Thursday, April 3, 2008

Talaqqi method in Islamic Learning

Translated and adapted freely from http://www.kidipm.net/zamihantalaqi.htm (document by Ustaz Haji Zamihan Haji Mat Zin al-Ghari; copyright of Khazanah Diniyah)

Talaqqi learning is Islamic lesson conducted in a halaqah (small group). It is led by a qualified teacher and guided by a certain book in order to attain a certain spiritual status. It covers all aspects of Islamic knowledge in particular aqidah (creed - tauhid), syari’ah (jurispundence - fiqh), and akhlaq (manners - tasawwuf).

Allah inspired wahyu to Rasulullah (saw), who transmitted the knowledge to his companions, who in turn passed it on to the tabi’in, who coveyed it to the tabi’ tabi’in, and to the later generations. This chain was not limited to the content of lesson per se, but also included understanding, practice, and appreciation of the knowledge. This whole process is open and widespread so that there is no room for corruption.

Any deviation or corruption is easily corrected such that we have been left with a clear and true wisdom.

Talaqqi learning consists of 6 main elements:

1. The syaikh (teacher) is thoroughly knowledgable.

2. The syaikh should possess a clear chain of transmission from his syaikh until Rasulullah (saw). This would ensure originality and blessings (barakah).

3. The kitabs used are of consensus among ulama. Kitabs to be used also depend on level of learning. Examples for jurispundence (fiqh) kitabs used in Malaysia:

  1. a. Ibtida’i (preliminary level) : Kitab Perukunan (Book of Pillars), Munyatul Musolli, Safinat al-Naja etc.
  2. b. Thanawi (intermediate level): I’anah al-Tholibin, Kifayah al-Akhyar, al-Iqna’ fi Hal al-Fadz Abi Syuja’.
  3. c. ‘Alli (higher level): Hasyiatan li Umairah wa Qaliubi, Minhaj al-Thalibin, Raudhah al-Talibin etc. Students should be able to derive branch (furu’) rulings based on dalils presented.
  4. All are based on fiqh mazhab Syafi’i and evaluated through methods of Syafi’iyah ulama. Comparative fiqh (between the 4 mazhabs) also taught but not in depth.
4. Students (murid) meaning those who want the knowledge. This group of people should be committed and bound to certain learning manners (adab).

5. Place to accommodate lessons are usually owned by the syaikh. Most of the time facilities are basic due to the limited resources. The place is financed by charity (from the syaikh himself or the surrounding community).
6. Intention of study is to formulate the true muslim from the basis of true understanding.

Among the distinction talaqqi lesson has over other methods are sincerity (both syaikh and murids), length of study, selection of kitabs, and spiritual status of the syaikh.

Talaqqi lessons, as financially-challenged as they are, still gain respect due to the discipline, comprehensiveness, combination of theory and practice, blessings, and formation of good manners.

Talaqqi lesson to South-East Asian nations is like the taproot to a tree. With it, the nations have been able to weather all kinds of storms for many centuries. In Malaysia and Thailand talaqqi lessons are called “pondok”, while in Indonesia “pesantren”. “Zawiyah” and “ribat” could be the names used in other parts of the world.

Wallahu a'lam

9 comments:

  1. salam alaykum,
    do you know where i can find talaqqi teaching in kuala lumpur for shafi fiqh, tajweed and arabic? Unfortunately i only know english and some arabic (i went over ajrumiyyah in grammar)


    jazakallah khair
    sachi
    (please mail at sachiarafat@gmail.com)

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  2. wa alaikumussalam,

    What I know is that all traditional madrasahs (pondok) here teach Shafi'i fiqh. Nahu, sorof, tauhid, tasawwuf are std items.

    Pondok lessons are in Malay/Arabic.I don't know if anybody teach in English though. If you're willing to start from beginning, Malay is not that difficult, because I see Arabs from Egypt, Saudi pick them up pretty quick. (So-called) white people also pick up Malay well enough to be understood.

    General population in M'sia understand English, they're just shy to speak thats all.

    You might want to inquire aljenderami.com.my. They have good facilities but I'm not sure of their student policies.

    islaminus

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  3. Salam,

    You may find it here...

    http://kelasquran.blogspot.com/search/label/Kelas%20Al-Quran

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  4. Thanks, if you’re looking for Arabic teacher (Sheikh Toha from Iraq), you can find it at Kelas Al-Quran Seri Hartamas. You can find the details here.

    http://kelasquran.blogspot.com/search/label/Sri%20Hartamas

    And for English class, if I’m not mistaken, you can go to PERKIM. They also offer the class in other languages as well including in Chinese and Tamil.

    http://kelasquran.blogspot.com/2009/01/kelas-mengaji-al-quran-di-perkim-kuala.html

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  5. I thought Sh Toha has returned back to M.East sometime back? - if they're the same person that is...

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  6. hi..wat is talaqqi Al-Quran? is it the studying of the Al-Quran text?

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  7. assalam. i'm not from islamic school student. however, i would like to appreciate if you can explain further the similarities and differences between inclusive teaching and talaqqi in islamic education view. tq in advance. may Allah bless u,inshaAllah.jazakalahhukhairankathira.

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    Replies
    1. wa'alaikumsalam.
      Fizah, not much I know other than what already listed above.
      Today's schools (secular or not) emphasize more on the "certificate/diploma" to show.
      Not necessarily bad, but certainly the "sincerity" factor is tainted.

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