Analysing Islamic Values through Student Personal Reading Logs

Abstract

According to Webster (1984), a value is a principle, standard, or quality regarded as worthwhile or desirable. Values are the basis of unity. Without values, people will lead a disastrous life. Each religion emphasizes on the importance of various values. Muslims often claim that Islam is a complete way of life. Muslim scholars believe that Islamic values should be instilled in every discipline including in English Language teaching. English is now unarguably more important than before because it is one of the most important languages in the service-led economy. Reading somehow influences the mind, with or without the author’s intention. After all, short stories are able to persuade readers to view things from various perspectives. Thus, it is important for the students to be able to identify the Islamic values in reading the short stories. With regards to Islamization of knowledge, this research was conducted to explore the Islamic values through student Personal Reading Logs. Data were collected using analysis of Personal Reading Logs written by students of Universiti Teknologi MARA. The findings of the study showed the students’ understanding and ability to discuss intellectually on Islamic values. There are nine recurring themes employed by the Muslim students in response to these texts, namely adab, akhlaq, Arabic terms, hadith and the Quranic verses, stories of the prophets, the Muslim student’s related experience, Islamic history, Islamic practices, and Islamic prohibitions. By infusing Islamic elements in English teaching and learning, the country will be able to produce graduates with not only good English, but also with good manners.