Teach Like Rasul: A Big Why -

The challenge of teaching and education is getting greater and greater every year. Teachers around the world are showing more and more concern about how hard it is to educate students today. The high demand of curriculum standards, the influence of environment to students, both in real and virtual schemes, and financial challenges are only a few of factors that make teaching harder. Let alone safety risks teachers today put their life in for the sake of educating other people’s children.

People are trying to find a solution. Education experts and practitioners try different teaching methods, different instructional approaches, different curriculum. When the world's eyes fall on Finland’s way of teaching, Finland itself is trying new ways to adjust their education system with the new condition. Then, when will we catch up with time?

In the middle of this education jungle, let’s go back to the main role model for mankind: Rasulullah shallallahu alaihi wa sallam. This post is the first in the series of Teach Like Rasul, a discussion from the book entitled Rasulullah The Teacher by Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah I am currently reading and also following daily short sermon series by Ustadz Iqbal Wijdani from Abdurrahman Quranic Center. You will be able to find more of the series from the Topic Teach Like Rasul in the sidebar.

If you are interested in reading the book you can buy the Indonesian version on NH Bookstore. The original title in arabic is Ar-Rasul Al Mu'allim wa Asalibuhu fi Ta’lim. You can also find the English translation online. There is always a way to learn. :)

Why take Rasulullah as the role model for teachers?

Rasulullah shalallahu alaihi wasallam is the best of mankind. We are ordered to seek guidance from his act, his words, and his behavior. From every part of his life, we can take as a role model. Including as a teacher, we can also take his example to be the best teacher, not only to our students, but also to our kids and people around us.

Allah sent him to teach mankind

Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla also states, as depicted from the Quran Surah Al Jumu’ah verse 2, that Rasulullah shalallahu alaihi wasallam was sent to us, to teach us.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

He is the One Who raised for the illiterate ˹people˺ a messenger from among themselves—reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, for indeed they had previously been clearly astray— (Q.S. Al-Jumu’ah 62: 2)

The proof of his teachings is obvious

The proof that Rasulullah shalallahu alaihi wa sallam is the best example for teachers can be seen anywhere in the world. You can imagine how the Arabs were before Rasulullah shalallahu alaihi wasallam was sent to them. It was an age called the Age of Jahiliyya or the Age of Ignorance. It was the time when women and slaves were not treated as human beings. It was the time when baby girls were killed for saving family ‘honor’. It was the time when people worship idols they made themselves. It was the time of injustice, deceitfulness, and immorality. And all those changed only in matter of years after they embraced Islam. They became the greatest civilization and spread the teaching of Islam to most part of the world in a short time.

You can imagine how his companions, the sahaba, could transform from just ordinary people to the experts in their fields. Among them are languages masters, strategists of war, best of governments, best of businessmen, best of scholars, and many more. It is even written in the book that with what the sahaba can achieve itself is a miracle of Rasulullah.

His method is eternal and universal

Rasulullah shalallahu alaihi wasallam was sent to all humans from his time until the Day of Judgement. He got his knowledge directly from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Be sure that his method is eternal. It would never expire. His teaching is universal. It can be applied to all people no matter the background. No matter at what time and place you are living, you can always follow his examples.

Following him is ibadah

Yes, as you know, following his example in our daily life is counted as ibadah (worship). Even if it is as simple as using your right hand when you are eating. So, if you follow his way of teaching, it can be counted also as ibadah.

Those are what I can summarize from why we should follow The Prophet in our teaching. If you have anything to motivate us more in following The Prophet while we are teaching, please don’t hesitate to drop it in the comment form below. I hope we can be better educators for our students and children. See you in the next posts.

Teach Like Rasul