The Role of Women in the History of Islamic Education (Examining Educational Concepts from a Montessori Perspective)

Abstract

This article aims to examine the role of women in the history of Islamic education and analyze its conformity with the principles of Montessori education. The research approach used is descriptive qualitative with a literature study method, which focuses on reviewing literature on the history of Islamic education, biographies of Muslim women figures, and Montessori pedagogical theory. The research results show that women have actively contributed to the development of Islamic education since the beginning, both as students, teachers and founders of educational institutions. Figures such as Aisyah RA, Fatimah al-Fihri, and Zainab bint al-Kamal show that women play a strategic role in the transmission of Islamic knowledge. Furthermore, it was found that the educational values ​​applied by women in Islamic history—such as experience-based learning, character formation, and a humanistic approach—were closely related to Montessori principles. This research concludes that integrating the values ​​of Islamic women's education with the Montessori approach can be an important strategy in designing an Islamic education system that is inclusive, spiritual and gender equitable. This article recommends the need to revitalize the role of women in Islamic education as part of an educational system update that is relevant to the challenges of the times.