I once had a deep, reflective discussion with a dear sister of mine, Ustazah Halimah Alaydrus, a religious teacher from Indonesia who has a huge following on social media and countless students attending her classes. We talked about how we, as educators, perceive people who listen attentively to our lectures and the responsibility that comes with our words. 

While our words have the potential to inspire and guide, they also carry the risk of causing harm if we are careless or haphazard in choosing them. Naturally, this makes us self-conscious when delivering lectures or talks.

There have been moments when we felt the urge to stop speaking altogether, to retreat into safe spaces and think to ourselves, "We’re done!" But we are constantly reminded of the amanah (trust) we hold. The knowledge we have learned from our predecessors is a trust that must be shared and benefited by others.

As educators or even as parents guiding our children, here are seven reflections to ponder:

1. Making and Renewing Good Intentions

As people of faith, our primary goal in spreading knowledge should not be for worldly gains. While receiving remuneration is a form of compensation for the hard work and hours invested, and it's only fair that teachers receive proper salaries, the main objective must be solely to please Allah. Teaching is an act of worship, a noble service that benefits others and keeps us on the path to Jannah. 

Yes, it’s true that often, we are driven by the need for income, as the rewards kept for us in the hereafter can feel abstract and distant. However, the blessings from good intentions can already be felt in this world: blessings like peace of mind, contentment and various forms of blissful provision (rizq) from Allah. 

Read: The Concept of Rizq (Sustenance) In Islam

2. Acknowledging That Guidance Comes From Allah Alone

When we teach or offer advice to students, family members, or our children, we remind ourselves that if our intention is to make others listen, they may not. Instead, we should speak as a reminder, both for them and for ourselves and entrust the outcome to Allah. This approach helps us understand that true guidance comes from Allah alone. Our role is to facilitate that process.

Allah holds every heart in His hands, and only He knows whom to guide based on the sincerity of the listeners’ intentions and the effort they make. We have no power to control or grant guidance to anyone. Understanding this, we don't become easily frustrated or angry when our efforts don't achieve the desired outcome. Instead, we find peace within ourselves and remain calm. As Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran: 

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”

(Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)

3. Striving With Integrity and Preparing for Lessons

Effective teaching begins with confidence in our knowledge, which requires us to learn from the right teachers, especially when dealing with faith and belief. 

Our teachers often remind us to continuously seek knowledge, stay attuned to the context and be more than fully prepared before each lesson. They also stress the importance of revisiting questions we can't immediately answer and refraining from speaking when unsure. We must always balance confidence in sharing knowledge with humility.

Read: How to Seek Knowledge as a Muslim

A well-known incident from the life of Imam Asy Syafi’i rahimahullah (may Allah have mercy on him) highlights his genuine humility. When asked a challenging question that he was unsure of, Imam Asy Syafi’i simply replied, “I don’t know”. His students, astonished by his response, wondered how such a great scholar could admit not knowing. Imam Asy Syafi’i explained, “Acknowledging ‘I don’t know’ is a key aspect of true knowledge”. 

This story teaches us that real wisdom lies not only in having answers but also in recognising our limitations and being humble enough to admit them.

Read: How Imam Asy-Syafi'i treated his teachers with respect, humility and empathy

4. Never Feeling Superior or More Righteous Than Others

One of the significant challenges some teachers face is the temptation to feel superior to their students. We've seen instances of arrogance in some educators, but we have also been fortunate to meet true teachers who embody humility far more deeply.

What we love about these humble teachers is how naturally they display good character (akhlaq). It doesn’t feel forced because it stems from their pure, sincere hearts, wisdom and knowledge. They never look at others with contempt and serve as role models, inspiring us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet s.a.w.

When people come to us seeking knowledge, it’s because Allah has guided them toward goodness, as if they are answering a Divine invitation, which signifies that they are beloved by Allah. So, who are we to regard them with disdain?

Read: Nurturing Faith and Islamic Knowledge Starts from Young

When it comes to teaching children, I find it troubling that some adults are harsh, not for the sake of discipline but out of a misplaced sense of superiority, almost like bullying. In reality, these children are far purer than us. They are free from the sins that adults carry and should be treated with the kindness and respect they deserve.

Read: Prophet Muhammad's Kindness and Love for Children

5. Building Spiritual and Mental Resilience

Most teachers will tell you that teaching is the best part of their job. However, in today’s world, teaching comes with various additional tasks: administrative duties, dealing with parents, managing expectations from superiors, navigating regulations and the seemingly endless paperwork and bureaucracy. These added responsibilities can sometimes wear down a teacher’s passion and patience.

In these moments, teachers must cultivate inner strength and spiritual resilience. It’s not an easy task, but having faith and a connection to a higher power can provide the support needed to bounce back from challenges and low points. This Divine intervention can uplift one’s spirit and restore passion. Understanding our creed (aqidah) helps us see that joy and sadness are essential elements that balance our lives on earth, providing us with the perspective needed to persevere.

Read: Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. as a Teacher

6. Seeking Help and Support When Needed

While teachers strive to reignite their passion for teaching, especially after experiencing burnout, we often cannot do so alone. Strong support from those closest to us is crucial. 

We deeply appreciate it when our parents, siblings, spouses, children and family members understand the intensity of our suffering. Like-minded friends who make our lives easier and allow us to relax without judgement are true gems. Thoughtful superiors, management and parents who actively support us in their children's learning journey are truly Godsent. They don’t place the entire burden on teachers and schools but instead ask, “How can we help?” This approach honours teachers, a value deeply rooted in our faith.

7. Trusting Allah in the Journey

As teachers, after diligently making and renewing our intentions, acknowledging that guidance comes from Allah alone, striving with integrity in preparing our lessons, ensuring we never feel superior or more righteous than others, building our spiritual and mental resilience and seeking help and support when needed, the final and most crucial step is placing our trust in Allah throughout the teaching journey.

Trusting Allah means recognising that, despite our efforts and the knowledge we impart, the true success of our students is ultimately in Allah's hands. This trust or tawakkal is an essential part of our role as educators. It reminds us that we are merely instruments through which Allah delivers knowledge, and our duty is to teach to the best of our ability, leaving the results and outcomes to Him.

It also means that while we play a vital role in shaping minds, young or old, the ultimate success of our efforts lies in Allah's hands. By placing our trust in Him, we can teach with confidence, knowing that we are guided and supported by the One who knows what is best for us and our students. This trust transforms our teaching into an act of worship, bringing blessings not only to our students but also to our own hearts and lives.

Read: Trusting Allah in Difficult Times

Conclusion

As educators, teaching is a multifaceted approach that not only benefits others but also serves as a path to spiritual fulfilment. It is a responsibility of those raised in honour by knowledge, as glorified in the Quran:

يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَـٰتٍ

“Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful and (raise) those gifted with knowledge in rank.”

(Surah Al-Mujadila, 58:11)

While the challenges faced by educators today are unique, placing trust in Allah s.w.t. underscores the humility, good character and belief in the teaching and learning journey. 

And Allah knows best.

This content first appeared on Ustazah Nadia Hanim’s Facebook post. Permission has been sought to repurpose on Muslim.Sg. Articles on Muslim.Sg may be reproduced electronically or in print with prior permission from Muslim.Sg. Proper credit must be given to the author(s) and Muslim.Sg.