Incompatible English language content of global EFL course books and textbooks from the Islamic perspective

Abstract EN

This paper aims at highlighting the pervasive trend in many global English-language-teaching course books/textbooks to favour including and propagating English language input or content which promotes a range of ideologies, actions, patterns of conduct, and life styles which are not permissible for a Muslim.

These ideologies, actions, and life styles are prohibited for a Muslim by the rules set by the Qur’an and the Hadeeth (documented authentic sayings and deeds by Prophet Muhammad) which represent the primary sources of legislation for the Muslim individual and the Muslim nation at large.

To highlight this trend, specific examples from several course books/ textbooks are provided.

These examples consist of items, and excerpts from the course books/textbooks inspected for this purpose.

The content of these items and excerpts is contrasted with the system of beliefs and actions approved by Islam as evidenced from the quotations from the Qur'an and the Hadeeth which are provided in the paper.

The paper provides recommendations and suggestions for EFL professionals on how to handle this type of content in their classrooms.