Establishing the Principle of Compulsory Education in the Islamic Educational Thought through Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali

Abstract

This study aims to uncover the principle of the compulsory education in the field of Islamic educational thought through the intellectual works of Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, and his most known writings, which summarized his educational pedagogical philosophy that has derived from the teachings of Islam. The study revealed that Al-Ghazali has designated the first section of his book, The Revival, to show the advantage and dignity of science, in addition to its high status in Islam as he considers learning and teaching an obligation for every Muslim. To support this, he used a great amount of religious evidence that reinforce the necessity of learning and teaching for Muslims, showing the duties of parents toward their children at a certain age of learning. In addition, he illustrates what he should learn by providing some conditions to be found with every teacher and learner.