Siti Nursyakirah Yuslan 1 , Muhammad Nur Farhan bin Zamziba 2 *, Imtiyaz Yusuf 3 1,2 International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC-IIUM), Malaysia 3 Center for Contemporary Islamic World (CICW). Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA

This paper explores the educational philosophies of two renowned Malay-Muslim scholars, Za'ba (Zainal Abidin Ahmad, d. 1973) and Hamka (Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, d. 1981). The aim is to study on the similarities and differences in their thought on education. Using content analysis and comparative study, this research examines their ideas as presented in their respective works. Hamka’s educational philosophy is analyzed through his writings, Falsafah Hidup, Lembaga Budi, and Lembaga Hidup, while Za’ba’s ideas are drawn from Jalan Keselamatan bagi Orang-Orang Melayu, Kemiskinan Melayu, and other related texts. The result shows that both scholars emphasized the holistic development of individuals, combining intellectual, physical, and spiritual excellence. Hamka focused on character building to nurture individuals capable of contributing positively to society, while Za'ba emphasized education as a tool for uplifting the Malay community. The paper also highlights their perspectives on integrating Western education with Islamic teachings, their preferred teaching and learning methods, and their approaches to curriculum development. Thus, Hamka's emphasis on individuality character education highlights the importance of personalised learning, critical thinking, and holistic development in modern curricula. Za'ba’s focus on skill-based education and Islamic values highlights the need for fair and culturally relevant education policies.

https://ejournal.uin-malang.ac.id/index.php/abjadia/article/view/29820 (please read full article here)

Introduction

In the field of Malay intellectual history, the works of Hamka (Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah) and Za’aba (Zainal Abidin Ahmad) stand as seminal contributions to educational thought, offering unique perspectives on the role of education in shaping individual and communal identity within the Malay-Muslim cultural context. 

The primary goal of this research is to compare and contrast the educational philosophies of Hamka and Za'aba, with a focus on the following topics: Firstly, their viewpoints on the value of education and its contribution to individual and community development. Secondly, their preferred educational procedures include strategies for teaching, learning, and language. In addition, their philosophies cover both spiritual and secular aspects of education. Lastly, their findings have potential applicability and relevance to present educational challenges in MalayMuslim countries. 

While the educational philosophies of Hamka and Za’ba have been individually studied, there is limited comparative analysis of their thoughts on education within the context of Malay...