Photo: Collected
The role of teachers in building humanity and in the development of knowledge and research is immense. The teacher is the main architect of nation-building. The role of teachers is undeniable in building children’s character, meeting the challenges of the days to come and developing them as responsible citizens.
They illuminate the conscience of students with the light of the knowledge and wisdom they have acquired and, giving their utmost, strive to build each student into a responsible person, a researcher and a helmsman of the future. Teaching is a profession that holds a specially honourable position not only in Islam but in every ideology and society of the world.
However, Islam has viewed the teacher with the highest esteem. Despite having countless virtues, the Prophet (PBUH) identified himself as a teacher. He said, ‘I have been sent as a teacher’ (Sunan Ibn Majah: 229).
Teachers held great importance in the golden age of the Prophet, the Sahabah and the Tabiun. Caliph Hazrat Umar (RA), besides having them teach, used to appoint teachers to various high-ranking responsibilities. Caliph Hazrat Ali (RA) said, ‘I am the slave of the one who taught me a single letter. If he wishes, he may free me or even sell me’ (Talimul Mutaallim, page: 21).
Teaching is an attribute of Almighty Allah
Almighty Allah is the greatest teacher. He has taught us everything, good and bad, through the prophets and messengers. It is stated in the Quran, ‘Keep fearing Allah. Allah teaches you, and Allah is fully aware of all things.’ (Surah Baqarah: 282).
Carrying out the duty left behind by the prophets
A teacher carries out the duty left behind by the prophets and messengers. An important purpose of sending prophets to the world was to give people education and guidance, that is, to play the role of a teacher. In the Holy Quran Allah says, ‘I have sent among you a messenger from among yourselves, who recites My verses before you, purifies you, teaches you the Book and matters of profound wisdom, and teaches you such things as you did not know’ (Surah Baqarah: 151).
The best profession
There are countless professions in the world, but there is no second profession more dignified than teaching. The Messenger (PBUH) said, ‘The best among you is the person who learns the Quran himself and teaches it to others’ (Bukhari: 5027).
The prayers of all creation
A teacher is a person for whom all of creation keeps praying. In a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Undoubtedly Allah, the angels, all the creatures of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and the fish in the sea, keep praying for the one who teaches people what is good’ (Sunan Tirmidhi: 2675).
The Prophet’s prayer
The beloved Prophet (PBUH) himself specially prayed for teachers. He said, ‘May Allah keep fresh the person who has heard something I said, remembered it and conveyed it to people just as he heard it’ (Sunan Abu Dawud: 366).
A way to receive prayers even after death
After death, the doors of all of a person’s deeds are closed, but teaching is such a profession that if it is done properly and ideal students are built, reward can be earned even from the grave. The Messenger (PBUH) said, ‘When a person dies, the paths of all his deeds are closed except for three deeds. 1. Sadaqah jariyah. 2. Such knowledge by which people benefit, and 3. Such a righteous child who prays for him’ (Sunan Abu Dawud: 288).
May Almighty Allah grant us the ability to be truly caring teachers. Ameen.
The writer is a teacher at Jamia Arabia Darul Uloom Bagh-e-Jannat, Chashara, Narayanganj.
