Informal Islamic Education and its Role in Human Resource Development in Society: A Theoretical Evaluation

Abstract: This article attempts to focus on Islamic education in the informal setting, its
correspondence with human resource development and the role of this development to create a
sound and balanced environment in society with  moral and spiritual values. Firstly, the paper
addresses education and its function in general and then education from Islamic perspective.
Secondly, it discusses the character of informal Islamic education, the role players of the field of
informal Islamic education, their  status as teachers, the role of  a teacher, the competencies of a
teacher, and teacher - learner relationship in the light of Islamic culture and heritage. Finally, a
proposal on the specific subject of Informal Islamic education and the strategies of imparting it are
presented in the article.
1. Introduction:
Education enlightens people on culture and values. Islam has its own attitude towards
education that education is the instrument by which people can be trained in the Islamic
way of life. It aims at producing human  resources following the Islamic teachings
especially spirituality and morality. The target can be materialised through the different
channels of education, i.e., formal, non-formal and informal. So, Islamic education in the
informal process is not negligible and its role deserves to be considered significant
comparing with that of formal Islamic education. We observe that while formal Islamic
education is imparted, teachers and institutes are engaged and the methodology is applied,
but no technique is usually applied for presenting Islamic teachings though in society a
great number of people with their missionary zeal are dedicated to imparting these in the
informal way. However, these people have the opportunities to apply the teaching
methodology and   technique to carry out their noble duties effectively. Considering this,
the paper emphasises the status of the role players of informal Islamic education,
methodologies and techniques and the certain  aspects of this process of teaching to be
followed by them for developing human resource that surely can play an important role to
build a healthy environment in society.
2. Explanation of Paradigms
a) Education:
Education is a social function. Thus it serves the society which maintains it. Its first and
foremost role is to conserve the existing  culture [and values], by transmitting it from
generation to generation. But an equally important role is to renovate this culture so that
it may keep pace with changing times. As a cultural undertaking, education is, therefore,