A blueprint for teaching – learning from the Prophet ﷺ
As a teacher, I often reflect on what the Prophet ﷺ would prioritise if he were in our position today. What would his main concern be? It’s a big question and I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I began searching through the Qur’an, hoping to find a clearer picture of the Prophet’s ﷺ attributes, through which we might begin to reimagine his educational vision.
The first point that stood out to me is this: the Prophet ﷺ was human.
“Say, ‘I am only a man like you.’”
{Surah Al-Kahf 18:110}
Allah also says:
“Indeed Allah conferred a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them a messenger from among themselves.”
{Surah Aali ’Imran 3:164}
The emphasis here is that he was one of us, a human being. This is significant. It means we can relate to him. It means his struggles, his emotions, and his experiences are accessible and relevant to us. And this has implications for anyone in a position of teaching or leadership.
As educators, this teaches us a critical lesson: our students should be able to relate to us. Our humanity is not a weakness — it’s a bridge. Being human means making mistakes. Just as students are bound to slip up, so are teachers. Yet often, we behave as if we are above error, placing the full burden of imperfection on our students.
But true humility is in saying, “Yes, that was a mistake, and I’m sorry.”
And let’s be honest, it’s not easy for a teacher to say that. It’s humbling. Yet we expect students to apologise, admit wrongs, and show remorse, while we sometimes fail to model the same behaviour ourselves.
From my own experience, I know how difficult this can be. We could spend an entire session just discussing this one aspect of prophetic teaching, but for now, I want to take you through more of these beautiful lessons.
The mercy of the Prophet ﷺ
Another attribute that Allah uses to describe the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Qur’an is mercy.
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
{Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107}
This is a reminder that our approach to teaching, and to leading others, must be from a place of rahmah (mercy). Yes, we have rules. Schools have policies, behaviour codes, and procedures. But rahmah should take precedence over rigid enforcement. The spirit of the law must outweigh the letter of the law when compassion demands it.
We often forget this. We can become so focused on discipline, deadlines, and expectations that we neglect to ask ourselves: Is this how the Prophet ﷺ would have responded? Mercy does not mean abandoning principles—it means embodying them with gentleness.
Bring light to darkness
A third quality mentioned in the Qur’an is the Prophet’s ﷺ mission to liberate people from darkness:
“…to bring people out of darkness into light…”
{Surah Ibrahim 14:1}
This was the essence of his role, and it must be ours too. As educators and mentors, we are not merely delivering information. We are guides, helping people move from confusion to clarity, from misguidance to light.
Today, we face new forms of darkness. Whether it’s the erosion of identity, the bombardment of children with harmful ideologies, or the distortion of Islam through abuse carried out in its name, these are modern poisons corrupting the purity of our young.
I’ve worked with families where children have left Islam because of the trauma they witnessed at home. Some fathers beat their wives and tell their children, “This is allowed in Islam.” The result? These children reject not just their parents, but Islam itself. They want no part of a faith that, in their eyes, condones cruelty.
Look beyond the behaviour
As teachers, we often deal with students who seem difficult – troubled, disruptive, inattentive. But we must train ourselves to look deeper. That child acting out in class may be carrying wounds from home. What we see as misbehaviour may in fact be a cry for help.
And so, we must find the balance. Not jumping to extreme measures, immediately calling social services or authorities, but also not turning a blind eye. We must be observant, aware, compassionate, and wise.
Carrying forward the prophetic legacy
The overall mission of the Prophet ﷺ was to bring people out of darkness, out of disbelief, of shirk, of sin, of confusion, and into the light: the light of faith, the light of Qur’an, the light of obedience and closeness to Allah ﷻ.
“To bring people out from darkness into the light.”
{Surah Ibrahim 14:1}
This is not just a mission of the past. It is a responsibility we inherit, especially those of us in teaching, parenting, leadership, or influence. If we embody the Prophetic qualities of mercy, humility, and wisdom, then we too can be lights in dark times.
The impression left by the Prophet ﷺ
Allah describes the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in one of the most well-known verses of the Qur’an:
“And indeed, you are upon an exalted standard of character.”
{Surah Al-Qalam 68:4}
As teachers, this should be at the heart of our approach. Every one of us remembers the teachers who left a lasting impression on our lives, both the inspiring ones and, unfortunately, the ones who caused harm. The Prophet ﷺ is the role model of good character. He was never harsh, never dismissive, never impatient.
Ask yourself: What will my students remember about me? Will they say, “She made me love learning,” or will they say, “I dreaded being in his class”? Let’s be remembered for our compassion, not our control.
We all have flaws. We all lose our patience sometimes. But our students often become mirrors, showing us the gaps in our character. They teach us patience, humility, and self-awareness. We might think we are the ones doing the teaching, but many times, they are the ones teaching us. If we are humble enough to admit our weaknesses, we can grow from these daily interactions. And when we grow, our students benefit more than we realise.
Witness, Bearer of Good News, and the smiling Prophet ﷺ
Allah also says:
“O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner.”
{Surah Al-Ahzab 33:45}
The Prophet ﷺ is a shaahid, a witness over our deeds. On the Day of Judgement, he will testify for or against us based on how we lived. This is a weighty reality, and it should influence how we carry ourselves in both private and public life.
He is also a mubashshir, a bringer of glad tidings. The word bushra in Arabic refers to good news, to hope, to joy. The Prophet ﷺ was someone who radiated hope, even in the darkest times.
When you read Shama’il al-Tirmidhi, you’ll come across narrations that describe how the Prophet ﷺ always had a smile on his face. No matter how hard the day, no matter the personal or communal trials he faced, he greeted others with a smile. That smile wasn’t just courtesy, it was a reflection of deep trust in Allah.
Smiling in hardship is not easy. It’s a form of inner jihad, a struggle of the soul. But when you have a heart full of tawakkul (trust in Allah), you know relief is coming. The Prophet’s ﷺ smile was a sign of certainty that Allah would never abandon him.
The One who nurtures
In Surah al-Fatihah, we say:
“All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
{Surah Al-Fatihah 1:2}
Allah chose the name Rabb al-‘Alameen, not Khaliq (Creator), not Razzaq (Provider), though He is all of these and more. Rabb means the One who nurtures, raises, sustains, and takes care of every detail of our lives, from the tiniest to the greatest.
If Allah is our Rabb, then we are His servants, and just as He nurtures us, we must nurture those under our care. That’s what true teaching is.
Optimism
The Prophet ﷺ was bashir, he gave people hope. He never told someone, “You’ll never amount to anything,” or “You’re a failure.” On the contrary, he uplifted, encouraged, and inspired.
As educators, we should do the same. Too often, students hear messages that break their spirit. Instead, let’s remind them:
“Yes, you can overcome this. You may struggle, but with patience, perseverance, and trust in Allah, you will succeed.”
Let us be bringers of good news. Let us smile through the hardship. Let us embody the character of the Prophet ﷺ in every classroom, every lesson, and every heart we reach.
The Prophet ﷺ loved optimism, and he taught us to be optimistic. Optimism wasn’t just his attitude, it was his outlook on life, that stemmed from his complete trust in Allah.
Surat Al Fatiha draws our attention to Allah’s mercy, provision, and care. It teaches us to start with gratitude, to see the full half of the cup. The core of optimism is Alhamdulillah. A mindset of appreciation that serves as a powerful antidote to despair and depression.
Balancing mercy with limits
While the Prophet ﷺ was bashir, a bringer of good news, he was also nadhir, a warner.
“A bringer of glad tidings and a warner.”
{Surah Al-Ahzab 33:45}
This balance is vital. Mercy doesn’t mean permissiveness. Rahmah doesn’t mean removing all boundaries. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to embody kindness within limits.
Today, many in the West have broken these limits, whether societal, moral, or spiritual. Like a floodgate that’s been smashed open, society is now drowning in confusion and chaos. This is the natural result when the boundaries set by divine guidance are ignored.
We, as followers of the Prophet ﷺ, must revive that balance: mercy with discipline, hope with responsibility, compassion without compromise.
Be callers to Allah
Allah says:
“And one who invites to Allah…”
{Surah Al-Ahzab 33:46}
The Prophet ﷺ was a caller to Allah, and so are we. Whether we recognise it or not, every one of us represents the message of Islam through our behaviour, speech, and character. We either invite others toward the truth, or we push them away by how we act.
In his final sermon at Arafah, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Convey from me, even if it is one verse.”
(Bukhari)
He entrusted us with the responsibility of continuing his legacy. But the message must be delivered in the prophetic way, with patience, wisdom, and deep sincerity.
“Your duty is only to convey the message.”
{Surah Ash-Shura 42:48}
This trust has been passed down from generation to generation until it has reached us in 1447 AH. Now it’s our turn to protect it, understand it, and deliver it, just as the Prophet ﷺ did.
Guide others with light
Allah says of the Prophet ﷺ:
“Indeed, you guide to the straight path.”
{Surah Ash-Shura 42:52}
The Prophet ﷺ was not only a messenger but a guide, his presence lit the way for others. As educators, parents, and leaders, we too must become sources of light, guiding those around us, especially the next generation, toward the straight path.
If we embody these prophetic attributes: mercy, optimism, balance, sincerity, then we are preserving and living the message of Islam.
Dealing with children
Should we treat younger and older children differently?
Yes, but wisely. It depends on the child, the situation, and their needs. Younger children may need more tenderness, while older children often require more structure and discipline. But both require rahmah. Discipline should never come without mercy, and mercy should never cancel discipline. That balance is part of the prophetic method.
Ya Allah, enable us to follow in the footsteps of Your beloved Prophet ﷺ. Make us messengers of goodness and light in our communities. Fill our hearts with Your love and the love of Your Messenger ﷺ. Help us to embody his mercy, to teach with wisdom, to guide with sincerity. Make us strong in faith, yet soft in heart. And grant ease and relief to our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Ameen.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim to Al Bayyinah School on 5th July 2025
Transcribed by Z Sheikh
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