Browsing by Author "Tantawi, Bayan binti Muhammad 'Ali"

Taking Al-Ra'd surah as its case study, this paper explores the Qur'anic methodology toward educating people and drawing them out and away from ignorance, particularly in addressing the issue of many people not believing in the Qur'an as the true and final Word of God. From this issue rises the need to guide/instruct people to the true faith, which, in turn, calls for profound understanding of human nature and how the human being is related to his Creator, and for appreciating the gifts of freewill and intellectual faculty and their profound role in finding the right path. Moreover, Al-Ra'd insists on the importance of basing any argument or claim on sound, reliable evidence rather than shaky grounds. Two methodologies have been adopted: the first made an extensive survey of relevant literature, not only choosing those tafsirs on surah Al-Ra'd, but also referring to books on education which discuss the educational aspects of Al-Ra'd; the other methodology taken has been analytical, according to which the researcher has attempted to make useful inferences that are related to educational guidance in Al-Ra'd, extracting such instructions where relevant, along with exploring the most important educational techniques through which these instructions have been delivered. These analyses are based on two main themes in the surah: ( 1 ) the theme of linking faith to human nature; and ( 2 ) the theme insisting on the deep relationship between the right faith and the way we interpret the universe and the world around us. This paper is comprises of three parts: ( 1 ) the first part is introductory and it gives a summary of the general themes in Al-Ra'd, its objectives, and its standing in the Qur'anic educational methodology; ( 2 ) the second discusses the three major educational themes in the surah and implied educational guidance (The first theme is about the relationship between faith and human nature; the second discusses how the right faith coupled with rational contemplation would lead to correct interpretation of the universe and enlightenment about the divine purpose of creation; the third is about the educational techniques employed in the surah); finally, ( 3 ) the paper concludes with findings and suggestions, with evidence suggesting that embracing the Book of God (Qur'an) is imperative to help the ummah out of her current plight.