Rights of Teachers
Besides, making acquisition of knowledge mandatory for Muslims, Islam has given the most respectable status to teachers as well. so that, respecting teachers will increase the status of knowledge and due to knowledge the status of humanity will soar: This status is not merely for a teacher that because of this profession, he has a link with the Holy Prophet.
The Holy Prophet said:
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ مُعلمات
Translation: Indeed! I have been sent as a teacher.
Respect and Honor: Teachers train new generation and correct their ideology and deeds. New generation is molded into the pattern shaped by them.
The Holy Prophet said about the respect of teachers, you have three fathers. One who brought you in existence from nothingness; second, the one who gave you his daughter and the third is one who gave you the wealth of knowledge. According to this hadees, there are three fathers of a person.
(i) Real father (ii) Father in law (iii) teacher
Obedience and serving: It is the right of teacher that student should obey and respect him. He should remember the kindness of his teacher for his whole life and should not disobey him. It is saying of Hazrat Ali : "The person from whom even I learned a single letter, I am his slave". Obedience and service are the sources of privilege and salvation. The honor to serve teacher is a source of pride for a student.
Recognition of Teacher's efforts: A teacher's instance is like a rain of knowledge and students like that of a ground. The land that has the ability to absorb. rain water, it becomes lush green due to the advantage of rain. It is the character of a teacher who is delighted to see his student preceding him. In reality,' he considers the success of his students to be his own success. Among Muslim, paying thanks to teacher can be understood through this tradition also that students adopt their teacher's name with their own names. In this way the teacher's name remains alive due to his/her brilliant students.
Following Instructions: It is essential for a student that whatever guidance and instructions are provided during teaching, he should follow that exactly. Since, those instructions are for his benefit. If he works inattentively, then he'll be facing distress, in addition it will be clear from a student's attitude that he doesn't have full respect for his teacher.
Humility: A student should always be humble and never be proud. Imam Ghazali says that a student should be like a barren land in front of a teacher that when there is rainfall on it, then it becomes alive, (fruitful)
Supplication: A teacher owes a lot to students. He teaches them humanity and beautifies them with the jewel of education. So, it is binding on a student to pray for his teacher in his life. Whenever, after education, he meets his teacher, he should greet his teacher at least. He should not behave as a stranger. Teachers are the reason for his position and status and when a teacher dies, he should pray for his forgiveness.
