Mohammad Mozammel Haque

The first word from Allah the Almighty is ‘read’ or ‘recite’. As He says—“Read, O Prophet, in the Name of your Lord Who created— created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen— taught humanity what they knew not.” [Surah Al-Alaq (96)-1—5]. Rasool (SAW) said-‘I have been sent as a teacher.’ (Ibn Majah: 44) That teaching profession is the noblest one in the world needs no telling. And that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was the greatest and the only teacher in the world whom everybody—disregarding their religious and political identity—can follow as an ideal is proved by Al-Quran and Al-Hadith. The failure or lack of ideals of the teacher makes the generation barren. Allah Ta'ala recognized him as a teacher. It is stated in the Holy Qur'an, "Allah has shown mercy to the believers by sending a prophet from among the believers, who will recite to them the verses of Allah, purify them and teach them the Book and wisdom." (Surah Al-Imran: 164)
Now, the question is- what type of teacher Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was. What methods did he follow to teach his Companions [Sahaba Azmayeen (R)]? What special qualities did he possess for which his followers crowded around him like the bees?
The first and foremost quality that Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) possessed as a teacher was his power of tolerance. He never showed his anger towards his followers at the time of teaching them as well as reciting the verses of the holy Quran to them. The quality of patience he had is incomparable to anybody’s in this world. This is because of this quality that all his Companions crowded around him like the bees. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says— It is out of Allah’s mercy that you, O Prophet, have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So pardon them, ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in conducting matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him. [Surah Al-Imran (03)-159]
Thus, it is essential for a teacher to have the quality of tolerance, because sometimes he has to face such difficult as well as critical situations when people usually lose their temper. It is the duty of an ideal teacher to be able to correct such situations very calmly and politely without getting angry. Once a Bedouin entered Masjid al-Nabawi and started urinating in a corner. When the Companions tried to interrupt, the Prophet (PBUH) forbade them. He said, 'Let him finish urinating.' When he finished, the Prophet ordered a companion, 'Bring water and clean the place.' Then he called the Bedouin to him and said very compassionately, 'Look brother, these mosques have been built for the worship of Allah Ta'ala. These were not built to meet natural needs.' Then the Prophet did not say anything else to him. (Abu Dawud)
A wise teacher knows how to ensure justice among his students. He tries to understand the nature and disposition of every student and gives instruction accordingly. This quality existed to the highest degree in the character of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibnul As said, “We were sitting in a Majlis with the Prophet. Suddenly a young man came and asked, 'O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), can I kiss my wife while fasting?' The Prophet said, 'No, it is not permissible for you.' After a while an old man came and asked the same question. The Prophet said to him, 'Yes, it is permissible for you.' We were looking at each other's faces. The Prophet understood our surprise and told us, 'The old man can control himself.' (Musnad Ahmad) These two kinds of treatments don’t mean that Rasool (SAW) made differences in his treatment with his two Companions. Rather, technically he has tried to behave and treat them based on their needs and disposition.
Before the advent of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) there was an era of boundless ignorance in Saudi Arabia. That era was called the era of Darkness. The nation was totally plunged into the darkness of ignorance and did every type of evil deed. Even female children were buried alive. Rasool (PBUH) officially started a special educational center called 'Suffa' after migrating to Medina. Most of the Muslims stayed in it, who were freed from all worldly activities and engaged in worship and knowledge day and night. The proof that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was fond of teachers and education and valued them is evidenced from the following hadith. The Prophet (PBUH) went to the mosque one day. There were two majlis in the mosque: one was for dhikr, the other was for teaching. The Prophet (PBUH) sat in the assembly of teaching and learning and remarked, “I have been sent as a teacher.” In this way, through his various inspirational sayings and actions, education gained in popularity.
There are many examples of the steps taken by the Prophet (PBUH) in spreading education. Among them, the precedent of the Battle of Badr is one of them. The Battle of Badr took place on Friday, 17th of Ramadan, II Hijri. 70 infidels defeated in this battle were captured and brought to Medina. There was a rule of fine as ransom for each of these prisoners. The Prophet (PBUH) forgave the prisoners of war of Badr and accepted their ransom. He who had nothing to give was released free of charge. In general, the Quraysh released many of their captives through ransom. But among them there were also a number of prisoners who had nothing to ransom. He also decided about them; they will teach the children of the Ansar. (Musnad Ahmad, Page. 247). It was decided that one prisoner would teach ten Muslims. This is how Zayd Ibn Thabit (RA) learned to study. As much importance is given to the acquisition of knowledge and as much as learning is encouraged in this instruction, it is as bright as the sun to all.
Moreover, in the Hadith, the well-crafted method of teaching of the Prophet (PBUH) is beautifully revealed. What qualities should a teacher have? The teacher will give guidance by focusing on certain subjects. For example- Muawiya Ibn Hakam (RA) narrates, “Once I was praying with the Prophet (SAW). Suddenly a person sneezed (in prayer). In reply, I said 'Yarhamukallah'. People were staring at me. I said, what happened to you? Why are you looking at me like this? People put their hands on their thighs and motioned for me to calm down and shut up. I fell silent. Rasool (PBUH) offered salam and finished the prayer. May my parents be devoted to him. I have never seen a teacher before or after him who taught so well and so beautifully. By Allah! He did not beat me, nor scolded me, nor reprimanded me; he said, we should not speak while praying. (meaning such things cannot be said in prayer). Rather, salah is the place where we should recite the Quran, tasbeeh, and takbeer. (Muslim: 537) Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates, “The Prophet (SAW) said, you should teach, be gentle and benevolent; don't be harsh. Be silent when you are angry. Be silent when you are angry. Be silent when you are angry (says this three times). (Musnad Ahmad: 2556). Rasulullah (SAW) was blessed with the quality of memorizing what he listened only once. Thus, he did not need to take preparation before teaching his Companions. But still he used to recite the Holy Quran regularly.
Thus, it can unquestionably be stated that those who are teachers must be tolerant, easy-going, frank, wise, accepting, lenient, benevolent, kind, caring and compassionate. A teacher is a life-long learner. Those who are impatient, unkind, intolerant, having angry disposition and don’t have patience to learning and studying new things regularly should not come to teach.