Once a teacher, always be a teacher...

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate; blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Reflection
"Anyone who obeys the Messenger has obeyed God..." (Nisaa 4:80)

CIKGU Azizan Manap, 44, of Nilai is nowadays in the limelight...his 'hard' way in disciplining one of his pupils  reminded me of this 'hadith' - Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said: “Order your children to perform prayer when they are seven years old and beat (cane) them (for neglecting it) when they are ten.” (Al-Albaani)

Scholars said the Prophet s.a.w. did not order beating children who neglect prayers before the age of ten, though, he ordered the parent to command his children to perform the prayers when they are seven. 

This means that there are three years left between the two stages. The Prophet s.a.w. delayed using beating for three years and only allowed the parent to verbally direct and discipline during this period. He considered the negative consequences of beating that should be avoided by those who assume the upbringing of children.

They said if the parent keeps ordering his child to perform the prayers for three years and the child keeps refusing, this means that he is stubborn and therefore he deserves beating. This wise approach of using beating leads to positive results, provided that it is not severe. That is because severe beating results in negative consequences. The child feels that the one who beats him hates him and uses beating as a means of revenge, not of discipline and upbringing.

An American Muslim scholar, Sheikh Abdilbary Yahya, said teachers of Islam should refrain from actions that go against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in order to keep the faith of their flock strong. Teachers should emulate the Prophet’s way characterized by love and wisdom.

He said Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was a successful teacher because he showed respect and love for his students. He was kind, showed humility, was merciful, desired best results from his listeners, used wisdom in his messages and did not scold or cane anyone, but treated everyone as “best friend (and) companion.”

Thus teaching is an important, respected and well-regarded profession in every society and community. People from all walks of life find it professionally and personally a well-rewarding career. It is an exciting and challenging career too...in our society the respect towards teachers is for life - they say once a teacher, always be a teacher. A retired teacher is still called a 'cikgu' and command high respect among the people.

Now let us look at Cikgu Azizan's case. On Tuesday (Dec 19) this 'cikgu' who was facing a charge of causing hurt to his student was given a discharge not amounting to acquittal by the magistrate's court in Seremban.

Magistrate Mohd Zaki Abdul Rahim delivered judgement after the prosecution told the court that they wished to withdraw the case. Cikgu Azizan, had on Oct 31 claimed trial to a charge of allegedly slapping a male pupil aged 11 for indiscipline, which including being involved in glue-sniffing, bullying and playing truant.

He was charged under section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and faces up to a jail sentence of up to a year, a fine of RM2,000 or both upon conviction.

According to some teachers including the writer's wife who is teaching at a secondary school, charging this teacher in court after a complaint by the parents will inhibit other teachers from punishing their students.

They said disciplining pupils and imparting knowledge to them could not be separated. "How you would teach when the bunch of pupils in your class are jumping and running?" urged my wife.

Thus teachers had to discipline pupils and during the process, at times they had to resort to 'the hard ways' such as being undertaken by Cikgu Azizan who was reported to slap the pupil.

"If teachers could not take action on pupils, I am afraid one day they would only focus on teaching and leave disciplining matters to the relevant authorities such as the education department and the police," said a teacher.

Asked about the slapping incident, an 'ustaz' said in the first place, it should be avoided. There are several 'hadiths' that prohibit slapping on the face for example Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger s.a.w. as saying: When any one of you fights with his brother he should avoid striking at the face. (Sahih Muslim)

Another 'ustaz' commented that a husband should never, never slap his wife on the face to teach her and even animals such as a cat should not be punished by hurting its face!  Scholars said the face is so critical emotionally and anatomically that the harm done there is a lot worse than any other part of the body.

They said the face (head) is were our skull is...so brain damage is on the list. All of our senses are there. The face is very sensitive and filled with pain and touch receptors and when someone is hit in the face it effects his/her dignity which will effect his personality.

Subhanallah, a lot of lessons could be learned from Cikgu Azizan's case. The writer is not siding to any side but would like to highlight on the high respect of society towards teachers - well they say once you are a teacher, you would always be a teacher! 

But please do remember, not only a ‘cikgu’ or an ‘ustaz’ is entrusted to give light to society but it is a duty for all. In Islam, it is an obligation for all to do the da’wah (calling to Islam) work. The Muslim does not think little of whatever knowledge he has if he is calling others to Allah. It is sufficient for him to convey whatever he has learned of the truth, even if it is just one aayah (sentence) from the Book of Allah.

This is what the Prophet s.a.w. used to tell his Companions to do: “Convey (knowledge) from me even if it is just one aayah…” (Bukhari). This is because whether or not a person is guided may depend on just one word of this aayah which will touch his heart and ignite the spark of faith, so that his heart and life will be illuminated with the light of guidance, and he will be a new man. 

Even though a teacher is look upon as the best resource for a child it during his or her growing years, a parent is really the child's first teacher and critical to his or her achievement in life. In fact teaching the family is an obligation which the head of the household (the father) must undertake in obedience to the command of Allah SWT, “O’ you who believe, protect yourself and your families from a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is people and stones…” (Qur’an 66:6)

‘Ali ibn Abi Talib r.a. said: “Teach them (our children) and discipline them” while At-Tabari said: “We must teach our children and wives the religion and goodness, and whatever they need of good manners. If the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. used to urge teaching the female servants, who were slaves, what do you think about your children and wives, who are free?”

Yes, in true sense everybody is a ‘cikgu’ (teacher); a father is a teacher to his wife and children, a boss is a guidance in his or her office; a ‘wakil rakyat’ (people’s representative) is entrusted for the well being of his or her constituents while top leaders are unanswerable to all matters regarding the country and its people. 

Thus nobody should uttered damaging words such as 'Kepala bapak kau' (Your father's head) or hash action such as slapping others. Regarding this, the Prophet s.a.w. said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock (i.e. those over whom you have authority.” (Bukhari and Muslim)