ISLAMIC TRADITION AND CRITICAL PEDAGOGY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Abstract

The present study is a comparative analysis of the work done in the field of education by famous Brazilian philosopher  Paulo  Freire and the great  Muslim thinker  Al-Ghazali.  The study takes into consideration the philosophical ideas of both. It is determined that Freire ideas of the problem-posing method are a great revolution in the field of education,  based on the experience he got in his society.  On the contrary, Al-Ghazali like other great Muslim thinkers are inspired by the divine source and thus his work is not a  reaction to prevailing political and social conditions.  Therefore,  his work encompasses the true nature of the teaching and learning process. The study suggests that the need of the time is to revive Islamic traditions not only in the field of education but in every field to attain the lost glory of the Muslim period.