To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over all things competent. I also testify that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment O Servants of Allah, I urge you and myself to be mindful of Allah the Almighty and obey Him, in light of what He says, "and fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things." (Al Baqara: 282)
Dear Muslims, "Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe," (Al Qalam: 1), so says the verse. Indeed by the pen the teacher teaches and does one of the most honourable jobs prophets and messengers also undertook. Allah says, "just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know." (Al Baqara:151).
Thus the Prophet Muhammad pbuh set out to teach his folk that which they did not know before. Thanks to his teachings, they acquired the status of scholars as they deepened their knowledge, so they became more resourceful than anybody else, more virtuous, modest and truthful. Indeed the teacher is the lamp that enlightens people and lets them think and see the world through science and logic thinking. No wonder then that the scholar and knowledge should enjoy higher status and honour. The Exalted is He has associated the testimony of His angels and scholars with His Own as He says, "Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (Al Imran: 18). This is a clear evidence that shows the special position of knowledge and scholars, making them the most virtuous amongst people. Or else, Allah would not have mentioned them on a par with His Name and His angels. For his part, our Prophet pbuh explained further their special standing, emphasising their role of disseminating knowledge. He says, "the superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion." He pbuh said also, "indeed Allah, His Angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earths - even the ant in his hole, even the fish - say Salat upon the one who teaches the people to do good." Dear Teachers, Blessed are you and congratulations to you. Indeed, credit goes to you as our sons and daughters learn and grow. And thanks to your dedication and good guidance, the country develops further. That your students pray for you is an acknowledgment of your efforts in educating them and putting them on the sound track of a long-life learning journey. Dear Believers, Please know that teaching is an educational responsibility. It is the foundation for building generations and on which hopes pin.
Therefore, teachers have to set the good example for others and be aware that students see in them -in many situations and circumstances- a role model. For their special position, teachers were quite often chosen to be mentors for the community elite's children. It was narrated that Imam al Shafei advised his children's educator saying, "to correct the behaviour of pupils under your care, [please] start with yourself. Please mind also that they see through you what is good as well as what is bad. So for them, the good things are what you appreciate and the bad things are what you avoid." Teachers are therefore at the centre of the educational process. That is why our ancestors used to advise their children to study under the most competent scholar. In so doing they wanted their sons and daughters to learn as much as from his virtues as well as from his knowledge. Umm Imam Malik bin Anas told him as he was set to travel to seek knowledge, "O my son, go to the Majlis of Rabiaa and learn from his virtues before his knowledge." Knowing this, teachers need to be up to the situation as dictated by Allah the most Exalted and instill in the youth the best of values, things that will stand by you at the Day of Judgment. Please be aware that building nations depends on building people. Therefore, do your best and excel in your duties as a teacher and educator so that the country will reap the fruits of what you have sown. Dear Servants of Allah, Since the teacher enjoys such a distinguished position, students have also a status of their own. Pursuing knowledge is seen as one of the pathways to Heaven. Our Prophet pbuh said, "and whoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise." Anyone seeking knowledge is constantly under the care of Allah and guarded by angels in every beneficial enterprise he is pursuing. Angels would also appreciate him and pray for him thanks to what he has acquired of knowledge. On this matter, our Master Muhammad pbuh said, "the angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does." Yet students have to be aware of ethics they need to respect when dealing with their teachers and educators, notably treating them well and being modest. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "acquire knowledge and teach it to people, learn to be sincere and how to be tranquil, and be modest to anyone you have learned from him and to anyone is learning from you." Also out of loyalty to teachers, students need to ask about them and visit them whenever they are absent or sick. The famous poet Ahmed Shawqi said in a poem: pay due respect for your teacher, for a teacher's status is akin to that of a messenger. With this in mind, we pray to Allah to give success to our children and guide them through the path of knowledge. May Allah help us also to obey You, Your Messenger Muhammad pbuh and those You have decreed on us to obey in compliance with Your orders: "O you who believe, Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you." (Annisaa: 59). May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh and benefit us all in whatever is in them. I say this and ask Allah the Great, the Most Honoured for forgiveness for me, you and all the Muslims for every sin, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Source: http://www.awqaf.ae/Jumaa.aspx?Lang=EN&SectionID=15&RefID=2393
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