I. INTRODUCTION
The decline of Muslims in their
civilization occurred around 1250 AD until 1500 AD. The decline occurred in all
fields, especially in the field of Islamic Education. In Islamic Education the
decline is partly believed because it originates from the widespread
development of traditional thought patterns.
The existence of this pattern causes the
loss of freedom of thought, the closure of the door of ijtihad, and the direct
result of making the fatwa of past scholars as dogmas that must be accepted
absolutely. When Muslims experience a setback, in the European world instead
they experience a resurgence in pursuit of their backwardness, even able to
crucify the roots of Islamic advances. Science and philosophy thrive in
European places. As a result, if traditional thought patterns developed in the
Islamic world continue to be embedded and thrive, then in their place in
Europe. This is the cause of the drastic shift of the education center from the
Islamic world to Europe. [1]
Since its inception, this city has become
the center of civilization and the rise of science in Islam. That is why Philip
K. Hitti calls it an intellectual city. According to him, among world cities,
Baghdad is a professor of Islamic society. [2] Al-Mansur ordered the
translators of scientific books and literature from foreign languages: India,
old Greece, Byzantium, Persia, and Syria. The interested people of science and
literature soon flocked to the city.
The golden age of Baghdad occurred at the
time of the rule of Kholifah Harun Ar-Rasyid (786-809 AD) and his son Al-Ma'mun
(813-833 AD). From this city radiates the light of Islamic culture and
civilization throughout the world. Political prestige, economic supremacy and
intellectual activity are three features of this city.
II. PROBLEM
a. History of Baghdad City
b. Baghdad as the Center for Civilization,
Science and Economic Activities
c. Fall of Baghdad City
d. The decline of Islamic education after
the fall of Baghdad
e. Islamic Education in a period of decline
III. DISCUSSION
A. History of Baghdad City
The city of Baghdad was founded by the
second Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mansyur (754-755 AD) in 762 AD Located on the banks
of the Tigris river. He commissioned several experts to research and study the
location of Baghdad, there were some who were told to stay in the area to know
the air, land and environment. The city is round, and the walls are built in
large and tall walls. Outside the wall, large trenches were dug up as waterways
and at the same time as fortresses. In this city, there are palaces in the city
center, employee dormitories, the house of the police chief, and the family
home of the caliph. His palace was named Qasruzzabad which had an area of 160 thousand cubits. Made very beautiful by stretching four
main roads out of town. On the left and right of the road, a high rise building
is made. Outside the City of Baghdad, satellite cities were built, such as
Rushafah and Karakh. Both cities are equipped with offices, shops, homes,
parks, ponds and more. Therefore, the City of Baghdad has become a dream city
all over the world. [3]
Originally the city was named
Madinatus Salam (the city of peace), then changed to Baghdad which means the
city of God's grace (given by god). In the construction of this city, the
Caliph employed building experts consisting of architecture, masons,
carpenters, sculptors, painters and others brought in from Syria, Mosul, Basrah
and Kufa. They number around 100,000 people led by Hajjaj bin Artha and Amran
bin Waddlah.
The city whose construction takes 4 years
is round, surrounded by a large and high wall. Outside the walls a trench was
dug into a water channel and a fortress. The city has four gates, namely: Bab
Al-Kufah is located in the southwest, Bab Al-Sham in the northwest, Bab
Al-Basrah in the Southeast and Bab Al-Khurasan in the Northeast. Among each of
these gates was built 28 towers as a place for bodyguards in charge of
supervising the situation outside the city. Above each gate is a resting place
decorated with beautiful and awesome paintings.
In the middle of the city of Baghdad lies
the Caliph's palace which was built with Persian architectural patterns. This
palace is known as "Al-Qashr Al-Dhahab" (Golden Palace). The palace
is equipped with mosque buildings, palace guard rooms, police stations and
castles where the caliph's family lives. Around the palace were built shopping
centers and highways that connected with the city gates. In addition, on the
outskirts of Baghdad city satellite cities were built, such as Rushafah and
Karakh complete with office facilities, housing, shopping centers, parks and
swimming pools. [4]
B. Baghdad as the Center for Civilization,
Science and Economic Activities
Since its inception, the city of Baghdad
has become the center of civilization and the rise of science in Islam. The
Caliph Al-Mansur ordered the translation of scientific books and literary works
from various major countries at that time. Scientists and literature
enthusiasts were invited to Baghdad. That is why this city is known as an
intellectual city and is a professor of Islamic society.
After the death of Al-Mansur, the city of
Baghdad developed rapidly because of its role as the center of the development
of Islamic civilization and culture. Many scientists from various regions came
to this city to explore science. During the reign of the Harun Al-Rashid
Caliphs and Al-Makmun Caliph, Baghdad City reached a peak of progress (golden
age). When Baghdad became the center of the highest civilization and culture in
the world.
Political prestige, economic supermacy and
intellectual activity are three features of this city. Science and literature
are growing very rapidly. Many books of science and literature were translated
into Arabic and developed by Muslim scholars. Among others are :
1. From India a lot of books related to
medicine have been translated. the science of reckoning (arithmetic),
astronomy. music and literature.
2. From Persia, many books are related to
astronomy, law, history, music and literature.
3. From Greece, many books have been
translated that relate to philosophy, mantiq, tatanegara (politics) and
astronomy.
4. From Egypt, many books related to
chemistry and anatomy (biology) were translated.
5. From Kaldani, many books related to
agricultural science have been translated.
In the field of economic development, it
goes hand in hand with political development. During the time of Harun
Al-Rasyid and Al-Ma'mun, trade and industry grew rapidly. The economic life of
the city is supported by three ports which are frequented by international trade
Kholifahs (China, India, Central Asia, Syria, Persia, Egypt and other African
countries), two on Bashrah and Sirat in the Persian Gulf. [5]
As a center of scientific activity, the
Caliph Al-Makmun established a large library called Baitul Hikmah. In this place
the scholars and scientists discuss and conduct religious and scientific
studies. Among the members of the panel of scientists who are active in Baitul
Hikmah are:
1. Bacht Yesyu ', an expert in order
originating from Gergrius.
2. Hunain bin Ishaq Al-Ibadi and two of his
children, Daud bin Hunain and Ishaq bin Hunain, who translated books of
philosophy and order from Greece.
3. Al-Hajjaj bin Mathar who had succeeded
in translating the Al-Magest book by Ptolemius.
4. Tsabit bin Qurrah, who translated many
books of science from Greece, such as mathematics, astronomy, including books
by Archimides.
5. Mankah Al-Hindi, which translates books
of science from Sanskrit (India), especially those related to the science of
order.
6. Abu Yahya Al-Bithriq who translated many
books from Greece, such as Quadripalitum by Ptolemius, Elementa Al Magest by
Euclides and books by Galen, Hippocrates and others.
In addition, many academies, high schools
and madrasas were established. Among these are the Nidhamiyah college founded
by the prime minister Nidhamul Muluk and the Mustanshiriyah college founded by
the Caliph Al-Mustanshir Billah. Abu Hanifah Madrasa and Al-Bashiriyah Madrasa.
Most Madrasas in Baghdad teach fiqh of one school, except the Madrasah
Mustanshiriyah and Al-Bashiriyah which teach four schools (Hanafi, Maliki,
Syafi'i and Hambali).
In the field of literature, the city of
Baghdad is famous for its beautiful and popular work. Among the well-known
literary works is Alf Lila wa, or the story of a thousand nights. In the city
of Baghdad, born and emerged scientists, scholars, philosophers, and Islamic
writers who were notorious, such as al-Khawarizin (astronomer and
mathematician, inventor of algebra), al-kindi (first Arab philosopher), al-Razi
(expert philosopher physics and medicine), al-Farabi (the great philosopher
licked with al-Mu'alim al-Tsani, the second teacher after Aristotle), the three
founders of the school of Islamic law (Abu Hanifah, Shafi'i, and Ahmad bin
Hambal), Al- Ghazali (great philosopher, theologian and Sufi in Islam,
nicknamed Hujjah al-Islam), Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani (founder of the Qadiriyyah
Order) Ibn Muqafa '(great literary), etc. [6]
In harmony with the Abbasid political
stability, the economy developed rapidly, especially in the fields of trade and
industry. This development in the economic field is supported by the trading
ports in Basrah and Sirat in the Persian Gulf which are visited by traders from
China, India, Central Asia, Syria, Egypt and other African countries. Baghdad
City when it became the center of international trade and became a place of
interaction between nations without seeing the differences in religion and
nationality.
C. Fall of Baghdad City
The fall of Baghdad in the hands of Hulagu
Khan in 1250 AD was not only a sign that was the beginning of the end of the
supremacy of the Abbasid Caliphate in its political domination, but had a very
broad impact on the history of Muslims. Because this is the starting point of
the decline of Muslims in the field of Islamic politics and civilization which
for centuries has become the pride of the people. But in addition to the
attack, there were other factors that caused the fall of Baghdad, including:
1. There is unhealthy competition between
several nations gathered in the Abbasid Daula, especially Arabs, Persians and
Yurki.
2. There is a conflict of thought in Islam
which often causes bloody conflicts.
3. The emergence of small dynasties which
liberated themselves from the power of the center in Baghdad.
4. Economic downturn.
Muslims in order to always be able to race
and develop themselves must always innovate and be creative so that they can
achieve integrity and perfection of life. This has at least been the concern of
the rulers or caliphs in the heyday of Islam which lies in the Abbasid Daula's
power, all the ability and attention is devoted to building a civilization,
with Baghdad being made the center of the capital of the government in which
palace and buildings are magnificent with art. Persian Arabic buildings at that
time. [7]
D. Setback of Islamic Education After the
Fall of Baghdad
The total destruction experienced by
Baghdad as centers of education and Islamic culture, marks the collapse of
Islamic education and culture. The destruction of educational institutions and
all science books from the two centers of education in the east and west of the
island world, has also caused a decline in education throughout the Islamic
world, especially in the intellectual and material fields, but not so in the field
of inner and spiritual life. The fall of Baghdad in 1258 AD to the hands of the
Mongols not only ended the Abbasid caliphate there, but also the beginning of a
period of decline in Islamic politics and civilization, because Baghdad as the
center of Islamic culture and civilization which was very rich in the treasures
of science was also gone burned down by the Mongol forces led by Hulagu Khan.
The Mongols originated in the mountainous region of Mongolia which stretched
from Central Asia to North Siberia, South Tibet and West Manchuria and East
Turkistan. Their ancestors were named Alanja Khan, who had two twin sons,
Tatars and Mongols. Both sons gave birth to two great tribes, Mongols and
Tartars. The Mongols had a son named Ilkhan, who gave birth to a Mongol
national leader in the future. [8]
In a very long period of time, the life of
the Mongols remained simple. They set up camps and moved from place to place,
herding goats and living from prey. They also live from the results of
traditional trade, which is exchanging animal skin with other animals, both
among their neighbors and with the Turks and Chinese who are their neighbors.
Like most nomadic people, the Mongols have a rude character, are warlike, and
dare to block death in achieving their desires. However, they are very obedient
to the leader. They embrace Shamanism (Syamanism), worship the stars, and bow
down to the rising sun. The Mongol advancement on a large scale occurred during
the leadership of Yasugi Bahadur Khan. He managed to unite the 13 tribal groups
that existed at that time. After Yasugi died, his 13-year-old son Timujin
appeared as a leader. Within 30 years, he tried to strengthen his army by
uniting the Mongols with other ethnic groups to become an orderly and
formidable force. In 1206 AD, he got the title Genghis Khan, the Mighty King.
He established a law which he called Alyasak or Alyasah, to regulate the lives
of his people. Women have the same obligations as men in the military. The
warfare was divided into several large and small groups, one thousand, two
hundred and ten people. Each group is led by a commander. Thus the Mongols
experienced rapid progress in the military.
All the grandeur, beauty, and greatness of
the city of Baghdad which was first built by the Al-Mansur Khlifah is now only
a memory. Everything seemed to be washed away by the current of the Trigis
River, after the city was burned down by the Mongol army under the leadership
of Huklagu Khan in 1258 AD. All the buildings of the city, the palace of gold
was destroyed. The Mongol forces also demolished the library which was a
storehouse of knowledge and burned books contained in it. In 1400 AD, the city
was also attacked by Eastern Lenk forces, and in 1580 AD by the Safavid army.
The city of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq today, does take the same, but it does
not reflect the progress of old Baghdad at all. [9]
E. Islamic Education in a period of decline
The total destruction experienced by
Baghdad as the center of Islamic education and culture at the time marked the
collapse of Islamic education and culture. The destruction of educational
institutions and all the science books from the center of Islamic education led
to a decline in education throughout the Islamic world, especially in the
intellectual and material fields, but in inner and spiritual life. [10]
As for more details, we will describe the
condition of Islamic education at this time: Lack of attention of leaders
(Caliphs) on the development of knowledge and welfare of scholars. So that
intellectual development is somewhat stagnant. Leaders are too busy thinking
about government.
The burning of existing libraries and
educational institutions, caused many Islamic intellectual treasures to
disappear and burn. The dark and tense atmosphere experienced by the Islamic
world is really concerning. And at the same time, the Europeans were actually
achieving glory as the influence of the development of Renaissance
understanding, and was busy carrying out colonial missions to Islamic
countries. Therefore, many Muslims are frustrated and ultimately try to stay
away from worldly life, including leaving intellectual life. They prefer to
close themselves and live a life as a Sufi. Finally the development of
educational science ceased. Sufi life is growing rapidly. The existing madrasa
madrasa developed into Zawiyat-zawiyat to hold riyadhah under the guidance and
authority of a Shaykh who eventually developed into a tarekat institution. And
in the remaining madrassas, almost the entire curriculum is filled with
Sufistic works. [11]
The development of bid'ah and khurafat
practices. This was marked by the number of Muslims who cult the position of a
Shaykh in a tarekat. To the extent that someone prayed to ask in the grave of a
shaykh.
In the field of jurisprudence, what happens
is that the development of a blind notion among the people. With a static
attitude of life, there are no new discoveries in the field of jurisprudence.
What is already in the old books is considered as something that is standard,
steady, correct, and must be followed and carried out as it is. So that raises
the opinion that "the door of ijtihad is closed". [12]
IV. CONCLUSION
From the explanation above, it can be
concluded that the main cause of the retreat of the Islamic education world was
marked by the collapse of Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid Daula to the
Mongols. It also caused the entire Islamic world to decline. Because Baghdad at
that time served as a mecca for the development of science. Then due to these
conditions, many Muslims are frustrated as a result of their choosing to live a
life as a Sufi, and try to leave intellectual life. Those that were originally
critical and dynamic, contrasted to static.
And from that attitude, it developed to
become blind to the ulama, because for them the door of ijtihad was closed. But
in the other hemisphere it turns out that Europeans are experiencing rapid
progress due to the development of the Renaissance (rebuilding). They have
managed to get out of the domination of church doctrine that occurred during the
Scholastic period (Middle Ages). Therefore, if Muslims want to advance, Muslims
must return to the teachings of the Koran and Sunnah. Islam must also be
critical and independent. And from this incident came the expression. Muslims
advanced because they were close to their religion, while Christians advanced
because they were far from their religion.
V. CLOSING
That is the paper that I can convey. The
speaker realizes that this paper is far from perfection, because perfection
belongs only to Allah SWT. For this reason, constructive suggestions and
criticisms are very much expected for the perfection of this and subsequent
papers.
And finally the speaker apologizes if there
are many mistakes, both in the writing systematics, content in the discussion
and in the matter of delivering the material. Hopefully this paper can be
useful for the pemkalah themselves especially and for the wise readers in
general in this life. Amen.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://yusufrahman.blogdetik.com/2009/02/08/menelusuri-jejak-kota-baghdad/
2. K. Hitti, Philip, Capital Cities Of
Islamic Arabic, (Minneapollis: University Of Minnesota Press, 1973)
Nata, Abudin. History of Islamic Education
- Classical & Middle Period. (Jakarta: Rajawali Press.2004)
Nizar, Samsul. History of Islamic
Education, Tracing the Trace of the History of Education in the Age of the
Prophet to Indonesia. (Jakarta: Kencana. 2007),
5. Syalabi, Prof., Dr, Islamic History and
Culture 3, Alhusna Zikra,
Yatim, Badri. History of Islamic
Civilization, (Jakarta: Rajawali Press. 2006)
Zuhairi, et al, History of Islamic
Education, (Jakarta: Bumi Aksara, 1997)
[1] Samsul Nizar. History of Islamic
Education, Tracing the Trace of the History of Education in the Age of the
Prophet to Indonesia. (Jakarta: Kencana. 2007), pp. 77
[2] Philip K. Hitti, Capital Cities Of
Islamic Arabia, (Minneapollis: University Of Minnesota Press, 1973) pp. 85
[3] Badri Yatim. History of Islamic
Civilization, (Jakarta: Rajawali Pers. 2006) p. 277
[4] Syalabi, Prof., Dr, Islamic History and
Culture 3, Alhusna Zikra, Hal 186
[5] Op. Cit. Badri Yatim. Page 280
[6] Op. Cit. Badri Yatim. P. 279
[7] http://yusufrahman.blogdetik.com/2009/02/08/menelusuri-jejak-kota-baghdad/
[8] Abudin Nata. History of Islamic
Education - Classical & Middle Period. (Jakarta: RajawaliPress.2004) P 56
[9] Op. Cit. Badri Yatim. P. 281
[10] Zuhairi, et al, History of Islamic
Education, (Jakarta: Bumi Aksara, 1997) p. 111
[11] Op. Cit. Samsul Nizar, Hlm. 179
[12] Log. Cit.
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