传统意义上的中国伊斯兰学可以分为两大“派”:经堂教育学派和金陵学派。两大学派源远流长,影响深远。经堂教育学派始于胡登洲,清朝中后期定型;金陵学派始于王岱舆,清朝中后期鼎盛。近代以来,两大学派都逐渐转型,向纵深发展。两大学派地域性特征都不明显,不适合再细分学派。经堂教育学派以教学为主,以阿拉伯文、波斯文为媒介,师徒相传,口授笔录,规范的课程和教材是主流,重在培养伊斯兰经师;金陵学派重视与教外沟通,与社会主流意识对话,个人的思考与创作是主流,重在“变革”——使伊斯兰更加适合中国国情,更能够扎根中国社会。
Traditionally, Islamic studies in China were subdivided into two schools, the school of in-mosque education and Jinling school, both with long history and influence. In-mosque education school began with Imam Hu Deng-zhou, and fixed in late Qing dynasty. Jinling school was founded by Wang Dai-yu, developed in the middle of Qing dynasty. In- mosque education school focused on education with Arabic and Persian languages, which emphasized on the teacher- students apprenticeship, oral dictation and the standardized curriculum and teaching materials as the mainstream. While Jinling school emphasized on the communication and education, dialogue with social mainstream consciousness, individual thinking and creation as the main stream. The Jinling school also focused on" change", which was more suitable for Islam to get adapted into and more deeply rooted Chinese society.