Teachers’ Day: Beyond Gifts and Ceremonies
Introduction
Every year on 5th September, Teachers’ Day is celebrated across India to honor educators and mentors who shape the future of society. Students express their gratitude through gifts, cultural events, lectures, and social programs. While these activities hold social value, Islam invites us to reflect on teaching and learning in a much deeper and spiritual sense.
In Islam, teaching is not just a profession but a sacred mission that began with Allah ﷻ, continued through the Prophets (Ambiya), was preserved by the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, and carried forward by scholars and teachers throughout history. Teachers are seen as the torchbearers of knowledge, builders of character, and inheritors of Prophetic legacy.
Therefore, Teachers’ Day, when observed through an Islamic lens, becomes more than a day of gifts and ceremonies; it becomes a reminder of the eternal bond between knowledge (Ilm), the teacher (Mu‘allim), and the student (Talib-ul-‘Ilm).
Allah – The First Teacher of the Universe
The very foundation of knowledge in Islam rests upon Allah’s teaching. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:31), Allah says:
“And He taught Adam the names – all of them.”
This verse indicates that Allah ﷻ is the first teacher. He imparted knowledge to Adam (A.S.), equipping humanity with the ability to learn, understand, and progress. Unlike animals, humans are gifted with intellect (‘Aql) and the ability to acquire knowledge, which makes them vicegerents (Khalifah) on earth.
Thus, the very act of teaching and learning is divine in origin. Teachers, in this sense, are continuing the work that Allah initiated.
Prophets as the Greatest Teachers
After Allah ﷻ, the Prophets were the greatest teachers for humankind. Their mission was not only to convey revelation but also to teach wisdom, purify souls, and build moral societies. The Qur’an testifies:
“Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:164)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself declared:
“Indeed, I have been sent as a teacher.”
(Ibn Majah)
His life was the perfect model of a teacher’s role. He taught in the mosque, in homes, in markets, during journeys, and on battlefields. He simplified complex ideas with analogies, answered questions patiently, and treated his students (the Sahabah) with dignity and compassion. His teachings combined intellectual wisdom with moral and spiritual development.
Khulafa-e-Rashideen and Early Muslim Scholars
After the Prophet ﷺ, the Khulafa-e-Rashideen (the Rightly Guided Caliphs) carried forward the responsibility of teaching and guiding. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) emphasized truthfulness and accountability, Hazrat Umar (R.A.) was known for justice and leadership, Hazrat Uthman (R.A.) for preserving the Qur’an, and Hazrat Ali (R.A.) for his depth of knowledge and wisdom.
Hazrat Ali (R.A.) beautifully said:
“He who teaches me a single word has made me his servant.”
This statement reflects the immense respect early Muslims had for their teachers.
The Islamic golden age further witnessed scholars like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Ghazali, Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi, and countless others, who became shining stars of knowledge. Their brilliance was nurtured in an atmosphere where teachers were revered and students sought knowledge with sincerity.
The Teacher’s Status in Islam
The Prophet ﷺ compared scholars and teachers to the inheritors of Prophets:
“The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave behind gold or silver, rather they left knowledge, and whoever takes it has taken a great share.”
(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)
Unlike worldly inheritance, the inheritance of Prophets is knowledge, which teachers safeguard and transmit. Thus, teachers in Islam are not merely employees of an institution; they are custodians of Prophetic wisdom.
Students’ Duties Towards Teachers
Islam places immense responsibility on students to respect and honor their teachers. This respect is not limited to words but extends to conduct, sincerity, and obedience. Classical scholars emphasized Adab al-Talib (etiquettes of students), including:
1. Approach with humility: Imam Shafi‘i (R.A.) said: “I used to turn the pages of my books very softly in front of my teacher out of respect for him.”
2. Seek knowledge for Allah’s sake: A student should purify intention, aiming for knowledge to serve humanity and please Allah, not merely for wealth or fame.
3. Avoid arrogance: True learning comes with humility, not pride.
4. Pray for teachers: One of the best gifts for a teacher is Dua.
5. Live as a reflection of their teaching: Students must embody the values and wisdom imparted by their teachers, becoming carriers of their legacy.
In Islam, teaching is not just a job but an Amanah (sacred trust). A teacher’s role is not limited to helping students pass exams or secure employment; it extends to shaping responsible, ethical, and compassionate individuals who contribute positively to society.
1. Teaching Beyond Livelihood
• The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of you are those who learn knowledge and teach it to others.” (Bukhari)
• A teacher who views teaching only as a salary-earning profession misses the higher spiritual and social purpose. Education in Islam is Ibadah (worship) if done with sincerity and the right intention.
2. Beyond Exams and Jobs
• Modern systems often equate success with grades, degrees, or jobs. But Islam emphasizes character, responsibility, and service.
• Imam Ghazali taught that knowledge without action is useless, and action without intention is wasted. Teachers must therefore nurture students’ hearts, not just their intellects.
3. What Students Give Back to Society
• The true measure of a teacher’s success is not how many students get employed, but how many become assets to humanity.
• A student should carry values of honesty, justice, compassion, and service into the world.
• As Allama Iqbal said, “Ilm sirf roshni hai, asal roshni woh hai jo insaan ke dil aur amal ko roshan kare.” (Knowledge is just light, but the real light is that which illuminates the heart and actions.)
4. Teacher as a Nation-Builder
• A teacher must aim to produce leaders, reformers, and thinkers, not just job-seekers.
• If teachers and students return to this mission, societies will once again see the rise of visionaries like Ibn Khaldun, Al-Biruni, and Allama Iqbal.
✅ So, the goal of both teaching and learning in Islam is not livelihood alone, but Tarbiyah (holistic nurturing) — producing men and women who contribute positively to family, community, and the Ummah.
Reality of Modern Teachers’ Day
Today, Teachers’ Day often becomes limited to formal events, parties, or material gifts. While these expressions are not wrong, they can sometimes overshadow the real purpose of honoring teachers.
The true “gift” from a student to a teacher is sincerity in learning, respect in conduct, and excellence in practice. Our modern education system, being heavily influenced by materialism, often overlooks this deeper bond. This is one of the reasons we are unable to produce intellectual and spiritual luminaries like Imam Ghazali, Shah Waliullah, or Allama Iqbal.
These personalities were not shaped by one-day ceremonies but by lifelong dedication, respect for teachers, and a pursuit of knowledge rooted in sincerity.
Conclusion
Teachers’ Day in Islam is not confined to a calendar date or cultural event. It is a continuous obligation of respect, gratitude, and sincere effort in learning. Teachers are the heirs of Prophets, the builders of nations, and the guardians of wisdom. Students, on their part, must honor teachers not only with gifts and words but with genuine dedication, humility, and by carrying forward their legacy in society.
If we return to this spirit, rooted in Islamic teachings, our community can once again produce scholars, thinkers, and reformers like Imam Ghazali, Ibn Khaldun, and Allama Iqbal — the gems of their times who illuminated the world with their knowledge.
“Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Thus, the best way to celebrate Teachers’ Day is to live as true seekers of knowledge and carriers of wisdom, honoring our teachers by embodying their teachings in our lives.
“Ya Allah! Bless all my teachers, past and present, with good health, long life, wisdom, and barakah in their sustenance.
Forgive their shortcomings, elevate their ranks in this world and the Hereafter, and make their knowledge a source of continuous reward for them (Sadaqah Jariyah).
Ya Rabb! Grant us the ability to honor them, to live by what they taught us, and to pass on this sacred trust to future generations.
Ameen.”
Comments