Taffakur : The Awakening Programme
Our Aim
Taffakur is the awakening programme of The Ivy House. Its aim is not merely thinking, reflection and discussion, but awakening: awakening our pupils to themselves, to their Creator, to their history, to their reality and to their
responsibility.
The Qur'an repeatedly calls human beings to reflect, to reason and to contemplate, and it honours the people of understanding, ulul albab. Taffakur takes up that call and makes reflection a normal habit of school life. This policy sets out what the programme is, why it exists and how it is organised, taught, assessed and reviewed. Taffakur is distinct from Islamic Studies and from Tazkiyah. Where those subjects teach and form directly, Taffakur proceeds by enquiry, so that understanding is reached through reflection and reasoned dialogue rather than simply received.
Through Taffakur, our pupils will:
• Awaken to themselves, to their Creator, to their history, to their reality and to their responsibility
• Reflect deeply and reason carefully
• Ask meaningful questions and recognise assumptions
• Observe and reflect upon the signs of Allah
• Practise muhasabah, honest self accountability before Allah
• Articulate an informed Islamic worldview.
• Develop wisdom discernment and purpose.
• Contribute responsibly to their communities and to the wider societies.
