RasulAllah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has provided an example with regards to all aspects of life. Here are some of the examples of excellence from the teaching practice of RasulAllah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam.
1.) Questioning:
It’s well established that any good teacher knows how to ask good questions that stimulate and elicit responses from students. Researchers claim that this is important because it gets students actively engaged with the material, whereby they reflect on the material presented, learn the extent of their already established knowledge, and learn from the responses of other students.
Narrated Ibn Omar (radiyAllahu anhu):
The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt too shy to answer. The others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Hadith #58)
2.) Parables:
Teaching through parables helps students to learn new information by relating it to a concept they already easily understand. It teaches them how to use metaphor in order to convey complex meaning, how to create connections between themes and topics, and allows for more substantial intake and memorization.
RasulAllah sallalhu alaihi wa sallam is recorded to have said: “My parable among the Prophets is that of a man who built a house and did a good and complete job, apart from the space of one brick which he did not put in its place. The people started to walk around the building, admiring it and saying, “If only that brick were put in its place. ” Among the Prophets, I am like that brick.” (Recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said “Hasan Sahih).
3.) Leading by example:
One of the most essential tools is to provide adequate examples within every lesson. This can either be done indirectly through modelling or can be done explicitly through the citation of specific examples.
3.a.) Modelling:
The Prophet himself was the best of examples:
Verily in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much (33:21).
3.b.) Explicit example:
On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said : the messenger of Allah said : “Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said: “O ye messengers ! Eat of the good things and do right”. And Allah the Almighty has said : “O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you”
Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying] : “O Lord! O Lord!” – while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered !” (related by Muslim).
Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying] : “O Lord! O Lord!” – while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered !” (related by Muslim).
4. Accepting of Mistakes:
Accepting mistakes makes for an open and comfortable atmosphere wherein students don’t feel pressured to produce perfect results. This is important because it encourages freer participation and a stronger likelihood for creativity to emerge.
The Prophet sallallu alaihi wa sallam acknowledged: “Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent“. (At-Tirmidhi)
5.) Providing Feedback:
Feedback is one of the most essential tools for any person’s growth… and no student can ever truly know how they’ve progressed without being given feedback.
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said, as recorded by Bukhari and Muslim, a man entered the mosque when the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was sitting there. The man prayed two raka and then came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and offered salam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) exchanged the greeting and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” So the man went back, offered two raka prayer like he did the first time and then came back and repeated the salam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) exchanged the greeting and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” So the man went back, prayed two raka like he did the first time and then came back and greeted the salam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) greeted him back and then said, “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.” He said it three times until on the third time the man said, “By He who sent you with the truth O Messenger of Allah, I do not know any better than this. Teach me.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “If you stand up for Salah say ‘Allahu Akbar.’ Then read what comes easy for you from the Quran. Then bow until you are comfortable in your ruku. Then stand up until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood. Then sit until you are comfortable in your Juloos. Then prostrate until you are comfortable in your Sujood. And do this in your entire Salah.”
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