Development of educational institutions in Islam

Abstract

This work gives a short survey on formation of institutions in which knowledge was acquired and spread, during the Islam history. It mentions an embryo from which all types of such institutions developed : 1. Teaching basic principles of the faith and hadīth which it initiates 2. Khaliph Omar (r.a.). The teaching took place in mosques built in newly liberated areas. The content of these teachings expands during the time and starts including elements of Arabic grammar and literature. The aim was to make the text of Qur’an familiar to those for who the Arabic language is not the mother tongue. From this starting point there came primary schools – maktabs, but also centers of high education – colleges (madrasas). The latter will later develop into first medieval universities. This was inevitably linked with mosques. Also majlises are mentioned as centers of high education. Academies of science are mentioned too. Apart from these ones, educative function belongs to observatories as well. In these institutions lectures in astronomy and sciences relative to it were given, along with research. An exclusive observatory was in Malaga in which almost all sciences were thought. In the Islamic world, significant place for spreading knowledge belonged to hospitals. Their construction started very early. Clinic medicine was thought in there. Finally, Sufi centers should also be attached to education institutions.

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