Transforming Islamic Education in Modernity: Reassessing Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s Thought

Penulis

  • Muhammad Zidan Nur Ihsan University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
  • Mutohharun Jinan University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
  • Muh. Nur Rochim Maksum University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Badat Alauddin International Islamic University, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28944/maharot.v9i2.2339

Kata Kunci:

ijtihad, integration of Knowledge, islamic education, Syed Ahmad Khan, thought

Abstrak

This article analyzes Ahmad Khan's educational thought as part of the epistemological reform project in Islamic education in the 19th-century colonial context. Using a literature review approach, this article explores the social background, philosophical foundations, epistemology, methodological goals, and criticisms and limitations of the educational reform initiated by Khan. The results show that Ahmad Khan's educational thinking cannot be reduced to a form of westernization or a pragmatic response to British colonialism. Khan's thinking is rooted in an internal critique of the intellectual stagnation of Muslims triggered by the dichotomy of knowledge, the dominance of taqlid, and the reduction of education to a means of doctrinal transmission. Through the integration of revelation and reason, Ahmad Khan shifted the conflict between religion and science from the theological realm to the methodological, thus opening space for affirming scientific rationality without discarding the role of revelation as a moral and spiritual orientation. However, this article also emphasizes that Khan's integration remains transitional and problematic, due to the lack of a strict methodological framework for defining the limits of intellectual authority and the social limitations on its implementation. Thus, the main contribution of Khan's educational thought lies in opening the crustacean shell for the development of modern Islamic education, not in the order of the final educational model itself, which is ready to be implemented.

Referensi

Abdullah, Moh, and Kusaeri Kusaeri. 2024. “Cultural Transformation of Kiai Leadership in Madura: From Religious Educators to Political Leaders.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16(2):2813–20. doi: 10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.5333.

Alavi, Seema. 2015. Muslim Cosmopolitanism in the Age of Empire. London, England: Harvard University Press.

Alfaruqi, Fuad. 2025. “Metode Studi Islam Komprehensif Tentang Perkembangan Islam Di Indonesia.” Banggona Metulura 1(1):33–43.

Ali, Md Yousuf, and Osman Bakar. 2021. “SYED AHMAD KHAN’S TWIN OBJECTIVES OF EDUCATIONAL REFORMS IN BRITISH INDIA: Muslim Advancement and Hindu-Muslim Unity.” Al-Shajarah: Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought & Civilization 26(1):49. doi: 10.31436/shajarah.v26i1.1226.

Amir, Ahmad Nabil. 2020. “Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan Dan Gerakan Pembaharuan Di Aligarh.” El Buhuth: Borneo Journal of Islamic Studies 2(2):133–42. doi: 10.21093/el-buhuth.v2i2.2288.

Amrullah, Zen. 2021. “GERAKAN ALIGARH DI INDIA (REFLEKSI HISTORIS GERAKAN MODERNISME PENDIDIKAN SAYYID AHMAD KHAN).” TA’LIMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 10(2):40–51. doi: 10.32478/talimuna.v10i2.772.

Andrianor, Andrianor, Ramadhanita Mustika Sari, and Amri Adhitya. 2024. “Institutionalizing Science Integration at UIN Sunan Kalijaga: Insights from Students’ Perspectives.” EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan 22(3):368–86. doi: 10.32729/edukasi.v22i3.1919.

Anwar, Wan Tasya Luthfiah, Haidar Putra Daulay, and Solihah Titin Sumanti. 2025. “Pengaruh Islam Di India Dan Jejak Peninggalan Dinasti Mughal Tahun 1526 - 1858 M.” Indonesian Research Journal on Education 5(1):765–72. doi: 10.31004/irje.v5i1.1705.

Bhat, Ali Muhammad, and Afroz Ahmad Bisati. 2025. “Rationality in the Qur’an: Integrating Reason and Revelation for Contemporary Islamic Education.” Dirasah International Journal of Islamic Studies 3(1):1–17. doi: 10.59373/drs.v3i1.40.

Bus, Yecki. 2015. “SIRSAYYIDAHMAD KHANDAN REKONSTRUKSISME PENDIDIKAN ISLAM ALA INDIA.” Turast : Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengabdian 3(1):57–71.

Darmawan, Ikhsan, Siska Afriany, and Syarifah. 2024. “The Early Umayyad Period: Formation, Political Development, Social Conditions, Religious Affairs, and Civilizational Progress.” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 1(2):53–64. doi: 10.70938/judikis.v1i2.37.

Daulay, Haidar Putra, and Tobroni. 2017. “ISLAMIC EDUCATION IN INDONESIA: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENT AND DYNAMICS.” British Journal of Education 5(13):109–26.

Hadziq, Muhammad Fadhil, and Narul Hasyim Muzad. 2025. “Pembaharuan Pemikiran Islam Di Timur Tengah Dan Asia Selatan Serta Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kemerdekaan Negara-Negara Islam.” Adabuna: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemikiran 4(2):85–108. doi: 10.38073/adabuna.v4i2.2582.

Haque, M. Mohibul, and Khurram. 2022. “Syed Ahmed Khan.” Pp. 293–316 in Reappraising Modern Indian Thought.

Haririe, Muhammad Ruhiyat. 2024. “Resonance Of Reformist-Modernist Islamic Thought in Interpretation and Its Influence on The Development of Interpretation in Indonesia.” Madinah: Jurnal Studi Islam 11(2):313–36. doi: 10.58518/madinah.v11i2.3079.

Hossain, Mohammad Bilal. 2024. “Transformation of Bengal after Arrival of Muslims.” Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Humanities 69(2):175–201. doi: 10.3329/jasbh.v69i2.78646.

Isgandi, Yiyin. 2021. “Model Integrasi Nilai Islam Dan Sains Beserta Implementasinya Di Dunia Islam.” Kalimah: Jurnal Studi Agama Dan Pemikiran Islam 19(1):27–48.

Khan, Bahadur Syed Ahmed. 1862. The Mohammedan Commentary on the Holy Bible.

Khan, Bahadur Syed Ahmed. 1873. The Causes Of The Indian Revolt.

Khan, Bahadur Syed Ahmed. 2005. “Tahzib Al-Akhlaq (M. Ahmad, Ed.).” Oxford University Press.

Khan, Sayyid Ahmad. 1870. “Essays on the Life of Muhammad.” London Tru?bner, Oxford University.

Khudri, Nur Saadah, Tamrin Kamal, Julhadi, Desi Asmaret, and Saifullah Sa. 2025. “REVIEW HISTORIS PENDIDIKAN ISLAM ABAD KE 19.” Jurnal Transformasi Pendidikan Modern / 6(1).

Kolahdoozha, Parastoo, and Hamid Abediha. 2022. “The Discourse of Religious Reform in the Nineteenth Century Subcontinent (Sir Seyyed Ahmad Khan).” Journal of Subcontinent Researches 14(43):189–212. doi: 10.22111/jsr.2021.28057.1877.

Kurniawan, Asep. 2017. “SEJARAH DAMPAK KAJIAN MADRASAH TERHADAP TRANSFORMASI INTELEKTUAL ISLAM MASA KLASIK.” Jurnal Tamaddun: Jurnal Sejarah Dan Kebudayaan Islam 5(1). doi: 10.24235/tamaddun.v5i1.1963.

Lim, Weng Marc. 2024. “What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines.” Australasian Marketing Journal 33(2):199–229. doi: 10.1177/14413582241264619.

Lubis, Abdul Hadi, Edi Yusrianto, and Idris Harun. 2025. “Pemikiran Pendidikan Islam Ibnu Khaldun Dan Muhammad Abduh.” Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan Indonesia, 4(2):330–40. doi: 10.31004/jpion.v4i2.402.

Lubis, M. Iqbal, Ilyas Husti, and Bisri Mustofa. 2023. “Implementasi Konsep Integrasi Islam Dan Sains UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.” At-Tarbiyah Al-Mustamirrah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 4(1). doi: 10.31958/atjpi.v4i1.8605.

Mir, Farina. 2022. “Urdu Ethics Literature and the Diversity of Muslim Thought in Colonial India.” The American Historical Review 127(3):1162–89. doi: 10.1093/ahr/rhac219.

Mir, Khalid Hussain. 2023. “The Resurgence of Islamic Thought: The Reformist Approach of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan.” AL-AFKAR : Journal for Islamic Studies 6(2):12–23. doi: 10.31943/afkarjournal.v6i2.475.

Mujibuddin, M., Universitas Islam Negeri, Mowafg Abrahem Masuwd, and Mochammad Irfan Achfandhy. 2025. “Reform of Islamic Theology in India: Sheikh Waliullah Ad-Dahlawi and Syed Ahmad Khan.” RUSYDIAH: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam 5(2):126–39. doi: 10.35961/rsd.v5i2.1708.

Mun’im, Muhtadi Abdul, and Mamluatul Hasanah. 2025. “Integration of Islamic Education and General Education in Fazlur Rahman’s Thoughts.” LECTURES: Journal of Islamic and Education Studies 4(1):62–78. doi: 10.58355/lectures.v4i1.131.

NURISMAN, Nurisman, and Iqbal Haraka MAHENDRA. 2022. “Dynamic Community And Modern Islamic Applications: The Study Of Muhammad Abduh’s Epistemology.” International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science 3(3):667–90. doi: 10.38142/ijesss.v3i3.269.

Rahman, Abdul, and Nurjannah. 2025. SEJARAH PEMIKIRAN PENDIDIKAN ISLAM. Indonesia: CV. Green Publisher.

Raj, Tilak, Prashant Chauhan, Rashmi Mehrotra, and Meenakshi Sharma. 2022. “Importance of Critical Thinking in Education.” World Journal of English Language 12(3):126–33. doi: 10.5430/wjel.v12n3p126.

Razzaq, Zain, and Rab Nawaz. 2024. “MODERN REFORMS IN THE ISLAMIC THOUGHT WITH REFERENCE TO SCIENCE: A STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT.” Al-Shajarah: Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia (ISTAC-IIUM) 37–57. doi: 10.31436/shajarah.vi.1928.

Robinson, Francis. 2001. The ’Ulama of Farangi Mahall and Islamic Culture in South Asia. London: HURST & COMPANY.

Saefullah, Agus Susilo. 2024. “Ragam Penelitian Kualitatif Berbasis Kepustakaan Pada Studi Agama Dan Keberagamaan Dalam Islam.” Al-Tarbiyah: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Islam 2(4):195–211. doi: 10.59059/al-tarbiyah.v2i4.1428.

Siddiqui, Mujibul Hasan. 2020. Islam and Society. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.

Troll, Christian. 1978. Sayyid Ahmad Khan: A Reinterpretation of Muslim Theology. Vikas Publ. House.

Vila-Henninger, Luis, Claire Dupuy, Virginie Van Ingelgom, Mauro Caprioli, Ferdinand Teuber, Damien Pennetreau, Margherita Bussi, and Cal Le Gall. 2022. “Abductive Coding: Theory Building and Qualitative (Re)Analysis.” Sociological Methods & Research 53(2):968–1001. doi: 10.1177/0049124121106750.

Yadav, Drishti. 2022. “Criteria for Good Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Review.” The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher 31:679–89. doi: 10.1007/s40299-021-00619-0.

Yudha, Gesit, Abdul Aziz, and Isti Arini. 2024. “History of Economic Trade in Islam and Its Influence on International Relations Policy in the Arabian Peninsula.” Jurnal Tapis : Jurnal Teropong Aspirasi Politik Islam 20(2):94–106. doi: 10.24042/tps.v20i2.28846.

Unduhan

Diterbitkan

2025-12-28

Terbitan

Vol 9 No 2 (2025)

Bagian

Articles

Citation Check

Lisensi

Publishing your paper with Maharot : Journal of Islamic Education means that the author or authors retain the copyright in the paper. Maharot granted an exclusive non commercial reuse license by the author(s), but the author(s) are able to put the paper onto a website, distribute it to colleagues, give it to students, use it in your thesis etc, so long as the use is not directed at commercial advantage or toward private monetary gain. The author(s) can reuse the figures and tables and other information contained in their paper published by Maharot in future papers or work without having to ask anyone for permission, provided that the figures, tables or other information that is included in the new paper or work properly references the published paper as the source of the figures, tables or other information, and the new paper or work is not direct at private monetary gain or commercial advantage.

Maharot journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. This journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge & be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Maharot journal Open Access articles are distributed under this Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC). Articles can be read and shared for noncommercial purposes under the following conditions:

  • BY: Attribution must be given to the original source (Attribution)
  • NC: Works may not be used for commercial purposes (Noncommercial)