In Islam, teachers are seen as guides, mentors and custodians of knowledge, and their role is central to the development of society

In Islam, the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge hold a position of utmost sanctity, as the Quran states, ‘He taught man what he did not know’ (96:5). This divine attribute of being a teacher is central to the faith, embodied most perfectly in the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”

Teachers occupy a specific role in societal structure as people who provide knowledge, mould 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 honourable, having been cultivated and modelled 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 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 mould 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 parties’ 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 modelling 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 treating instructors with the highest respect and decency is important. 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.

Another of the Quranic proclamations about Allah as an attribute is that of being a teacher. The Holy Quran has a verse that says: ‘He taught man that which He knew not’ (96:5) which emphasizes the role of God in providing knowledge to people. Allah is first to enlighten the human being with natural lessons and then follows this with Messengers. Out of all these messengers, Prophet Muhammad PBUH was a teacher and that is exactly the role he played.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave humanity lessons on morality, virtue, and right conduct. They were not only heard but he followed his teachings by practicing them in everyday life through his example. Education in the Islamic model is not only about books and ideas; a teacher has to be an example of how it is supposed to be. Contrary to understanding from the Western context where the teachers’ personal can conflict with their professional beliefs, in the Eastern perspective, the life of the teachers and their teachings are intertwined. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) followed this adage and was a practical role model in establishing the Muslim education system as a way of ‘living the words’ as well as delivering them.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) thus gave a lot of importance to education or rather he focused a lot on teaching. In a well-known tradition, when he saw two groups of people in Masjid-e-Nabvi while one party was praying another party had gathered to engage in discussions he said that the party that was learning and teaching others was better. He said that what was in him was only the teaching mission His words were that those who learn and teach are the best of people.

Quran enjoins its followers to seek knowledge and to disseminate knowledge to others. Cognitive difference is such a distinction that gives priority to the knowledgeable as opposed to the ignorant stating that such statuses cannot be equal. In addition, there is the emphasis that the possessor of knowledge will be granted a great reward and raised to the degree of honour. The Quran is replete with exhortations to seek knowledge and to impart it to others thus indicating the high degree of respect accorded to learning in this religion. Thus the tie to Allah as the authority of knowledge reasserts the value of education and instruction in the Islamic culture.

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 mould 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 Jamee 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 calibre 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.”

By Imran Maqbool Wani

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Imran Maqbool Wani