Sunday, March 25, 2018
Teaching English for Islamic Studies
Teaching English for Islamic Studies is somehow challenging, particularly for teachers. The teachers, let's say, are hired only based on their expertise on the language—not the content. So, teachers coming to the classroom can be challenged by the students. Sounds scary, right?
Teaching Reading for Islamic Studies Students
However, our teaching and learning today is worth sharing. In the two previous meeting, I assigned students to have a group presentation and already decided topics for each—this is the time when teachers can enjoy the life; sitting while paying attention on the running discussion. The presentation must be organized following this outline: (1) Definition of Topic; (2) Authentic Sources (must be derived from the Qur’an, Hadits, and the credible scholars such as the opinion of the four Imams and Hadits from Bukhari and Muslim; (3) Explanation derived from the source; (4) Social phenomena regarding to the topic; and finally the (5) Conclusion.
The first presenters on the akhwat (female) side discussed the rule of hijab for Muslim women; yes it is compulsory for every Muslimah to cover their body, except the face and palms. The second, still with the akhwat group, they delivered the ruling on shaking hands between man and woman in Islam. There are two opinions from the scholars, but the strongest one is based on the narration of Bukhari and Muslim stating that it is unlawful to shake hands between the non mahram. One last one, the last presenters for today discussed the ruling on wearing gold for man. Referring to the Hadits, the presenters summed up that our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) once prohibited the companions to wear a ring made of gold. Soon they finished the presentation, one male student seemed eager to ask question then struggled to have it said in English. “There was a Hadits saying that the Prophet forbade the companions to wear a golden ring, but WHY do you think he said so, is there any scientific proof to that statement?”
Listening to that question, I tensed, I had no idea why. Maybe that’s normal question from a sophomore student but for me it just didn’t seem right.
In regards to the ruling of religion, we Muslims, often have such question, Why, Why, and Why as if the logic is the supreme reference. Islam means submission to the will of our Lord, the Creator of you and I, He is the Most Know, He has all knowledge, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. Through Hadith, Allah had inspired the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) with His words—revelation. It is a test whether we really believe in the words of Allah (Qur’an) and also to the Message of the Prophet (Hadith). If we still believe in the first, then we should question on our declaration of faith (shahadah).
Teacher's Control in Teaching English for Islamic Studies
The first presenters on the akhwat (female) side discussed the rule of hijab for Muslim women; yes it is compulsory for every Muslimah to cover their body, except the face and palms. The second, still with the akhwat group, they delivered the ruling on shaking hands between man and woman in Islam. There are two opinions from the scholars, but the strongest one is based on the narration of Bukhari and Muslim stating that it is unlawful to shake hands between the non mahram. One last one, the last presenters for today discussed the ruling on wearing gold for man. Referring to the Hadits, the presenters summed up that our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) once prohibited the companions to wear a ring made of gold. Soon they finished the presentation, one male student seemed eager to ask question then struggled to have it said in English. “There was a Hadits saying that the Prophet forbade the companions to wear a golden ring, but WHY do you think he said so, is there any scientific proof to that statement?”
Listening to that question, I tensed, I had no idea why. Maybe that’s normal question from a sophomore student but for me it just didn’t seem right.
In regards to the ruling of religion, we Muslims, often have such question, Why, Why, and Why as if the logic is the supreme reference. Islam means submission to the will of our Lord, the Creator of you and I, He is the Most Know, He has all knowledge, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. Through Hadith, Allah had inspired the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) with His words—revelation. It is a test whether we really believe in the words of Allah (Qur’an) and also to the Message of the Prophet (Hadith). If we still believe in the first, then we should question on our declaration of faith (shahadah).
Teacher's Control in Teaching English for Islamic Studies
In the very end session, I took my role. Here is the analogy I offered. For example, you are the big boss in a company, let say you are the CEO, you are the superior being in the office and you have many staff. One day, one of your staff gives you a command, “Hey, dear boss, you are not allowed to wear a golden ring, it is unlawful!” Listening to this, you may get mad, and yes you have to ask him the WHY-question. But, if the command is from your Prophet, the one more superior than yourselves, you MUST NOT question. Upon listening to the ruling, a faithful Muslim will say, “We listen, then we obey (sami’na wa atho’na)” instead of saying WHY.
After the Quran been revealed 1400 years ago, there are now some scientific proofs revealing the truth of some rulings. It also happens in the Hadist, the modern science found, the life of our Prophet is congruent to modern life. In health science for instance, it is discovered that sitting is the best position when drinking; regular fasting is good for digestion, and also man wears gold can suffer his health particularly on his urine and blood system.
Well, those are the scientific proofs. However, we need to check our intention; do we really perform the action because of knowing the scientific proof or following the teaching of Prophet?
In the end, I asked, "Any one knows what's the difference between Sharia for the Muslim and Sharia for the Jews?"...but none could give their views. It is known that Sharia for the Muslim are for the sake of their goodness, but the Sharia for the Jews are for punishment.
After the Quran been revealed 1400 years ago, there are now some scientific proofs revealing the truth of some rulings. It also happens in the Hadist, the modern science found, the life of our Prophet is congruent to modern life. In health science for instance, it is discovered that sitting is the best position when drinking; regular fasting is good for digestion, and also man wears gold can suffer his health particularly on his urine and blood system.
Well, those are the scientific proofs. However, we need to check our intention; do we really perform the action because of knowing the scientific proof or following the teaching of Prophet?
In the end, I asked, "Any one knows what's the difference between Sharia for the Muslim and Sharia for the Jews?"...but none could give their views. It is known that Sharia for the Muslim are for the sake of their goodness, but the Sharia for the Jews are for punishment.