Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: The Teacher and His Teaching Methodologies

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

RASULULLAH, SALL-ALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM,- THE TEACHER

1. Qur'anic verses as regards to Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, being a teacher

2. The Sunnah testifies that Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is a teacher

3. History testifies to Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, perfect personality as a teacher

4. Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, encouragement towards the eradication of illiteracy and his warning against laxity as regards teaching and learning

5. A quick survey of Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, merits in the field of education and his grand character in this regard

6. Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, warning against knowledge that is of no benefit

7. Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, personality as a teacher

RASULULLAH'S, SALL-ALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM, TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

1. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by his beautiful way of life and great character

2. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches aspects of the Shari’ah in stages

3. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, follows a moderate way in teaching and in trying to remove boredom [from his students]

4. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, takes into consideration the individual differences of his students

5. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches through dialogue and questioning

6. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches through conversation and rational comparison

7. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, questions his companions in order to gauge their intelligence and knowledge

8. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by analogy and comparison

9. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by similes and examples

10. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by drawing on the ground

11. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, combines his speech and hand actions in teaching

12. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by raising a prohibited item with his hand in order to emphasise its prohibition

13. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, commences teaching his companions without their asking him

14. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, answers according to the question posed to him

15. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, replies to more than what he was asked

16. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by turning the attention of the questioner away from the actual question which he posed

17. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, asks for the question to be repeated so that he may give a full reply

18. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, asks another companion to reply to a question in order to train him

19. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, tests a learned person in a particular aspect in order to praise him if he is correct

20. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by remaining silent over what occurred in his presence

21. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, makes use of temporary opportunities in teaching

22. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by joking and humour

23. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, emphasises what he is teaching by taking an oath

24. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, repeats his words three times in order to emphasise his subject matter

25. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, bears in mind the importance of changing his posture and repeating what he said

26. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, gets the attention of his addressee by repeating a call while delaying the answer

27. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, grasps the hand or shoulder of his addressee in order to draw the latter’s attention 129

28. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, says something ambiguous in order to prompt the listener to inquire more about it so that it would increase his desire towards it or reprimand him from it

29. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, says something in general terms and then expounds on it so that it may be clearer and easier to remember and understand

30. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, enumerates certain things and then explains them one by one

31. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches through admonishment and reminder

32. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches through urging towards good and warning against evil - targhib and tarhib.

33. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches by narrating stories and anecdotes of past peoples

34. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, commences with a subtle preliminary when teaching something which could he embarrassing

35. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, suffices with mere allusion when teaching something that is embarrassing

36. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, pays particular attention to teaching and admonishing women

37. Rasulullah's, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, anger and reprimand in teaching if the situation demands the same

38. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, resorts to writing as a means of teaching and conveying a message

39. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, orders some of his companions to learn the Suryani language

40. Rasulullah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, teaches through his noble personality