The Concept of Rote Learning and its Applications in the Teaching and Learning of Qurʾān and Sunnah.

Abstract

Rote learning is characterised as a method of memorising facts, ideas, concepts, or information based on repetition to achieve an outcome of learning. Rote learning (memorisation by repetition) has both benefits and drawbacks, depending on the way it is applied. For instance, when meaningful learning is the goal, remembering becomes a means to an end. Whereas, when the goal is on knowledge acquisition, the focus becomes solely on remembering elements or fragments of knowledge. However, the current Western perspective on rote learning, from the lens of traditional Islamic education, has been unfavourable and misleading. In the West, this method is seen as making the learners passive and susceptible to religious and political indoctrination. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the function of memorisation method as a means to promote meaningful learning, in the teaching and learning of Qurʾān and Sunnah. It also seeks to examine the application of revised taxonomy in the learning of Qurʾān and Sunnah, as well as other related sciences. This is a library-based research, and therefore, qualitative in nature. The researcher employs an intensive and extensive survey of the works relevant to the study. Furthermore, a cursory survey on the application of the revised taxonomy to the learning of Qurʾān and Sunnah and other related sciences was also carried. Findings from this study revealed that memorisation method as applied to Islamic education is not an end in itself, rather a means to an end, i.e. meaningful learning. A thorough examination on the application of revised taxonomy to the learning of Qurʾān and Sunnah and other related sciences would further support this finding.