Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 47 (2012) 1403 – 1407

CY-ICER 2012

A comparative study of the Islamic scholars' titles during the first

centuries of the islamic era and those of the Islamic scholars at the
today’s universities
Davood Yahyaei a *, Fakhteh Mahini b
a
Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Boushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boushehr, Iran
b
Department of Educational Sciences, Boushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boushehr, Iran

Abstract

Islam is the founder of a glorious culture in the world. It's civilization has various components the most important one of which is
education. Islamic education, especially from the first to the fifth centuries AH, experienced its golden era; it introduced scholars
on Islamic and other sciences to humanity. This paper Used the descriptive - analytical method to compare the scholars' titles
during the first few centuries in the Islamic era with those of the professors in the present time And identify their historical roots.
Academic titles of university teachers such as lecturer or instructor, assistant professor, associate professor and professor are
common today. In the first Islamic centuries muslim scholars also had titles that reflected their scientific positions like Imam,
Amir, Hafiz, Faqih, Rehlah, Mohaddeth, Mosnad, Modarres and Moeed. Studying the related literature, one can find out if it is
possible to compare the scientific and academic titles in that era with today’s titles.
© 2012 Published
© 2012 Publishedby byElsevier
ElsevierLtd.
Ltd.Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Keywords: Islamic Civilization, Islamic Education, Professor, Associate Professor, Modarres, Moeed;

1. Introduction

Islam emerged in the mid-seventh century, the first century AH, in Arabia. Soon, it got a wide
geographical and conceptual range during the Rashedin,Umayyad and the Abbasid caliphs; it included
vast territories with different nationalities in Asia, Africa and even Europe. Thus it brought about a
glorious Islamic culture that was a leading global civilization from the first until the seventh century AH and the era
during which the Mongols invaded the Islamic world. After a short period of transition, a civilization which was
the heir to the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations was able to add a lot of accomplishments to them
and then transfer this great heritage of culture and civilization to the new world civilization.

The language of this culture and civilization was Arabic, its thought Persian, its imagination Hindi, its arms
Turkish, but its heart and soul was Islamic. The light of this culture could be seen allover the Islamic world,
including Medina, Damascus, Baghdad, Ray, Nishapur, Cairo, Cordoba, Gharnath, Konya,
Constantinople, Kabul, Lahore and Delhi. Its home was everywhere but was seen nowhere alone. It was a culture
that was Islamic neither purely Western nor Eastern (Zarrinkoob,1990).

* Davood Yahyaei. Tel.: +98-917-772-4965

E-mail address: DYahyaei@yahoo.com

1877-0428 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Uzunboylu
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.833
1404 Davood Yahyaei and Fakhteh Mahini / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 47 (2012) 1403 – 1407

Having this background in mind, one needs to look for the major parts of this great culture and civilization in its
scientific life; it was not seen in Arabia before Islam, but Islam emphasized science and encouraged the scientists
and Muslims to get familiar with the humanistic culture and science o the ancient nations (Zarrinkoob,1990).Thus,
Islam and its encouraging supports were the basis of Islamic sciences and civilization.

In the scientific life of the Islamic civilization, different subjects including science branches, teaching methods,
principles of philosophy, and history of Islamic education have been discussed. The title of the Islamic scientists is
one of the subjects never discussed or superficially discussed in the sources related to the history of education. This

professors.

ve an M.A/M. Sc
or an equivalent and teach at the universities are called lecturers or instructors; those who have a Ph. D are called
assistant professor, and when they acquire enough executive, education, and research points after certain years, as
mentioned in promotion regulations, they may be promoted to the degree of associate degree. Thus when this person
still acquires more points, after some years he/she will become a professor or full professor, which is the highest
academic rank. In some universities, however, there may be a position as chair which is the same as professor or full
professor.

2. The most important education centers of the Islamic civilization in the early centuries

Yet, having no promotion regulations, it is not an easy job to determine the titles of the scientists and university
teachers during the early centuries of the Islamic era; however, by careful consideration one can guess the equivalent
titles. In order to determine these titles, one needs to study the science and education centers. Chronologically
studying, the most important education centers of the Islamic civilization in the early centuries are: mosque; maktab;
beytolhekma and darolelm; nezamiye university and school.

2.1. Mosque

Ethical and religious principles related to Islam, especially to the Holy Koran, were taught to children and adults in
elementary and advanced levels. These sciences included Arabic literature, the Holy Koran interpretation,
Reading the Koran, the Hadith of the Prophet, history and Sire of the Prophet, jurisprudence and Islamic law,
Islamic theology and the like, all of which were related to Islam in a way or other. Educational system
in mosques was often based on "Ring" and "Majles". The teacher, like the prophet, sat next to
the column in the mosque and others made a ring round him while he was teaching. This type of class was called a
Ring because it was in the shape of a ring, and it was called Majles because it belonged to a certain teacher. Dr Nasr
believes that, besides Maktab, up to the fourth century AH, the main education organization was a Majles called
Majles whose head teacher was often called the "Sheikh"
a variety of theological and philosophical sciences were discussed (Nasr,2006). Among important early Islamic
education mosques were Medina mosque, Masjedolharam, Kufa Mosque, Bahreh Mosque, Umayyad Mosque in
Damascus, and Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo (Dorrani, 2001 & Hojati, 1979).

2.2. Maktab

Little by little Maktabs came into beings along with the mosques in
informally how to read, write and to do a little calculation (Shebeli, 2002). Teachers of these Maktabs were called
called
In recent periods, he has also been called Iran. We are not sure if there was ay
 Davood Yahyaei and Fakhteh Mahini / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 47 (2012) 1403 – 1407 1405

three centuries AH
task of educating the children of Khalifs and Amirs (Kasayi, 1995).

2.3. Beytolhekma and Darolelm

Beytolhekma and Darolelm were science and research institutes at which a group of scholars and translators of
scientific but non-Islamic fields, dealt with research and translations. These sciences included
philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. The first Beytolhekma was established in the late second and
early third century AH in Baghdad; it was the most active during the rein of the Abbasid Caliph, Mamoun. We do
not have accurate information about the titles of these translators and scholars; we, however, know that
the translators were Syriac Christians, who were often physicians, philosophers, astronomers, and mathematicians.
Of the most important translation centers one can name Alexandria in Egypt, Antakia in Sham, Haran,
Nasybiyeh, Jundishapur in Iran, and Beytolhekma in Baghdad (Jamily, 2006 & Oliry, 1963).

2.4. Nezamiye University and School

In the fourth century AH, schools were run privately, without government supervision, and without an identical
system and method. But from the mid-fifth century, a lot of Nezamiye universities and schools with the same system
were established by Nizamolmolk of Seljuk, the powerful Seljuk minister, in the Muslim world; these schools and
universities were supervised by the government. These schools were established to spread Shafei, as a religion
against the propaganda of the Ismaili Fatimids; the cost of these schools came from Waqf, and they were directly
administered under the supervision of the Minister. (Kasayi, 1995 & Ghonaymah, 1993).

3. Scientific titles in Nezamiye schools

Discussing scientific titles in Nezamiye schools, various views have been presented. Doctor Ghanimeh cites
this title to order from higher to the lower ranks as follows:

3.1. Imam: It was among the highest academic titles connoting a sense of leadership in religious sciences for the
person. Professor Gibb considers this title as an equivalent for Doctor (Gibb, 1994). It seems that Imam is higher
than Doctor, for Doctor is an academic degree in just one field; Imam, however, has been an intellectual and literary
leadership among people (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

3.2. Amiralmomenin: It was a title given to great hadith experts and hadith masters (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

3.3. Hafez: It was also a title given to great scholars of Hadith (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

3.4. Faqih: It was also a title given to the students and teachers of Religious Sciences, but it often referred to a
teacher of Religious Sciences (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

3.5. Rehlah: in the history of education it not only refers to field trips but it was also given to the great and well-
known experts in Religious Sciences to whom people went from different regions in order to aquire knowledge and
grace (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

3.6. Mohaddeth: It was also a title given to a scientist specialized in studying the hadith of the
Prophet (Ghonaymeh, 1993).
1406 Davood Yahyaei and Fakhteh Mahini / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 47 (2012) 1403 – 1407

3.7. Mosnad: this is the lowest title among the scholars expert in Hadith. It refers to a person who narrates the
Hadith based on his own documents (Ghonaymeh, 1993).

As it was mentioned, these titles refer to scientists specialized in Hadith sciences; they do not include other

(Nakhostin, 1988). It seems

believe that if the word Modarres had been used, without adding anything to it, it referred to a professor in religious
jurisprudence, the term Sheikh was used to refer to those who were specialized in other sciences, including religious
or non- ear if he was an expert in Hadith,
Sufism, or medicine.By the end of the fourth century, scholars and scientists were included among the people of
ong
the scientists, proving how great the position of the teachers, scholars, and scientists (Metz, 1985).

felt totally free to choose their teachers, and were, thus, deeply followers of the selected teacher. By establishing
Nezamiye, people needed to meet some conditions in order to teach, so all people were not allowed to teach
(Ghonaymeh, 1993). Besides their scientific, ethical, and their professional competence, teachers were expected to
have faith in Shafei (Kasayi, 1995). Teachers and students were obliged to be Shafei in religion, for schools had
been established to meet this end.

By studying the history of Islamic education closely, one can easily notice the high position of a teacher. Sometimes
a teacher was regarded so high that a scholar without a teacher was compared to an atheist or a person misled by
Satan (Ebne Jama'at, 2005). Janahmadi, borrowing from Metz, distinguishes, in a realistic way, between three
groups of teachers at mosques or Maktabs, private teachers or Moaddebs, and teachers at schools and universities;
this is due to the fact that these three groups have been viewed differently in Islamic literature (Janahmadi, 2008 &
Metz,1985).

Dr. Nasr belives that in the first few centuries AH, a Modarres at Nezamiye schools and universities was almost the

professors at modern universities (Nasr, 2006). Anyone who liked to be a Modarres had to experience a Moeed
secretary period. Sometimes a Moeed replaced a Modarres at school or university. For example, at Salahiyeh School
in Egypt, ten Moeeds managed it without an Ostad (professor) for 30 years (Janahmadi, 2008).

stood on his sides. The teacher started teaching in a dignified way, and the students (Tollab) sat next to his chair,
listening to what the teacher (Ostad) taught (Kasayi, 1995).

Besides the above- is the

central figure in both Islamic and non-Islamic sciences in which the unity of sciences can be seen. There have been
scientists in the Islamic world that had publications in different fields. Dr Nasr, in his book Science and
Civilization in Islam, calls these scientists as the Islamic world figures. There he names about thirty scientists,
including Khwarizmi, Razi, Farabi, Masoudi, Avicenna, Biruni, Al-Ghazali, Omar Khayyam, Ibn
Roshd,Tusi, Ibn Khaldun (Nasr, 2006).
 Davood Yahyaei and Fakhteh Mahini / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 47 (2012) 1403 – 1407 1407

4. Conclusion

According to what was said before, a number of different titles were employed in Nezamiye schools
and universities in the first centuries of Islamic era. Some of
these titles like Imam, Amiralmomenin, Hafiz, Faqih, Rehleh ,Mohaddes, and Mosnad belonged to the
Hadith scientists and are not applicable to modern university titles, including all sciences. Some other titles like
Moallem, Mokatteb, and Moaddeb were specifically used for those who taught at Maktabs. They taught young
people how to recite the Holy Koran, how to read and write. Hakim was also a title that was used for a scientist in
the Islamic era who was an expert in various sciences like mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and so

Among Islamic , Modarres or Sheikh can be an approximate equivalent

professor or full professor. The next title was vice Modarres that can be an approximate equivalent for
associate professors. After that, Moeed or vice professor should be mentioned which is an approximate
equivalent for assistant professor in the university system today.

References

Ahmad, M. (1985). Nahade Amoozeshe Eslami, Translation by Saket, M.H, Tehran: Daftare Nashre Farhange Eslami.

Almasi, A.M. (2000). Tarikhe Amoozesh va Parvareshe Eslam va Iran, Tehran: Amirkabir.

Dorrani, K. (2001). Tarikhe Amoozesh va Parvareshe Iran qabl va bad az Eslam, Tehran: Samt.

Ebne Jama'at, B, Mohammaebne Ebrahim (2005). Tazkerata Alsame va Almotakallem fi Adab Alalem va Almotallam, Beirut: Darolkotob
Alelmiyah.

Ghonaymah, A. (1993). Tarikhe Daneshgahaye Bozorg Eslami, Translation by Kasayi, N, Tehran: Tehran University.

Gibb, H.A.R. (1994). Mohammedanismn, London,.

Hojati, M.B. (1979). Eslam va Nezame Talim va Tarbiat, Tehran: Daftare Nashre Farhange Eslami.

Jamili, R. (2006). Nehzate Tarjome dar Sharq Jahane Eslam dar Qarne Sevom va Chaharom Hejri, Translation by Ayenevand, S, Tehran: Samt.
Janahmadi, F. (2008). Tarikh va Farhange Tamaddone Eslami, Tehran: Ma'aref.

Kasayi, N. (1995). Madarese Nezamiye va Tasirate Elmi va Ejtemayi an, Tehran: Amirkabir.

Metz, A. (1985). Tamadone Eslami dar Qarne Chaharome Hejri, Translation by Zekavati Qaragoozlu, A, Tehran: Amirkabir.

Moqadisi, G. (2000). Madares dar Daneshgahaye Eslami dar Qoroune Vosta, Translation by A group of authors Under the supervision Mojtahedi,
K, Tehran: Pajooheshgah Oloume Ensani va Motaleate Farhangi.

Nakhostin, M. (1988). Tarikhe Sarcheshmehaye Eslami Amoozesh va Parvareshe Qarb, Translation by Zahiri, A, Mashad: Astane Qodse Razavi.,

Nasr, S.H. (2006). Elm va Tamadon dar Eslam,Translation by Aram, A, Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi.

Oliry, D.O. (1963). Enteqale Olume Yonani be Alame Eslam, Translation by Aram, A, Tehran: Tehran University.

Shebeli, A. (2002). Tarikhe Amoozesh dar Eslam, Translation by Saket, M.H, Tehran: Daftare Nashre Farhange Eslami.

Zarrinkoob, A. (1990). Karname Eslam, Tehran: Amirkabir.

Zavabeti, M. (1980). Pajooheshi dar Nezame Talabegi, Tehran: Bongahe Tarjome va Nashre Ketab.