In a world where everybody is claiming to be an Islamic scholar, there must be some qualities that will help people identify who are good Islamic teachers. Even people that cannot recite the Quran properly are laying claims to the title of a scholar.
Islamic teachers are highly revered by Allah and his messenger. In one hadith, the Messenger of Allah said, everything in this world is cursed, except the one who helps in remembrance of Allah. Scholars are of the opinion that ‘’the one who helps in remembrance of Allah’’ in that hadith is referring to Islamic teachers.
In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah said, teachers are the best. Every time truth is forgotten, they are the ones who revive it. Anywhere a teacher is mentioned in a hadith, it is always referring to Islamic teachers.
These and many more reasons are why Islamic teachers are highly revered by Allah and his Messenger. Therefore, it is very important to know the responsibilities of Islamic teachers.
8 Responsibilities of A Good Islamic Teacher
In the next segment of this article, we will look at 8 responsibilities of a good Islamic teacher.
1. Impact Positively on his Students
A good Islamic teacher must have a positive impact on his students. By doing this, he is setting them up for higher positions in the future.
The positive impact is more of action than words. As a teacher, your body language sends a bigger message than your words.
2. Responsibility of a Good Teacher to Have Taqwa (fear of Allah)
Islamic teachers are similar to messengers’ because they teach people the word of Allah and the words of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Some scholars who analyzed the Quran said the main message of the Quran is to give good tidings to those who do good deeds (Bashiran) and to warn those who are perpetrating evil of the grave punishment that awaits them in the grave and on the day of resurrection (Naziran).
An Islamic teacher must have come across all the verses that warn of the dreadful punishment in the hereafter mentioned in the Quran. He or she must have known that only the fear of Allah will make Allah pity his slaves on the day of resurrection.
A good Islamic teacher must not only fear Allah but he or she must also imbibe the fear of Allah into the students they teach. Islamic teachers must let people know that nobody in this world has any value except if the person has a fear of Allah.
Allah said in verse 13 of Suratul Hujurat,
“Indeed, we have created you from male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know each other. Surely, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
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3. Knowledge of Islamic Rulings
The rulings of Allah and his messenger are very much and well documented in the Quran and hadith. As an Islamic teacher, you must strive very hard to know these rulings and apply them in your daily activities. You must take note of everything that will make you appear as a novice (Jahil) in the eyes of your people. This means, if you are not sure of a ruling, it is better not to apply it. If you are caught in the web of giving out wrong rulings frequently, you begin to lose the respect of your students and your followers.
An Islamic or hifz teacher can lose everything, but he or she must not lose respect. Once respect is lost, you are better off in another trade apart from teaching Islamic subjects.
4. A Good Teacher Should Have a Good Character in Society
An Islamic teacher is an ambassador of Islam. Where he lives, where he works, where he relaxes, everybody looks up to him. The kind of scrutiny he will be subjected to is different from what random people are subjected to.
Aisha reported in one of the hadith that was reported from the Messenger of Allah. He said, verily, the most complete of believers’ faith are those with the best character and who are most kind to their families.
5. It Is the Duty of a Good Islamic Teacher to Read the Mood of His Class
We know teachers always want to teach. That is the job they are paid for. Teachers are always eager to finish their scheme of work for each session, but people cannot be in the mood to learn every day. Sometimes, students might be tired due to an overload of lectures. If you are caught in this situation as a teacher, there is no harm in giving your students a few minutes’ breaks to relax and clear their minds.
6. Ability to Identify Students’ Weaknesses
A good teacher is someone that can spot the weakness of students and work on improvement. Rather than insulting your students and subjecting them to ridicule, have a heart-to-heart conversation with them and let them tell you what you can do to help them improve.
Human beings are created differently. We are all unique in our own ways. Someone’s strength is someone else’s weakness. I remember when I was in school, I had a friend that will boss all subjects, but always struggle when it comes to the English language. He struggled for years until we got a good English teacher that spotted his weakness and improved him.
7. Ensure Students Are Given Take-Home Exercises
It is the responsibility of an Islamic teacher to give his students take-home exercises. This will enable the student to discuss the topic more and also keep the student busy from mingling with bad friends at home.
Take-home exercises should not be direct questions. It should be based on questions that will make the student think wider. If students are taking online Quran classes then teachers must have to make sure to check their homework regularly.
8. Read About the Topic Before Going to Class
It is the duty of an Islamic teacher to have adequate knowledge of what he or she wants to teach students. There are some subject matters in Islam that have divergent views. If you want to treat topics like that, you should read about the different views of scholars and explain them. There is no harm in sticking to the view that you think is the most correct to you so far you have evidence to back up your claim.
Conclusion
As an Islamic teacher, a lot of responsibilities are lying on your shoulders. Some have been discussed in this article while there are still many more. You should have it at the back of your mind that Allah will ask you about these responsibilities that Allah has placed on your shoulder. If you carry out your responsibilities well, Allah will reward you with Al-Jannah InshaAllah.
No amount of money or material things can compensate for what Islamic teachers do. Only Allah can compensate our Islamic teacher.
