THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT DURING THE FATIMID DYNASTY IN AL-AZHAR
Abd. Karim & Zulfatul Khoiriyah
IAI Al-Hoziny Buduran Sidoarjo
Email : karimelfaz@gmail.com
Abstract
Al- Azhar is one of the
institution’s pride the Islamic Ummah. History has recorded how the existence
of Al – Azhar of the early Fatimiyah Khilafah to this day holds a great story
very interesting. Not only that, Al – Azhar also contribute on the development
of civilization and Islamic intellectuals. Many scientists the great scientists
who were born from there. One thing that is not less important is that it turns
out that the existing educational system in Al – Azhar turned out at the
adoption by the institutions which exist in western countries. Therefore, this
paper will try to uncover the historical return of Al – Azhar during the
Fatimiyah Khilafah, history of the establishment, and the factors that affect
the educational system.
Key word :
Higher Education of Al – Azhar, Fatimiyah.
A.
Introduction
Education is the most important part
that is inseparable from the activities of human life in this world. Education
is recognized as a force that can help humans achieve the splendor and
advancement of civilization.[1]
Humans will not be able to develop and develop their culture perfectly if it is
not supported by education. In terms of historical context, the development of
education has become the main factor supporting the advances of human
civilization in the past. One concrete evidence is that the legacy of Islamic
civilization itself, such as the triumph of Islam in the classical period, has
left many traces of Islamic greatness in the fields of economics, politics,
intellectualism, religion, art and so on, all of which cannot be separated from
the role of education.[2]
Islamic education is a chain that has contributed to the growth and
development of education as a whole. This fact can be seen that most of the
higher education methods in Europe and other western countries, such as the
discussion method, the question and answer method or exchange of ideas, were
originally adopted from the concept of musyawarah and the majelis taklim system
in Islam.[3]
Islam is not much different from the historical period of Islam.[4]
However, it is also necessary to
critically examine the historical journey of Islamic education from the
Abbasids in the East to the end of Islamic rule in Andalusia in western Europe,
at least it can be said that there was a nuance of power that played a role in
realizing the progress of education. Manifestation of this power, became clear
when the emergence of a number of Islamic dynasties his historical record has
contributed a lot to the development of the education sector, especially
Islamic education. Of the many dynasties that made the advancement of Islamic
civilization in the field of education, namely the Fatimid Khilafah in Egypt.
Departing from the above phenomena, then this paper will describe a theoretical
picture with regard to "Islamic Education: Al - Azhar Fatimid Khilafah in
Egypt" in certain boundaries as an instrument of dialogue. It is hoped
that the discussion can provide a special contribution of knowledge for writers
and historical observers to always understand the importance of the history of
Islamic education.
B.
History
of the establishment of the Al - Azhar Fatimid dynasty
The dynasties that emerged after
Khulafaur Rashidin were not the Umaiyah dynasty, the Abbasid dynasty, the
Fatimid dynasty, and many other dynasties that ruled.[5]
Some of these dynasties brought Islam to a period of progress. During that time
the development of Islam was progressing. The establishment of the Fatimid
dynasty was motivated by the weakening of the Abbasid dynasty. Ubaidillah
founded the Fatimid dynasty, which was separated from Abbasid rule.[6]
Culture developed rapidly in the Fathimiyah dynasty which was marked by the
establishment of the Al-Azhary Mosque which functioned as a center for the
study of Islam and science. This dynasty ended after Al-Adid, the last Caliph
of the Fatimid dynasty, fell ill.
The development of the Islamic
dynasty that was able to change civilization began when the Umayyad dynasty was
established which was later followed by the establishment of the Abbasid
dynasty. These two dynasties contributed to Islamic civilization, and then
emerged small dynasties that aspired to be like the two predecessors. This is
evident when many of the smaller dynasties emerged when the Abbasid dynasty's
power expanded and the one that founded a new dynasty was the Fatimid dynasty,
which was established due to discriminatory attitudes in terms of religious
understanding.
As it is known that Sunnis and
Shiites were opposites and at that time the Abbasid dynasty was in its golden
age and its territory was very large. The Fatimid dynasty at that time was very
far from the reach of the Abbasid dynasty so that it was not too closely
monitored. Actually it is very difficult to do Shi'a da'wah, even if you have
to hide - secretly because although the supervision of the Abbasids is not too
strict, a leader will be sent in every region who will supervise his territory.
However, when there was more pressure exerted by the Abbasid dynasty, the
stronger the desire for the Shi'ah to create a new state was a sign that the
influence of the Abbasid dynasty had begun to wear off.
So, the Fatimyah dynasty was one of
the dynasties that was originally part of the provincial area under the
auspices of the Abbasid dynasty which had very broad powers, so that many of
these provincial capitals began to show their existence and wanted to break
away from the Abbasid dynasty's territory and create an independent kingdom.
One of them was the Fatimid dynasty which had its own mission if they succeeded
in escaping from the power of the Abbasid dynasty, they wanted to make a
country capable of being a rival to the Abbasid dynasty and wanted to prove it
was a dynasty that was respected by other dynasties. And it is called the
Fatimiyh dynasty because this dynasty was attributed its lineage to the
daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, namely Faitimah Az-Zahra, the wife of Ali bin
Abi Talib.[7]
The Caliphs of the Fatimids in total
were fourteen, namely : Abu Muhammad Abdullah (Ubaydillah) al-Mahdi billah (909
M - 934 M), Abul-Qasim Muhammad al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah bin al-Mahdi
Ubaidillah (934 M - 946 M), Abu Zahir Isma'il
al-Mansur billah (946 M – 953 M), Abu Tamim Ma'ad al-Mu'izz li-Dinillah (953 M
– 975 M), Abu Mansur Nizar al-'Aziz billah (975 M – 996 M), Abu 'Ali al-Mansur
al-Hakim bi-Amrullah (996 M- 1021 M), Abu'l-Hasan 'Ali al-Zahir li-I'zaz
Dinillah (1021 M - 1036M), Abu Tamim Ma'add al-Mustansir bi-llah (1036 M – 1094
M), Al-Musta'li bi-llah (1094 M – 1101 M), Al-Amir bi-Ahkamullah (1101 M -1130
M), 'Abd al-Majid al-Hafiz (1130 M -1149 M), al-Zafir (1149 M – 1154 M),
al-Fa'iz (1154 M - 1160 M), al-'Adid (1160 M – 1171 M).[8]
C.
History
of the establishment of the Al - Azhar Educational Institute
Al - Azhar University or Al - Azhar
higher education institution was founded in 359 H / 970 AD during the reign of
Al - Mu'iz Liddinillah (952-975 AD) from the Fatimid dynasty and was completed
in 361 H / 971 AD. formerly a mosque that was used for prayer and other
worship, especially when the Fatimid dynasty was in power, this mosque was used
as a means of disseminating Shi'a ideology. At the beginning of its establishment,
this mosque was named Jami'ul Kahhirah (Cairo) because it took the name of the
place where the University was founded, later, its name was changed to Al -
Azhar following the name of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
Al - Azhar Mosque is a center of
knowledge, a place for language discussion, and listening to stories from
people who are skilled at storytelling. This mosque was intended for the
Fatimid Khilafah which was a means of discussion as the Abbasid Caliphate
treated its mosque in Baghdad. The effort he made was to teach the Shi'a
schools of thought to Muballigh cadres who were tasked with convincing the
public of the truth of the schools they embraced. The development of the
discussion has developed only as school information develops into scientific
information.
The emergence of Al - Azhar as a
higher education institution began when the caliph Al - Mu'iz Liddinillah in
362 H / 973 AD moved the capital of the Fatimid Daula from the city of Qairawan
(Tunisia) to the city of Al - Qahirah (Cairo / Egypt), in 975 M he inaugurated
the establishment of the Al - Azhar college. Of course, the aim of establishing
Al - Azhar was solely due to the drive to preserve and develop the schools of
thought adhered to by the caliph. However, over time the development convinced
the learning process at the adult level. The scientific nuances that are rife
in the Al-Azhar higher education institution have made the management of
education get the attention of the Caliph Fatimiyah to be regulated
professionally.[9]
D.
The
methodology taught at the Al - Azhar College during the Fatimid Khilafah
At first, teaching at Al - Azhar
University was the same as other educational institutions, namely
1.
Halaqoh system (circular)
A student is free to choose a teacher and move
according to his wishes
2.
Method of discussion
The discussion method is very highly developed
as a method in the learning process between students. A teacher is only a
facilitator and provides sharpening of the material being discussed.
3.
Lecture
There
are also regular reviews of wise advice. The material presented is in the form
of a short and effective speech to be followed informally. Even though the main
material presented was related to the morals and laws of the Qur'an, each of
them (the teachers) used metaphors and interpretations that indirectly led
listeners to follow the ideology of the Fatimiyah caliph.[10]
E.
Educational
figures and materials taught at Al - Azhar College during the Fatimid Khilafah
During the Fatimid caliphate, along
with the birth and development of Al-Azhar University, there were also
educational figures who played an important role at that time, including:
Abu Hasan Ali Ibn
Muhammad Ibn Nu'man Al - Qirani
He is a
figure who serves as the highest judge (Qadi Al - Qudat with material taught
about Fiqh.
Shaykh Muhammad Abbasi
Al - Mahdi Al Hanafi
He is a
figure with the hanafi school of thought who first held the position of rector.
Shaykh Muhammad Abbasi Al - Mahdi Al Hanafi is also in charge
Shaykh
Imam Ibrahim Al - Barmawi
He is one of the educational figures
who teaches syari'ah and languages such as Nahwu, Shorof which contains the
science of word formation.
Shaykh Muhammad Abduh
He is an educational figure
including a religious reformer. He also had an important role at Al - Azhar
University at that time, among which were reforming the administration,
expanding the curriculum, improving the library and adding subjects namely
arithmetic, al - jabar, Islamic history, language and literature, and the
principles of geometry and geography.
Shaykh Mahmud Syaltut
He was a figure who formed the
organization to regulate the maintenance of the Qur'an and formed new
faculties, including: Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty
of Engineering.
Shaykh Imam Muhammad Al - Maraghi
He is a figure who serves as
Al-Azhar shaykh and the person who carries out reforms and restructuring in the
form of laws regarding the learning system at Al-Azhar.[11]
F.
The
Process of Islamic Education Development during the Fatimid Dynasti.
In the early days, the process of
Islamic education took place in mosques, but because many Muslims were
interested in learning while the mosque's capacity was no longer sufficient, it
also disturbed the activities of people of worship, educational institutions
began to make improvements.
Ibn Killis was a figure and a
pioneer in the development of education in the Fatimid caliphate in Egypt, he
founded a university and spent thousands of dinars per month to finance it.
Under his rule, a very famous doctor named Muhammad At - Tamim, who was born in
Yarussalem moved to Egypt around 970 AD. One of the most important foundations
built during the Fatimid era was Dar Al Hikmah (house of wisdom) or Dar Al Ilm
(house of knowledge). ) which was founded by Al - Hakim as a center for
learning and disseminating extreme Shia teachings.
In 362 AH, Muiz Liddinillah moved
the dynasty capital from Tunisia to Egypt. And in this year the inauguration of
the Al-Azhar Mosque in it established Al - Azhar University which functions as
a center for Islamic studies and a center for the development of knowledge
based on the Syi'ah Islamiyah school of thought. Al - Azhar University has been
the mecca for Islamic higher education in the Islamic world until now.[12]
G.
Conclusion
Based on
the explanation above, it can be concluded that the knowledge is:
1. The history of the establishment of the
Fatimid Khilafah and the history of educational institutions during the Fatimid
Khilafah era is the emergence of Al - Azhar as a higher education institution
began when the caliph Al - Mu'iz Liddinillah moved the capital of the Fatimid
State from the city of Qairawan (Tunisia) to the city of Al - Qahirah ( Cairo /
Egypt), in 975 AD he inaugurated the establishment of the Al - Azhar college.
Of course, the aim of establishing Al - Azhar was solely due to the urge to
preserve and develop the schools of thought adopted by the caliph. However,
over time the development convinced the learning process at the adult level.
The scientific nuances that are rife in the Al-Azhar higher education
institution have made the management of education get the attention of the
Caliph Fatimiyah so that it is regulated professionally
The
methodology taught at the Al - Azhar College during the Fatimid Khilafah is the
Halaqoh System, a method of discussion and lecture. And the material includes
Shari'ah, Tauhid, Language (Nahwu, shorof, mantiq) and others
the development process of Islamic education
during the Fatimid Khilafah Al - Azhar was at first being in a mosque, then
establishing Dar Al - Hikmah or Dar Al 'Ilm because of the large number of
enthusiasts who wanted to take part in learning, until finally they could
establish Al - Azhar University.
H.
Suggestion:
The suggestions that we convey are
to study history and process development of Islamic education during the
Fatimid Khilafah. Thus we can emulate and create enthusiasm in developing
Islamic religious education in accordance with education at Al - Azhar
University
Reference’s
Prof. Dr. H.J. Suyuthi Pulungan, M.A, Sejarah
Peradaban Islam, Jakarta, 2018
Philip
K. Hitti, History of the Arabs, New York, 2002
Barry, Sejarah Pendidikan Islam. (Tahun 2019)
DS Napitupulu, Jurnal
Sejarah Peradaban Islam (Sumatera:tahun 2017)
Dedi Sahputra, Jurnal
Sejarah Peradaban Islam( Sumatera, 2017)
Muhammad, Sejarah
Pendidikan Islam Pada Massa Dinasti Fatimiyah di Mesir,(Jakarta : Ciputat
Press,2007)
Bahaking Rama, Sejarah
Pendidikan Islam Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Pada Masa Awal (Cet.I:Makassar:Alauddin
Press,2012)
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I:Jakarta:Kencana Prenada Group,2013)
Asriati
Amaliyah, Eksistensi Pendidikan Islam di
Mesir masa daulah Fatimiyah(Jakarta, 2017)
[1] Muhammad,
Sejarah Pendidikan Islam Pada Massa
Dinasti Fatimiyah di Mesir,(Jakarta : Ciputat Press,2007)
[2] Harun
Asrohah, Sejarah Pendidikan Islam, ix
[3] Bahaking Rama, Sejarah
Pendidikan Islam Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Pada Masa Awal
(Cet.I:Makassar:Alauddin Press,2012), 5
[4] Haidar Putra Daulany
dan Nugraha Pasa, Pendidikan Islam dalam
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[5] Samsul Munir Amin, Sejarah Peradaban Islam,
(Jakarta:Amzah,2010) hal 253
[6] Prof. Dr. H.J. Suyuthi
Pulungan, M.A, Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Jakarta, 2018, Hal. 240
[7] DS Napitupulu, Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban Islam (Sumatera:tahun
2017), hal. 60
[8] Prof. Dr. H.J. Suyuthi
Pulungan, M.A, Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Jakarta, 2018, Hal. 240
[9] Dedi Sahputra N dan
Solihah Titin S, Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban
Islam tahun 2017.hal 249
[10] Dedi Sahputra, Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban Islam(
Sumatera, 2017) hal: 252
[11] Amaliyah,
Eksistensi Pendidikan Islam di Mesir masa
daulah Fatimiyah(Jakarta,
2017)hal.108
[12] Barry, Sejarah Pendidikan Islam. (Tahun 2019)
hal. 4
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