The Value and Status of a Teacher in Islam

Respected brethren! In Islam, a teacher holds immense value and status. Teaching people and nurturing them is the mission of the noble Prophets. To gauge the status and rank of a teacher in Islam, one can understand from the fact that Allah, the Lord of the worlds ﷻ, sent His Beloved, the Chief of all Prophets ﷺ, into this world as the Teacher of the Universe; so that He may teach us the Book and Wisdom, make us aware of those secrets and mysteries we did not know, and purify us. Allah the Almighty says:

“We have sent among you a Messenger from yourselves, who recites to you Our verses, purifies you, and teaches you the Book and Wisdom, and teaches you what you did not know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:151)

The Creator of the Universe ﷻ, mentioning the Prophet ﷺ as a teacher, says in another instance:

“It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and Wisdom, although they were before in clear error.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:2)

The Prophet is the Teacher of the Universe

Brothers in Islam! The Crown of Prophethood ﷺ was sent into this world as a teacher. Sayyidna Abdullah bin Amr ﷺ narrates that the Master of the Universe ﷺ said:

“I have been sent as a teacher.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Sayyidna Jabir bin Abdullah ﷺ narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Indeed, Allah did not send me to cause difficulty or to seek difficulty, but He sent me as a teacher and to make things easy.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Teacher is a Spiritual Father

Honorable assembly! A teacher is a spiritual father. He educates and nurtures us and teaches us how to live in society. This is why in a Hadith, his status has been equated to that of a father. Sayyidna Abu Hurairah ﷺ narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“I am for you like a father; I teach you.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)

This means, just as a biological father teaches his child to distinguish between good and bad and strives to make him a useful member of society, similarly, a teacher holds the same feelings for his students and helps them become good human beings!

He is our guide, our companion, our sympathizer,
These teachers are the builders of our nations.

The Teacher is the Greatest Giver

Dear friends! A teacher first acquires knowledge himself, then attains the privilege of spreading it. Such a person has been declared the greatest giver in the Hadith. Sayyidna Anas bin Malik ﷺ narrates that the Master of the Universe ﷺ said:

“And the most generous of them after me is a man who acquired knowledge and then disseminated it.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat)

The Best Deed in the Field of Education

Dear brother! The best deed in the teaching profession is to learn and teach the Holy Quran and religious sciences. Amir al-Mu’minin Sayyidna Uthman bin Affan ﷺ narrates that the Master of the Universe ﷺ said:

“The best among you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Learner and Teacher are under the Shade of Divine Mercy

Honorable dignitaries! Those who learn and teach religious knowledge (i.e., the religious scholar, teacher, and religious student) are under the shade of Divine Mercy. Sayyidna Abu Hurairah ﷺ narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Behold! The world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah and what is connected to it, and a scholar or a learner.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

Some Islamic Etiquettes Related to the Teacher

My respected brothers! The status and rank of a teacher are very high. Therefore, a student should:

• Respect his teacher.
• Behave with him with good conduct.
• Avoid even the slightest disrespect towards him.
• Sit before him with etiquette and decency.
• Not raise his voice while speaking to him.
• Avoid talking amongst themselves during class in front of the teacher.
• If someone speaks ill of the teacher, the student should defend him.
• If someone asks a question in the teacher’s presence, the student should not attempt to answer before the teacher.
• Not leave the class without the teacher’s permission.
• And avoid arguing and disputing with him.

The school teacher is a builder,
Whose craft is the human soul.
A heartfelt point for you,
Was said by Hakim Qaani:
“Do not build a wall before the sun,
If you desire the courtyard of your house to be luminous.”

(Meaning: The teacher is like a builder. The only difference is that a builder constructs buildings, while a teacher refines, polishes a person’s character, and provides spiritual training. Building a person’s character and spiritual training is a far more difficult task than constructing buildings. Hakim Qaani beautifully expressed this point: “If you want your house to be bright, never build a wall in front of the sun.” Meaning, if you desire personal development and character building, do not turn away from the teacher’s guidance; rather, strive to acquire as much knowledge as possible from him!)

A Few Sayings of the Pious Predecessors Regarding Respect for Teachers

Companions of the Islamic Ummah! What was the conduct of our predecessors and pious elders regarding the respect for teachers? A few of their sayings are as follows:

1. Sayyidna Ali al-Murtaza ﷺ said: “I am the slave of whoever taught me a single letter. He can sell me, free me, or keep me as a slave.”
2. Sayyidna Imam Abu Hanifah رضی اللہ عنہ said: “I pray for forgiveness for my respected teacher and my parents together.” And he also said, “I never stretched my feet towards my teacher’s house, even though there are seven streets between my house and my teacher’s house. And I seek forgiveness for everyone from whom I learned something or who taught me.”
3. Sayyidna Imam Shubah bin al-Hajjaj رحمہُ اللہ said: “Whoever taught me one Hadith, I am his slave.”
4. The author of the famous Hanafi jurisprudence book “Al-Hidayah,” Sheikh al-Islam Burhan al-Din al-Marghinani رحمہُ اللہ, narrates that one of the Imams of Bukhara would repeatedly stand up during his lesson. When the students asked the reason, he said, “My teacher’s son comes playing with other children in the street. When he passes in front of the mosque door, I stand up out of respect for my teacher.”
5. Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Ansabindi , who held the position of “Ra’is al-A’immah” in Marw and was highly respected by the Sultan of the time, used to say, “I attained this respect and status due to the blessing of serving and respecting my teacher.”

The Role and Responsibilities of Teachers in Societal Development

Respected dear ones! A teacher is a fountainhead of knowledge. The role of teachers in the development and progress of society and the education and upbringing of the new generation is of great importance. Therefore, teachers should not neglect the character building and training of students for the construction of humanity and should pay special attention to the following matters:

1. Emulating the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:

The Teacher of the Universe ﷺ adopted various methods and styles to provide high moral education and training to Muslims and to create unity in their knowledge and practice. He conveyed the universal message of Tawhid and Risalah in the simplest manner and meaning, and before ordering anything, He Himself presented its practical example. Therefore, teachers should always follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ, whether in matters of teaching and learning or any other matter; for Allah, the Lord of the worlds, has commanded the Muslim Ummah to follow the Noble Prophet ﷺ:

“You have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21)

2. Performing the Duty of Teaching in the Best Manner:

Honorable assembly! Mustafa, the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ, is the best teacher in the universe, and His teaching method is magnificent and unique. In this regard, Sayyidna Mu’awiyah bin al-Hakam al-Sulmi ﷺ said:

“By my father and mother! I have never seen a teacher before him or after him who taught better than him.” (Sahih Muslim)

Therefore, teachers should perform the duty of teaching in the best and most comprehensible manner so that students can understand easily, face no difficulty, and the points taught by the teacher are ingrained in their minds.

3. The Purpose of Education is Not Just Awareness of Modern Sciences:

Respected dear ones! The purpose of education should not be merely awareness of modern sciences and obtaining a good job. Therefore, the teacher should make his students useful members of society, provide them with good education and upbringing, and, being a good teacher, also fulfill the right of being the best mentor and guardian.

4. Demonstrating Gentleness and Compassion:

Honorable dignitaries! A good teacher is not only responsible for teaching textbooks but must also morally train his students, correct them on their mistakes, and, when necessary, reprimand them. However, excessive strictness and beating should be avoided, and gentleness and compassion should be demonstrated. Sayyidna Abu Sa’id al-Khudri ﷺ narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Acquire knowledge, and learn for it tranquility and dignity. Be humble with those from whom you learn and those whom you teach. And do not be tyrannical scholars.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Awsat)

5. The Growing Trend of Career Building Among Students:

Honorable assembly! In the present era, the trend of career building among students is increasing rapidly, and they are moving away from the primary objectives of seeking knowledge, such as the fear of God, following the Sunnah, piety and abstinence, trustworthiness and honesty, the Hereafter and Resurrection, and the Day of Reckoning, etc. In these circumstances, the responsibility of teachers increases further. Therefore, they should always be concerned about the character building of their students, continually advise them to avoid materialism, and, alongside making them doctors, engineers, scientists, politicians, professors, teachers, and philosophers, consider it their duty to fully teach them to be good human beings. They should also strongly advise them to adhere to trustworthiness, piety, and the observance of prayers, fasting, and other obligatory duties.

The Demands of the Position

Respected dear ones! The present era is the era of the Internet and Social Media. Most of our young generation’s time is spent watching obscene and shameless movies and dramas on Facebook and YouTube, and listening to music. Therefore, all the moral evils and shortcomings found in the young generation cannot be entirely blamed on the teachers. However, despite all this, those associated with the teaching profession bear a great responsibility. Therefore, they should understand the demands of their position, thoroughly assess their shortcomings while being fully aware of their responsibility, and play their role well in the development and progress of Muslim society and the moral training of the young generation. They should familiarize them with religious teachings, advise them to respect their parents, make them understand the difference between Halal and Haram, make them aware of the importance of the Rights of Allah and the rights of His servants, make the youth useful members of society, give them the lesson of religious zeal and fervor, make them aware of the importance, obligation, and benefits of Jihad, instill in them the thought of helping their oppressed Muslim brothers all over the world, including Palestine and Kashmir, advise them to guard the honor and dignity of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and create in them the passion to sacrifice everything for the protection of the honor of the Prophet ﷺ!

Furthermore, “the teachers, professors, and lecturers in our schools, colleges, universities, and religious seminaries should adopt the unique teaching and learning method of the Prophet ﷺ in their teaching methodology. They should not be content with merely delivering the text of the syllabus books. They should do justice to this prophetic duty with full sincerity, fulfill the demands of this responsibility, create in students the passion and zeal for seeking knowledge, especially religious education, try to explain lessons through various activities and examples, and try to test and enhance their mental capacity and ability through question-answer and logical reasoning. If a student asks a question, they should not silence him by scolding him or using the excuse of lack of time; rather, they should try to explain it to him again with gentleness, compassion, and love. Repeat the most important point in the lecture three times so that the students memorize it right there and do not need to cram it later.”

The Difference Between a Traditional Teacher and a Mentor Teacher

Companions of the Islamic Ummah! A teacher performs the duty of educating and nurturing the new generation. This is why the teacher is held in high esteem and respect in the nation and religion. But it is said with great regret that today this position has become merely an ordinary profession and a means of earning money, instead of a duty. Large schools have been established everywhere in the name of good education, but Western culture and ideas are being promoted there in the name of education. Holi and Diwali are celebrated; Christmas and Halloween events are held. As a result, our new generation is becoming distant and unfamiliar with Islamic teachings.

The biggest reason for this deterioration is those traditional teachers who have no concern for the education, upbringing, and character building of children. They do this job considering it merely an employment. They are concerned about their salary at the end of the month. They have no concern whether the children are paying attention to their studies or not, whether they are memorizing their lessons or not, or what kind of negative activities they are involved in. According to Islamic teachings, a teacher is a mentor, guardian, and supporter, and his position is very high, and his responsibility is very important!

Remember! In Islam, the responsibility of a teacher is not limited to making students memorize lessons; rather, it is also obligatory upon him to familiarize his students with Islamic teachings, advise them about obligatory duties, and himself be adherent to these things. He should pray with them, keep fasts, and present himself as a role model so that, seeing the teacher, the students also develop the passion to act and emerge as good Muslims.

Furthermore, it is also obligatory upon the teacher to instill in students hatred for moral evils and major sins such as lying, backbiting, envy, breach of promise, short measures, bribery, usury, alcohol consumption, and fornication. He should make them aware of the worldly and otherworldly harms of these evils, recite to them the warnings mentioned in the Quran and Hadith regarding these sins, advise them to obey Allah and His Messenger, create in their hearts the passion to fulfill the Rights of Allah and the rights of His servants, and make them aware of its worldly benefits and the reward and recompense to be received in the Hereafter, and the blessings of Paradise.

The Mentor Teacher is the Leader and Guide of the Nation

Dear friends! A mentor teacher is the leader and guide of the nation. He nurtures the new generation and keeps them connected to the Islamic philosophy of life because without a philosophy of life, no nation remains a nation; rather, it becomes a group of individuals devoid of zeal and enthusiasm and disorganized. Therefore, all teachers should invite their students to goodness, forbid them from evil deeds, and try to bring students closer to the religion through their good and gentle words, for Allah the Almighty has commanded in the Holy Quran to preach with gentleness and wisdom:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:125)

These are the distinctive qualities of a good mentor teacher, through which souls are polished, students are reformed, and also the pleasure and approval of Allah the Almighty are attained:

“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah, does righteous deeds, and says, ‘Indeed, I am among the Muslims.'” (Surah Fussilat, 41:33)

Traditional Teachers Should Remember the Accountability in the Hereafter!

My respected brothers! Those traditional teachers who do not fulfill the rights of their position and are lazy and negligent in it should never forget that their status and position are like that of a ruler, and the students are their subjects. Therefore, the violation of their rights is a cause for severe questioning and warning. Sayyidna Ma’qil bin Yasar ﷺ narrates that Mustafa, the Mercy to the Worlds ﷺ, said:

“When Allah appoints a servant over some subjects, and he dies in a state where he was treacherous to them, Allah will forbid Paradise for him.” (Sahih Muslim)

In another instance, Sayyidna Abdullah bin Umar ﷺ narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Every one of you is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects: The ruler who is appointed over the people is a guardian and is responsible for them. A man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and children and is responsible for them. A slave is the guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it. Behold! Every one of you is a guardian, and every one of you is responsible for his subjects!” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Therefore, teachers should understand the importance and sensitivity of this responsibility, fulfill the true right of their position, consider this position a religious and national duty instead of just a job, and, along with educating the new generation, also nurture them, pay full attention to their character building, and make them good Muslims as well as useful members of society!!

Dua

O Allah! Grant us the ability to adopt the method of the Prophet ﷺ in Dawah, preaching, and teaching. Grant us the understanding and intellect to comprehend the importance and demands of the teaching duty. Grant us the ability to make our educational curriculum in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah. Save our new generation from European ideas and ideologies, and protect them from the schools and institutions that engage in sabotage against Islamic culture. Grant us the ability to provide religious education and upbringing to our children.

O Allah! Through the magnificent intercession of Your Beloved, accept our prayers in Your Court of the Protector of the Helpless. Purify our inner and outer selves from all impurities. Grant us the ability to act upon the teachings of Your Beloved, and to obey with love for the Quran and Sunnah and sincerity.

O Allah! Keep us loyal to the religion of Islam. Make us true, steadfast, practicing lovers of the Prophet. Create an atmosphere of unity in our ranks. Make us regular in performing the five daily prayers with congregation. Save us from laziness and indolence. Grant us the wealth of sincerity in every good deed. Grant us the ability to perform all obligatory duties in the best manner. Protect us from stinginess and miserliness. Grant us the ability to help the poor and needy cheerfully.

O Allah! Grant us the privilege of serving and protecting our country and nation. Strengthen our mutual unity, harmony, and love. Grant us the ability to act upon the commandments of the Shariah correctly. We ask You for Your mercy. We seek forgiveness from You. We seek safety and deliverance from every sin. We beseech You for all good things. Remove our sorrows. Pay off our debts. Grant complete healing to our sick. Fulfill our needs!

O Lord! Grant blessings in our lawful sustenance. Always keep us safe from the need of the creation. Grant us the ability for true worship along with Your love and obedience. Make our hearts broad and soft for the creation of God. O Divine! Make our morals good and our works excellent. Accept our good deeds. Save us from all sins. Grant freedom to our Palestinian and Kashmiri Muslim brothers and sisters who are victims of the oppression and brutality of the disbelievers. Protect the life, wealth, honor, and dignity of Muslims all over the world. Resolve their problems for them with goodness and blessings. Amen, O Lord of the worlds!

And may Allah the Exalted send blessings upon the best of His creation and the light of His Throne, our Master, our Prophet, our Beloved, the apple of our eyes, Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions, and may He send blessings and peace. And all praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.