Teaching and diminishing moral values

Teaching is defined as the process of addressing students’ needs, queries, and doubts and to make them understand new concepts or simply we can say, those who teach is known as a teacher. Teaching as a profession is a very challenging and demanding job. It is a very noble and dignified profession.

Teachers have a key role in formulating a dignified nation. They are adored and honored throughout the world, and they are the most honorable people in society because teaching is the foundation of all other professions, as Ashfaq Ahmed wrote in his book “Zawiya”, he articulates the level of respect given to him when he appeared before the Italian court and introduced himself as a teacher. Italian Judge stood up and announced, “Teacher in the court, Teacher in the court” and more he said, “The teacher has come to the court, a chair should be brought for the teac1221her.” One can see how much respect has been given to the teacher.

No futile cases can be filed against the Teacher in Europe because they are valued and respected. A Judge of the court stands up for the integrity of the teacher and treats him politely. In Pakistan, it’s crystal clear that most of the Pakistani students don’t respect their teachers.

Teachers are supposed to be given the utmost respect in our society, on the contrary, they are deprived of their legitimate right to respect. Character assassination of teachers is one of the moments that take place abundantly. Verily, the teachers have been suffered a lot and reckoned as the most deprived people of our society.

They have been insulted and beaten by students. There are two types of students; the decent students of the first category respect and admire them and the students of the second category disregard and neglect them. It has been observed that teachers are beaten by inglorious and obnoxious students, such incompetent persons don’t have a right to call themselves students. It is dejected to see the ruthless behavior of nescient and illiterate idiots unto a quite adorable personality of our society.

This may be happening due to the worst upbringing, unfortunately, parents are unable to inculcate the respect of the teacher into the minds of their children. A teacher is a quite appreciative personality of our society due to his/her belonging to a noble profession, and sorry to say, we don’t respect our teachers, this unpleasant behavior is needed to be abolished.

The majority of the students are of the view that teaching is a very noble profession, teachers should be given respect, must be revered, these all are “kitabi batein” (bookish things) and they believe, it has nothing to do with reality. Moreover, they reckon the ones who are unemployed pursue teaching as a career. One can see how much frivolous thoughts nescient students have had, and are not willing to give respect to their teachers. This prevailing mindset must be eliminated. To insult and disrespect a teacher ought to be called an egregious crime.

Apart from students’ behavior, even our state doesn’t express serious concerns about the admiration of the teachers. There are numerous incidents in which teachers are disregarded and an epic example of it, was the apprehension of Irfan Siddiqui. He was arrested under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for not informing the relevant police station about giving his house on rent. He was brought into the court in handcuffs without giving esteem to his noble profession.

We have experienced how have Amar Ali Jan, Tariq Ali, Dr. Amir Iqbal, and many others been treated in Pakistan. . It seems like the state wants to confine teachers to a particular narrative and doesn’t have any space for critical thinkers. As we know critical thinkers are a sign of a mindful nation, with the passage of time, critical thinkers have left Pakistan due to an unconducive environment. Our State has to encourage teachers who increase the critical faculties of the students and promote critical thinking. A few days ago, an abysmal ignorant in broad daylight killed a professor rank teacher in Peshawar. One can see how the environment is being created for teachers either they can save their life by leaving Pakistan or expressing their thoughts and getting assassinated. There are immense numbers of incidents in which teachers get persecuted.

What does Islam say about Teachers?

Islam pays extensive regard to them for their services and considers them the foundation of social development and embodiment of decency. The Holy Prophet PBUH emphasized teaching even when the battle of Baddar took place and almost 70 infidels got imprisoned. Numerous companions of the Holy Prophet suggested different handlings to do with prisoners. However, the holy Prophet PBUH decided to set every pagan free under the condition of paying the ransom, so each person who couldn’t afford the ransom had been assigned 10 students to educate them about writing and reading. Had students been able to read and write, then the tutor would be set free.

The Holy Prophet PBUH said, “If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise.” And another place the Holy Prophet said, “Whoever teaches a (branch) knowledge (that brings goodness to others) will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that detracting from his reward in the slightest.” Abu Umamah Al-Bahuli narrated that Rasool Allah SAW said, “Allah, his angels, those in heavens and on earth, even the ant in its nest and the fish (all of these) pray for the one who teaches people what is good.”

And in the Holy Quran, there are some verses in which knowledge seekers are highly encouraged. “Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal? It is only the men of intellect who heed advice” (39:9). “God will raise in ranks those of you believe and those who have been given knowledge. He is fully aware of all that you do” (58:11).
Aforesaid verses of the Holy Quran and Hadiths of The Holy Prophet clearly articulate the significance and highness of the teacher. It’s crystal clear that knowledgeable and ignorant can’t be equal, moreover, Allah SWT will confer knowledgeable people (Teachers, scholars, etc.) with high ranks.
At last, teachers must be given utmost respect instead of getting beaten, disregarded, and dishonored.

Disrespect of teachers shouldn’t be taken for granted. Laws ought to be passed in which disrespect of teacher ought to be considered as a predicate offense/ serious crime. Teachers don’t demand privileges from us, but respect.