decline of Muslim scholarship due to political conditions and the rise of a more insular, unquestioning acceptance of traditional knowledge.

Advancement of Knowledge

Muslim scholars made numerous advancements across various fields, including:

• Calculating the angle of the ecliptic, the size of the Earth, and the precession of the equinoxes
• Explaining refraction of light, gravity, capillary attraction, and twilight in the fields of optics and physics
• Developing new concepts in hygiene and the use of anaesthetics and new surgical tools in medicine
• Improving navigation and the scientific breeding of animals
• Discovering new substances in chemistry, such as potash, alcohol, nitrate of silver, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and mercury chloride
• Advancing the arts of textiles, ceramics, and metallurgy

Islamic teachings and principles

Monotheism and God-Centred Learning

Muslims believe in the oneness of God (Allah) and reject the worship of multiple gods. This monotheistic belief system forms the foundation of their faith and guides their pursuit of knowledge. The Quran, as the divine word of God, is central to Muslim education, with students beginning their religious studies by memorising and interpreting it.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam are fundamental acts of worship that every Muslim strives to fulfil. These include the declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), giving to charity (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) for those who are able. These pillars shape the spiritual development of Muslims and their understanding of their faith.

Moral and Ethical Conduct

Islam emphasises high moral and ethical standards, including honesty, justice, kindness, compassion, humility, and respect for others. Muslims are expected to live righteous lives, and these values guide their interactions, behaviours, and scholarship.

Social Responsibility and Community

Islam places a strong emphasis on social responsibility and caring for the less fortunate. Muslims are encouraged to give to charity, help those in need, and contribute positively to their communities. This sense of social responsibility extends to the pursuit of knowledge, as Muslims strive to use their learning for the betterment of society.

Family and Relationships

The institution of family is highly valued in Islam, with an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of family members. Love, respect, and care within families are promoted, fostering strong bonds between spouses, parents, and children. This sense of community and interconnection often extends beyond the family unit, influencing social relationships and scholarly pursuits.

Peace and Justice

Islam promotes peace, harmony, and justice in society, encouraging Muslims to resolve conflicts peacefully, stand against oppression, and promote equality. These principles guide Muslims in their interactions and can influence their scholarly endeavours, encouraging ethical research and the pursuit of knowledge for positive societal impact.

Islamic Scholarship Throughout History

Historically, Islam has placed a high value on education, and this continued as the faith spread among diverse peoples. During the Islamic Golden Age, particularly under the Abbasids in the East and the Umayyads in the West (centres such as Córdoba, Seville, and Granada in Spain), there was a flourishing of knowledge. This period witnessed the translation, interpretation, and adaptation of Classical Greek, Persian, and Hindu texts in fields such as mathematics, astronomy, algebra, trigonometry, and medicine. Muslim scholars made significant contributions to various fields, including optics, physics, chemistry, navigation, medicine, and agriculture.

The Role of Mosques and Madrasas

Mosques and madrasas (Islamic religious schools) have been vital centres of learning in the Muslim world. Mosques, in addition to being places of worship, often had schools attached, where scholars taught religious sciences to interested adults. Madrasas, which first emerged in the 8th century, specialised in legal instruction, producing experts in Sunni Islamic law. These educational institutions played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating knowledge, fostering a culture of learning, and shaping the intellectual and spiritual development of Muslim students.

In conclusion, Islamic teachings and principles emphasise the importance of knowledge, scholarship, and the pursuit of understanding. Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge, apply their learning for the betterment of society, and strive for excellence in their educational endeavours while upholding the values and ethics espoused by their faith.

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