Teaching is one of the most respectful and valuable professions in the world. In Islam the profession of teacher has more importance as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) introduced himself as a teacher. Teachers are one of the most influential people in society and have great importance in modern society. Teachers bear the responsibility of molding student’s personalities and educating them. Teachers are considered the most honored person in every religion. Due to the important role of teachers, Islam has granted high status and rights to teachers. Islam has paid great attention to teachers for their being the first brick in the structure of social development and perfection and the cause of guiding and developing behaviors and mentalities of individuals and communities. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said that, “Sleep of a Scholar is superior to one thousand Rakat’s of prayers offered by a devout person.” To understand the rank of teachers from the Quote of Hazrat Ali (RA) in which He (RA) stated that: “If a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime.” The teacher is considered the profound father in Islam. All Prophets were the teacher that sent before Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and obviously, Prophet (SAW) was also the great teacher for all mankind. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) teaches us how to worship Allah, how to implement teachings of the Quran in our daily lives and many other things. Islam lays great emphasis on knowledge. At numerous times and instances, Almighty Allah ordered the Muslims to acquire knowledge and learn. Islam lays so much stress on seeking knowledge and also on giving the respect to the ones who imparted knowledge. That’s why teachers have the highest status in Islam. In Holy Quran Almighty Allah says: “Allah elevates to high positions those from amongst you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge” (Quran, 58:11). There is a difference in acquiring knowledge, understanding knowledge, and education targeting literacy.
Personal guidance can mean a lot to a student if they have confidence in the material and teaching methods of their teacher. In short, we should know respect and become closer to the teacher who is willing to give us education and knowledge.
To increase the rate of literacy among Muslims, the Prophet (SAW) utilized the services of even the non-believers of Mecca, i.e. prisoners of Badr. Knowledge must be of truth and reality or of what the Qur’an calls Haqq (Truth). Unfortunately, the Muslim World has confused knowledge with literacy. The dilemma is that we are utilizing our resources to increase the rate of literacy rather than acquiring knowledge, even then we fail in it. A teacher must possess the abilities of motivation, dedication, encouragement and a caring nature. He should be fair and respect his students to establish a strong interaction. He must be enthusiastic and enhance the confidence of students to work unsupervised. He should enhance their ability to conceptualize and utilize their skills, professionally as well as in daily life. Personal guidance can mean a lot to a student if they have confidence in the material and teaching methods of their teacher. In short, we should know respect and become closer to the teacher who is willing to give us education and knowledge.
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