Islam is generously optimistic about the nature of man, and his ability to change. Throughout its history, the Muslim world has delivered some of the most striking examples of change. From Umar to Malcolm X, the transformation in these Muslims was not restricted merely to their values and beliefs. Rather it extended from the very direction that their new life took, through to every last aspect of their character and conduct. In Islam, this experience of total-person change is driven by the process of Tarbiyah, or ‘training and development’.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, “I was sent for the perfection of character.”

You have indeed in the Messenger of God a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in God and the Final Day…

(The Holy Qur’an 33:21)

God is the Friend and Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. …

(The Holy Qur’an 33:21)

The duties and practices of Islam all help with this continuous Tarbiyah, whether through the discipline of fasting, the regularity of prayers and remembrances of God, or the reading and reflection over the Qur’an. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring and change-provoking experience is Hajj (as witnessed by Malcolm X in his autobiography). And there is also tarbiyah in brotherly support, exhortation and teaching, and the promotion of good through community action, all of which, though sometimes neglected, are integral to Islam.

Fasting: "Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." (The Holy Qur’an 2:184)

Night prayer: "And pray in the small watches of the morning: an additional prayer for you: (for) soon will you Lord raise you to a station of Praise and Glory." (The Holy Qur’an 17:79)

Charity: “ Take some charity from their wealth to purify them and make them grow (spiritually).” (The Holy Qur’an 9:103)

ISB believes that, as an Islamic movement, its members should reflect in their personal lives, some of the ideals that the movement itself aspires to bring about (hence our emphasis on Rabbaniyyah, ‘godliness’).

Tarbiyah in ISB is offered through local study circles, talks, seminars, training sessions, collective tahajjud (night prayer) evenings and national seminars, as well as offering members financial support and encouragement to travel to reputable institutions of learning for more concentrated and formal Islamic education.

Clearly then, Tarbiyah forms a central core of ISB’s work. With this concern in mind, ISB has brought together a Tarbiyah Committee, which provides the following services:

• Two detailed, structured syllabuses, based around defined development outcomes,
• A resource CD, to assist study circle trainers,
• Specialist-run training seminars for local trainers (‘TFTs’),
• Guidance and support for the delivery of training in localities,
• Integration with other projects, such as the Islamic Studies Course.

Perhaps the greater part of the tarbiyah a member receives in ISB is through the rich experience of teamwork, as well as the development in confidence and practical skills that come about, through working for Islam in the myriad of projects that ISB promotes.