by: Imran Maqbool Wani
Teachers occupy a specific role in societal structure as people who provide knowledge, mold young souls, and inspire the development of young personalities. Their contribution to the cultural, religious, or national differentiation is not limited, since the profession has a universal and boundary-exceeding meaning. From the Islamic perspective, teaching is specifically honorable, having been cultivated and modeled by the recitations of proportion and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A teacher stands as a guiding star, which lights the way to the profound understanding and enrichment of the community. Central pillars in the development of upright, efficient, and compassionate people who can in turn bootstrap their communities and the world at large. Acquisition and transfer of knowledge form a central aspect of Islam. Islam has its roots in the Quran, and it emphasizes that teachers play close roles to divine messengers in leading human beings to the straight path. The Quran states that the divine happened to clean human misinterpretation sins using the Prophets and divine teachers. Allah summoned Muhammad to undertake the role of a teacher, cleaner, and mediator. This highlights the enormous duty that instructors have to their pupils to teach them things, provide them with moral direction, and educate them spiritually.
Hazrat Ali (RA), the fourth Caliph of Islam, once said, "If a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime." This remark provides a profound insight into the value of the teacher-student relationship. This straightforward yet impactful message emphasizes the ability of education to change lives and the significant influence that educators have on students lives. Teachers mold the destiny of their pupils by transferring information and wisdom, assisting them in overcoming obstacles in life with grace and resiliency. Teachers and students have a mutually respectful and appreciative connection that has been built over years of learning and development. The relationship between the instructor and the student lasts long after the classroom doors have closed, making a lasting impression on both party’s hearts and minds.
The Islamic tradition regards teachers as role models of knowledge, humility, and piety, and hence lays significant stress on their function. It is required of them to model for their students the values they teach and to lead by example. This focus on modeling stems from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was renowned for his ability to guide his followers with knowledge, patience, and compassion. Along with religious teaching, he also offered useful knowledge on how to face life’s obstacles with dignity and grace. Islam views teachers as mentors and role models who may assist their pupils in becoming better versions of themselves, in addition to being information providers.
A cornerstone of Islam, which emphasizes the characteristics of humility, love, and compassion for all living things, is the significance of treating instructors with respect. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strongly stressed the need to treat others with respect and forbade making fun of or demeaning other people. He taught that “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim: He does not wrong him, nor does he disappoint him, nor does he scorn him.” This emphasizes the holy link of brotherhood that binds all believers, together and stresses the need to treat one another with respect and kindness.
Islam emphasizes how important it is to treat instructors with the highest respect and decency. The religion acknowledges the crucial part educators play in forming society’s moral and intellectual foundation. Indeed, the Quran (58:11) makes clear how much higher Allah places individuals who believe and seek knowledge, emphasizing the vital role that instructors play in Islam. Recognizing and appreciating the priceless contributions teachers make to promoting a culture of learning and intellectual development is vital in the current era. Recognizing the critical role educators play in nation-building and social advancement, governments, educational institutions, and society at large must place a high priority on the professional growth and well-being of educators. By funding teacher education, we can build a more optimistic future for generations to come.
Taking meaningful action that will have a real impact is necessary to go beyond rhetoric and genuinely improve the standing of teachers. This entails funding teacher preparation programs, offering chances for professional growth, and making certain that educators receive just compensation for their diligence and commitment. It is essential to develop activities that support a culture of respect and gratitude for teachers in addition to these actions. This may be achieved through policy lobbying that aims to guarantee that teachers are treated with the respect and gratitude they deserve, media campaigns that emphasize the priceless contributions of teachers, and community outreach initiatives that unite educators and students. Teachers have the highest esteem because they are viewed as mentors, advisors, and custodians of information. Their influence goes well beyond the classroom, influencing generations’ moral compass and fostering society's intellectual development. Humanity may respect the sacred relationship between teachers and students and pave the path for a more enlightened and prosperous future by sustaining the values of humility, respect, and compassion towards teachers.
“I am incredibly appreciative of my distinguished mentors who have shone a light on my path, stoked my curiosity, and provided me with steadfast guidance and insight. Their priceless mentoring has helped to mold my character, resiliency, and view on life in addition to my professional path. Dr. Shazia Manzoor, Dr. Saima Farhad, Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmad, Dr. Adil Bashir, Dr. Waqar Amin, Dr. Javaid Rashid, Mr. Jameel Hussain Beigh, Mr. Rouf Ahmad Khan, and all the mentors who have kindly shared their knowledge, insight, and encouragement along the way have my sincere gratitude. Indeed, having mentors of such caliber is a divine blessing from Almighty Allah, for which I am eternally thankful. Their guidance continues to inspire and empower me as I navigate the journey of life with gratitude and humility.”
The author can be mailed at waniimran169@gmail.com
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