Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a Teacher

 

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a Teacher

By Tahir Mahmood Naqash 

Some of the most influential people in our lives are teachers. And most of us can remember our first teacher at school, who taught us the proper rules of our ABC and playground. As we progress from infancy to old age, there are countless teachers along the way who have helped us on our journey to adolescence and beyond. The high school math teacher who helped you complete your algebra or college professor who taught you the spirit of debate, the fabric of our existence is greatly influenced by the teachers who guided us in our educational journey. There is only one teacher in Islam who has laid the foundation for the spiritual education of mankind.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was an illiterate man. God chose him as the last messenger and the best teacher for Muslims.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was accused of reciting the Quran and conveying the message to all human beings. However, he was no ordinary teacher. In fact, it set the standard for education a thousand years ago, and its effects are still being felt today. There are countless ways in which Muhammad (SAW) was and still is, the greatest teacher ever. Here are just a few!

No Student Should Left Behind

In classrooms around the world, it is common for teachers to separate strong students from weak ones. The latter are assigned to less challenging classes that do nothing to nurture the mind, while the "smart" students are given every opportunity to excel.

Prophet Muhammad did not differentiate between students based on their level of intelligence, or any other classification that sets us apart in society. He never tried to exclude or exclude anyone from Islam. Rather, he gave a message that was for all of humanity. Prophet Muhammad said:

“By Allah! If He may guide through you a single man to Islam, it would be better for you than red camels” (Al-Bukhari).

By setting this example of inclusion, Muslims have a concrete example of how to attract others to the Islamic faith.

Perfect Speaker

Most of us have had at least one teacher who could not hear or speak so fast that it was impossible to understand what was being said.

Even today, the speed at which most teachers speak is ignored in order to gather as much information as possible in each lesson.

Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was in accordance with his teaching methods and never rushed in his lessons. According to his beloved wife Ayesha, He (SAW):

“Spoke in such a way that if one were to count his words they could be count” (Al- Bukhari)

He SAW always used very sample words that every once can understand easily.

As teacher we should be used very sample words and sample language in our class that over students can understand easily.

The Prophet also repeated his words three times according to his companions. The words he uttered and the lessons he taught were vague, which helped the students of Islam to complete their faith and inculcate the Qur'an in their hearts.

The perfection of Prophet Muhammad's speech was a deliberate means of conveying a message to each of his students through repetition, which is a great way to learn.

Example of Living

Perhaps one of the greatest virtues that made Muhammad(SAW) such an extraordinary teacher is that he provided guidance for example. He often lectured his colleagues on the Oneness of God, lived according to Islam, and cared for the Hereafter.

In every aspect of his life, Prophet Muhammad(SAW) was an example and acted on what he preached. This made it easier for his colleagues to see how to live their lives according to the Qur'an and Sunnah. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

“Surely you have been a good example in the Messenger of Allah for every one who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much. (33:21)”

Patience in Trouble

How many times, especially in inner-city schools in the United States, have you heard teachers lament and throw towels at "tough" students?

For many teachers, there is a fine line between reaching students with a sense of understanding and not being able to reach students who fight at every step.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was taught the message of Islam from the very beginning of his Prophethood, which caused him a great deal of hatred and open hatred. In Mecca, he spent thirteen years trying to teach his misguided people the message of the Quran. But he faced violent resistance at every step, only a minority of his people converted to Islam.

Prophet Muhammad,(SAW) even after settling in Medina, met with controversy and did not even consider leaving. Some of the best personal qualities that helped strengthen his resolve and his commitment to his mission include wisdom, patience and willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of Allah Almighty.

The way in which the Prophet of Islam taught the message of Islam to his companions had a profound effect, making Islam the fastest growing religion in the world over the centuries.

Whether you are a new Muslim or a born Muslim, the example of the Prophet of Islam as a talented teacher is a unified force in the Islamic world and a catalyst for greater understanding through education.