Be a Successful Teacher in view of Prophet’s (S) Example

  Life of the Prophet (S) is like a deep ocean. The one who knows in and out of the swimming can find therein many precious pearls. Same way, the one who wants to be a successful teacher, for him there is comprehensive guidance in the example of Prophet Muhammad (S) 

Teachers are the foundation for the progress of any nation. A good teacher only can prepare a good student. In spite of the teaching by robot & technology in the current era, the significance of human teacher still exists and will continue in the future as well. For, a teacher only can mold his thoughts and feelings into the words and make them inseparable part of his students’ life. Only the teaching profession is considered as a noble & respectable profession amongst all the occupations of the world. In the current scenario, the human morality has been afflicted by the bankrupt. Nobody wants to give respect to anyone. Despite the corruption of this era, students keep the emotion of respect and honour for their teachers till some extend and were seen practicing the same too. 

The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) came to remove the darkness of infidelity, spread the brightness of faith (Imaan), message about the arrival of truth and bring the people out of the slavery of people towards the slavery of Allah. He was the best of all teachers and trainers. He transformed the soil into the gold. He chiseled the personality of his companions and transformed them into such diamonds and shiny stars that the world was awestruck. What were the attributes, through which he taught and trained his companions and instilled in them such wisdom which would be beneficial till the last day. 

The Messenger of Allah (S) centralized his efforts onto embellishing and enhancing the personality of his companions. And he focused on reforming their habits and morals that they were grew up with. And for this purpose, he left no stone unturned. Rather, he put effort whenever and wherever he felt the need of reformation. It is a famous incident that once the Prophet (S) and his companions were waiting for the arrival of one funeral and he took a stick and drew one straight line and few cross lines, indicating to instability of the world full of calamities and the surety of the arrival of one’s death. 

Teachers of the contemporary era also should realize that the teaching is not an occupation continues for few hours. Rather it is a perpetual act which lasts 24/7. After the school or college hours, teachers cannot simply shirk from the responsibility by just saying that my duty hours are over and now I am not in school. I am now unquestionable for teaching the students or honing their personality or reforming them or correcting them if they do something wrong. That isn’t my responsibility. If he/she is a true teacher he/she cannot say so. 

In the Holy Quran, Allah says about the Prophet (S) “If you were rude and cruel-hearted with them, they would have scattered from you.” This Ayah of the Holy Quran shows that he was kind and soft-hearted. And he always used to treat with kindness. In the battle of Uhud, though his bright face was bleeding, he was praying for his enemies. He always showed kindness to his companions. Few of his typical villagers companions were unaware of formal respect and honour. Few of them used to call his name aloud from behind his rooms. Someone said “O Muhammad! Give us too something.” There are numerous incidents like this. But Prophet (S) had always taken the reliance of patience and endurance. And never took any action against them. It was because of his wholehearted wisdom he wanted to teach them and make them understand and inculcate in them priceless qualities. He never took revenge for himself nor did he have enmity with anyone.

For a teacher, there is a great and exceptional lesson in the example and the life of Prophet (S). One who is deprived of kindness is certainly unaware of the essence of teaching profession. This is what we do learn from Prophet's life (S). The teacher cannot get his way to the heart of his students who is not kind with them and does not treat them passionately. He remains always frowned face, habitual of hard talk and enraged. 

Life of the Prophet (S) teaches that students would be admiring if teachers want their well-being with kindness. Because every teacher is sincere but the best of all teachers is one who wins the hearts. A good teacher can get the access to the hearts of his students by the means of kindness.

The biographers of the Prophet (S) wrote about his talking manner that his talk used to be comprehensive and short. He used to deliver eloquent speech with less word but more meanings. His words had profound impact. A famous Arabic writer Jahiz says praising the talk of Prophet (S) "His talks used to be less in words but more in meanings and impact. It was pure from artificiality. He used to elaborate where it requires and shortened his talk where it requires. He used to avoid uncommon and unfamiliar words during his talk.

How a teacher should explain in front of his students in classroom and how should he talk on other topics, for that there is a great Prophetic example in what Jahiz quoted. Because these kinds of words would be heart-touching, time-saving and more influencing to the students and useful in shaping their personality and making them understand better.

These three Prophetic characteristics were explained especially for the teachers so that they understand that the Life of the Prophet (S) is like a deep ocean. The one who knows in and out of the swimming can find therein many precious pearls. Same way, the one who wants to be a successful teacher, for him there is comprehensive guidance in the example of Prophet Muhammad (S). Therefore, we must study the life of Prophet (S) from point of view of a teacher and we must consider what guidance we can get. This study will make our sight and insight flashing.

Faizan Nadwi