Al-Hikmah University Journal

Education in all regions or religions undergoes different transitions and changes ranging from ancient, tradition, medieval, modern and even postmodern period. Each stage is underlined with pros and cons, strength and weakness. Islamic education also does not evade transition. It passes four different stages of reformation and restructuring: traditional, modern (or liberalist), reformist and revivalist. Traditional method being the base and fundamental stage of the process offers undeniable foundation for all other stages. Starting with rote learning, then to textbook method, its prime aim is to produce a holistic man-educated and religious. However, different gaps have been identified as the weaknesses or shortcomings of traditional method of education. Being a teacher-centered approach and overdependence on rote learning are some of identified weaknesses of the approach. To break through the liberalists later sought for alternative or modern method which built Muslim education only on the contemporary western thought and worldview. The method as novel as it is only succeeded in de-islamizing the educated class of society and led to weakness and retrogression of Muslim ummah. Then combining the two world view (Islamic and western) in Muslim education through eclectic or Islamization was finally adopted as a way forward. This paper therefore critically examines the strengths and weakness of all the approaches and provides recommendations on how Islamic education content can march the need of the contemporary society.