The Prophet's Methods of Education

B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m

"Say: Are those who know equal to those who know not?"
(Az-Zumar 9)

Education

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The Prophet's Methods of Education

The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was a perfect teacher and instructor. As wonderful people like Aboo Bakr and`Umar radhiallaahu` anhum were all his students, the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam enjoyed brilliant teaching methods.

No wonder, Allaah, Glory be to Him, has decreed the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam to be an ideal example for all Muslims to follow. In this context, Allaah Almighty says, "Verily in the Messenger of Allaah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allaah and the last Day, and remembereth Allaah much." (Al-Ahzaab: 21)

In bringing up his Companions, Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam adopted various educational methods. The following are some of them:

Using illustrative parables

Aboo Bakr radhiallaahu` anhu said, "I heard the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam saying, 'Behold! Can anything of his dirt remain on the body of any one of you if there were a river at his door in which he washes himself five times daily?' They said, 'Nothing of his dirt will remain (on his body).' He said, 'That is like the Five Prayers by which Allaah obliterates sins.'" (Reported by Muslim)

Drawing the addressee's attention by means of making oaths

Aboo Shurayh radhiallaahu` anhu reported that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "By Allaah, he does not believe! By Allaah, he does not believe! By Allaah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that person, O Allaah's Messenger?" He said, "That person is he whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil." (Reported by Al-Bukhaari)

Being joyful in advice so that his Companions would not get bored

In this context, we recall the incident when a man came to the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam and said, "O Messenger of Allaah! Give me a mount." The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "We shall give you a she-camel's child to ride on." He said, "What shall I do with a she-camel's child?" The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam replied, "Do any others than she-camels give birth to camels?" (Reported by Aboo Dawood)

Considering the state of the addressee

Aboo Wa'il radhiallaahu` anhu reported that`Abdur-Rahman used to give a religious talk to the people on every Thursday. Once a man said, "O Aboo`Abdur-Rahman! (By Allaah) I wish if you could preach us daily." He replied, "The only thing which prevents me from doing so, is that I hate to bore you. No doubt, I consider your state in preaching by selecting a suitable time just as the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam used to do with us, for fear of making us bored." (Reported by al-Bukhaari)

Narrating stories

An-Nu`man ibn Bashir radhiallaahu` anhu reported that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of His believing slave-servant than that of a person who set out on a journey with a provision of food and drink on the back of his camel. He went on until he came to a waterless desert and he felt like sleeping. So he got down under the shade of a tree and was overcome by sleep, and his camel ran away. As he got up he tried to see it (the camel) standing upon a mound, but did not find it. He then got upon the other mound, but could not see anything. He then climbed upon the third mound, but did not see anything until he came back to the place where he had been sleeping previously. And as he was sitting (in utter disappointment) there came to him his camel, till that (camel) placed its nose string in his hand. Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave-servant than the person who found (his lost camel) in this very state." (Reported by Muslim)

Bearing the above in mind, teachers and instructors should study the Prophet radhiallaahu` anhu's methods of education and make use of them in bringing up the Muslim generations so that they would benefit themselves, their societies and the all humanity.