Advice for Teachers

Question: Most of the attendees are teachers, whether in universities or in other schools at all levels. What is your advice for these teachers as they perform this mission?

Answer: My advice to everyone is to fear Allah, and to be a role model in good and an imam in knowledge and righteous action; so that students, employees, and others may follow their example. The teacher must be a role model in maintaining the prayers in congregation, hastening to them, growing the beard, not smoking, not letting the garment hang below the ankles, and in good manner and kind words, and in every good thing; so that he is a good role model in all his circumstances and wherever he is: in teaching, on the road, in the mosque, at home, on the plane, on the ship, in the car, and in every place. He should be a good role model known for his good morals, his righteous deeds, and his good manner. This is the obligatory duty of the people of knowledge, the teachers, and the leaders, such as the princes and others. Everyone is greater than the other according to the extent of his responsibility and according to his capacity, because people follow his example. Especially the scholars, for they are the leaders of the people and the successors of the messengers. Likewise, whoever is an imam among his people, such as the Shaykh of the tribe, the Amir of the town, or the senior figures in a hospital, a clinic, or elsewhere, must be a role model in good and must stay away from evil.
Therefore, the responsible person must seek out every good thing so that he is followed in it wherever he is, whether in the car, on the plane, on the ship, or in any place he is. It is prescribed for him to display righteous action, mindfulness of Allah, and beneficial knowledge, so that he is asked about it, so that people benefit from it, and so that they follow his example.
The responsible person must seek out every good thing so that he is followed in it wherever he is, whether in the car, on the plane, on the ship, or in any place he is. It is prescribed for him to display righteous action, mindfulness of Allah, and beneficial knowledge, so that he is asked about it, so that people benefit from it, and so that they follow his example.