Status Of A Teacher In Islam
Teachers play important role in our life to become a successful person. A good teacher helps a person to be a good human being in the society and good citizen of the country. The future development of any nation is in the hands of teachers.
Teaching is one of the most respectful and valuable professions in the world. In religion Islam, this profession has more importance as our beloved Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) is introduced as a teacher. Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) was sent down to teach the difference between right and wrong, the wisdom and unknown things to the people of this world through the instructions of Allah.
Allah says in Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse: 151
“Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know”.
Teachers bear the responsibility of molding students’ 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 major role in social development and perfection and the cause of guiding and developing behaviors and mentalities of individuals and communities. One of the quotes of Hazrat Ali (R.A) shows the importance of teachers, he stated: “If a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime.
Islam put emphasis to the importance of teachers for their being the first brick in the structure of social development. Teachers enjoy abundant rights on the learners since they are sources of their perfection and familiarity with life experts. They are also sources of their mentalities' illumination. Therefore, teachers' rights are equal to fathers'. Learners are required to show their teachers the highest pictures of respect and reverence.
At numerous times and instances Allah has ordered the Muslims to acquire knowledge and learn. The reason why angels were asked to bow before humans was because humans had greater knowledge. So, if Islam lays such stress on knowledge, how much would it respect the ones who imparted knowledge? Teachers, thus, have one of the highest statuses in Islam. Umar Ibn Al Khattab RA said: “The death of a thousand worshipers is easier to bear than the death of a scholar who has knowledge of what Allah has permitted and forbidden.”
The best of knowledge is the knowledge of the Quran. The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said, “The best of you are the students of the Quran and the teachers of it.” In a hadith related by Tirmithi, the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said, “He is not of us who does not respect our elderly, is merciful to our youth, and knows the rights of those who teach us.”
Allah says in Quran in Surah al-Mujadilah, verse: 11
“Allah elevates to high positions those from amongst you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge”.
So, Islam has given so much importance to a teacher or to a person who teaches even one good thing to another person is considered as a teacher as well. Islam also teaches us to respect our teachers.
