A teacher who distinguishes between his students, being strict with some and gentle with others; what is your advice to him?
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The questioner : A teacher who distinguishes between his students, being strict with some and gentle with others; what is obligatory for him in such a situation, may he be rewarded?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the teacher to be just among the students, so he does not favor a relative because of his kinship, nor a friend because of his friendship, nor a rich person because of his wealth, nor a noble person because of his nobility, nor a poor person because of his poverty, nor a lowly person because of his low status. He must be just among the students such that he reads the answers, if they are answers, free from any bias, as if they were answers from people he does not know, because he is accountable before Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for justice in his authority over those whom Allah has placed under his care, so let him prepare for the correct answer.
And I say to this teacher: Have you considered if you had a son and his teacher wronged him in his rights or preferred others over him without reason, would you not be displeased with him?
And the answer is: Yes, he would certainly be displeased with him. If that is the case, then let him treat the children of people as he would like his own children to be treated. So the teacher should fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and treat the children of people as he would like his own children to be treated, so that his faith in Allah is realized. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 13.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the teacher to be just among the students, so he does not favor a relative because of his kinship, nor a friend because of his friendship, nor a rich person because of his wealth, nor a noble person because of his nobility, nor a poor person because of his poverty, nor a lowly person because of his low status. He must be just among the students such that he reads the answers, if they are answers, free from any bias, as if they were answers from people he does not know, because he is accountable before Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for justice in his authority over those whom Allah has placed under his care, so let him prepare for the correct answer.
And I say to this teacher: Have you considered if you had a son and his teacher wronged him in his rights or preferred others over him without reason, would you not be displeased with him?
And the answer is: Yes, he would certainly be displeased with him. If that is the case, then let him treat the children of people as he would like his own children to be treated. So the teacher should fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and treat the children of people as he would like his own children to be treated, so that his faith in Allah is realized. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.
لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسهThe questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.