A Peek into the PhD Dissertation
Across the Muslim world and especially in Muslim communities in the West, Islamic education faces a silent crisis: students memorize, but do not internalize; they learn facts, but struggle to connect those facts to their lives; they graduate with certificates, but not necessarily with curiosity, conviction, wisdom, or the tools to navigate today’s complex world.
Curriculum renewal is not about adding more books or longer hours. It is about re-aligning what and how we teach with the actual purpose of Islamic education — to nurture whole, God-conscious human beings who can live, lead, and serve with integrity.
From the research, Empowering Young Muslims, several major principles emerge:
- Tarbiyah as the Core
Islamic education is not merely an information transfer but a process of holistic development — nurturing the mind, heart, and character together. The Qur’an and the Sunnah present a model where knowledge is lived, not just learned. - Grounding in Usul al-Din and Maqasid al-Shari‘ah
Curriculum must be anchored in the fundamentals of faith and the higher objectives of the Shari‘ah, so that students see the “why” behind Islamic rulings and values. Without this, faith becomes ritual without meaning. - Transformational, Not Transactional
We need to move from “completing the syllabus” to transforming the learner — building sincerity, responsibility, critical thinking, and a mission-driven life rooted in Qur’anic guidance. - Context Matters
The challenges facing Muslim youth in the West — identity struggles, ideological pressures, digital distraction — require that the curriculum speaks its language, addresses real dilemmas, and offers faith-based solutions. - Integration of Knowledge
The Islamic worldview does not separate “religious” and “worldly” knowledge. A renewed curriculum must integrate Islamic principles into moral decision-making, social engagement, professional life, and community service. - Active and Applied Learning
Memorization has its place, but students also need projects, discussions, problem-solving, and mentorship that connect what they learn to how they live. - Preparing Leaders, Not Just Graduates
Every student should leave Islamic education able to serve — whether as a parent, a professional, a community leader, or a responsible citizen — with the confidence and competence to represent Islam with excellence.
Why it matters now: Without renewal, Islamic education risks producing young Muslims disconnected from their faith, ill-equipped for the pressures of modern life, and unable to contribute meaningfully to society. With renewal, we can graduate a generation who embody knowledge, faith, and action — a generation that is anchored, resilient, and ready to lead.