The Foundations of Islamic Tarbiya
Three domains: Classical Islamic scholarship identified tarbiya in three domains: tarbiyat al-‘aql (cultivation of the intellect — through ‘ilm/knowledge); tarbiyat al-nafs (cultivation of the soul — through akhlaq/character formation and spiritual discipline); tarbiyat al-jism (cultivation of the body — through proper nutrition, rest, and physical training). The Quran’s address to humanity assumes all three dimensions are being cultivated.
The rabb connection: The divine name al-Rabb (the Lord-Cultivator) is the theological ground of tarbiya. Allah is the supreme Rabb who cultivates all of creation in its becoming. Human tarbiya — of children, of students, of oneself — is a participation in this divine cultivation. This is why Islamic pedagogy at its best is not merely instruction but formation.
See also: Akhlaq, Hikmah, Iman And Islam, Al Aql, Al Ghazali, Fitra
The Da’wa’s Tarbiya System
Maktab and madrasa: The Bohra community’s educational infrastructure — from the basic Quran school (maktab) through the advanced religious academy (madrasa al-tarbiya al-diniyya) — provides the structured tarbiya that forms the community’s next generation. The Fatimid Academy (established under the 52nd Da’i) provides university-level education in Ismaili sciences alongside modern curricula.
Majalis al-‘ilm: The da’wa’s majalis al-‘ilm (sessions of knowledge) — regular community gatherings for religious instruction — are the ongoing adult tarbiya system: the formation of the soul does not end at childhood but continues throughout life. The Da’i’s wa’z (religious discourse) is the community’s highest tarbiya event.
See also: Majalis Al Hikmah, Dai Al Mutlaq Institution, Tayyibi Dawat, Dawoodi Bohra, Ilm Al Batin, Understanding Walayah
See also: Akhlaq, Hikmah, Iman And Islam, Al Aql, Al Ghazali, Fitra, Majalis Al Hikmah, Dai Al Mutlaq Institution, Tayyibi Dawat, Dawoodi Bohra, Ilm Al Batin, Understanding Walayah