Sejarah perkembangan Al Azhar

Summary

The video explores the history, growth, and development of Al-Azhar during the Ayyubid dynasty. Initially built as a mosque and a center for Shiite teachings under the Fatimid dynasty, Al-Azhar became a hub for education and scholarly discourse. After the Ayyubid conquest, Al-Azhar underwent significant changes, shifting its focus to Sunni Islam. The video highlights key moments in Al-Azhar's evolution, including its role in education and the efforts of prominent figures like Ibn Kilis and Abdul Latif al-Baghdadi, and its continued influence on Islamic scholarship and theology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Al-Azhar Mosque was initially established as a place of worship and a center for spreading Shia teachings by the Fatimid dynasty in 970 CE.
• 😀 The mosque was originally called Al-Khoiroh or Al-Jami' Al-Qahirah, and it was renamed Al-Azhar due to the suggestion of a Fatimid vizier linked to the Caliph's palace or Prophet Muhammad's daughter Fatimah Az-Zahra.
• 😀 Al-Azhar became a center for learning, with initial studies focusing on Shia jurisprudence, led by scholars such as Abu Hasan Nu'man bin Muhammad Alwi.
• 😀 In 988 CE, under the leadership of Khalifah Al-Aziz and vizier Ibn Kilis, Al-Azhar began to take shape as an academic institution, offering studies in Islamic law, literature, and other fields.
• 😀 The Fatimid dynasty's policies supported scholars by providing financial support and resources for academic research, leading to the growth of Al-Azhar as an educational hub.
• 😀 During the reign of the Ayyubid dynasty (beginning in 1171 CE), Al-Azhar's role shifted as it was closed for over a century due to its association with the Shia Fatimids.
• 😀 Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi took control and attempted to convert Al-Azhar into a center for Sunni teachings, marking the beginning of a major shift in the institution’s purpose.
• 😀 Despite the closure, scholars continued to use Al-Azhar for study, and during the Mamluk period, Sultan Malikul Zahir restored Al-Azhar’s role as an educational institution.
• 😀 By the reign of Sultan Malikul Aziz (1193 CE), Al-Azhar was revitalized as a center for Sunni scholarship, with scholars like Abdul Latif Al-Baghdadi teaching a range of subjects including logic, hadith, and medicine.
• 😀 Al-Azhar's role in Sunni scholarship grew significantly under the Ayyubid dynasty, as it became a central institution for teaching and spreading Sunni teachings, with strong support from the ruling Sunni powers.

Q & A

Who founded Al-Azhar and in which year?

Al-Azhar was founded by the commander of the Fatimid dynasty, Jawhar al-Qaid al-Siqili, in 970 CE under the rule of Caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah.

What was Al-Azhar originally built for?

Al-Azhar was originally built as a mosque and a center for spreading Shiite teachings, serving as a symbol of the spiritual leadership of the Islamic community.

How did Al-Azhar's name change over time?

Initially called the Mosque of Al-Khoiroh or Al-Jami' Al-Qahirah, it was later renamed Al-Azhar, possibly due to suggestions by the vizier Hayyaku Bin Al-Qiliss, linking the name to the palace of Caliph Al-Azharah or to Fatimah Az-Zahra, daughter of Prophet Muhammad.

What was the first academic activity in Al-Azhar?

The first academic activity in Al-Azhar involved lectures delivered by Abu Hasan Nu'man bin Muhammad Alwi, the chief judge at the time, focusing on Shiite jurisprudence as explained in the book 'Al-Izhar'.

Who played a key role in developing Al-Azhar into an educational institution?

Ibn Kilis played a key role in the development of Al-Azhar into an educational institution by requesting the Caliph to support and fund 37 jurists who were conducting scholarly studies at the mosque.

How did the Fatimid Caliphate support academic development at Al-Azhar?

The Fatimid Caliphate, particularly under the leadership of Caliph Al-Aziz Billah and his vizier Ibn Kilis, provided financial support and regular stipends to scholars, which contributed to the growth of Al-Azhar as a center for academic and religious learning.

What role did Al-Azhar play under the Ayyubid Dynasty?

Under the Ayyubid Dynasty, Al-Azhar's role shifted. Initially, the Ayyubids, particularly Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, closed Al-Azhar for its previous role in propagating Shiite teachings and instead promoted Sunni teachings.

Why was Al-Azhar closed for nearly 100 years during the Ayyubid period?

Al-Azhar was closed for almost 100 years because the Ayyubid Dynasty, which followed Sunni Islam, sought to distance itself from the Shiite influence of the Fatimid period. The mosque was not used for Friday prayers or academic activities during this time.

How did Al-Azhar revive as an academic institution after its closure?

Al-Azhar was revived as an academic institution under Sultan Malikul Aziz and the scholar Abdul Latif al-Baghdadi, who taught various subjects, including logic, medicine, and Islamic jurisprudence, and reintroduced Sunni teachings to the community.

What was the significance of Al-Azhar during the Ayyubid Dynasty?

During the Ayyubid Dynasty, Al-Azhar became a center for the propagation of Sunni Islam and an important educational institution, fostering the growth of Sunni scholarly activity and providing a strategic platform for defending Sunni teachings.