Introduction to Howzah StudiesLesson 5

Etiquettes of Learning (Part two)

By Sheikh Safdar Razi

Etiquette of the Student Towards His Teacher

• The teacher in Islam has a huge responsibility, and that is why he/she should be respected in the Muslim society.

• Our Infallibles (a.s.) though they were Imams (a.s.), and guides, were also teachers of teachers. They used to show great respect to the Muslim scholars and teachers of their time, so we must follow their example and do the same.

Imam Ali (a.s.) Gives Words of Advice:• Do not disturb the teacher with too many questions.

• If you enter a gathering, greet him with a special greeting.

• Sit in a humble manner in front of him.

• Do not make any disturbing gestures with your eyes or fingers in front of him.

• Do not avoid accompanying him when asked to do so.

• “The scholar is like a palm tree, you wait for the dates to fall from it, ...”

Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (a.s.)

Imam compiled books of rights for people. He mentions several rights for the teacher that a student must observe:

•Offer a teacher great respect.

•Respect the teacher’s congregation.

• Show humility in front of him.

• Listen carefully to the teacher’s speech.

• Come towards the teacher; do not make the teacher come towards you.

• Do not raise your voice over the voice of the teacher.

• Do not answer questions on behalf of the teacher.

• Do not speak with anyone in the teacher’s congregation.

• Do not backbite in the presence of a teacher.

• Defend a teacher if he is abused in your presence.

• Conceal a teacher’s defects.

Continued…

• Expose the teacher’s virtues.

• Do not make friends with enemies of the teacher.

• Do not create animosity with friends of the teacher.

• If you do all of the above, then the angels of Allah have witnessed that you are indeed seeking knowledge for His sake only, and have acquired knowledge for His sake and not for the sake of other people.

Continued…

Knowledge Requires SABR

• SABR or patience is required from the students. Many times there will be disagreements between the student and the teacher in which the student thinks that he is right. He may be right, but this is a kind of test from Allah, which many students ignore and do not pay heed to.

Learn from Prophet Musa (a.s.)

تعلمن أن على أتبعك هل موسى له قالرشدا علمت ا مم

صبرا معي تستطيع لن إنك قال

خبرا به تحط لم ما على تصبر وكيف

وال صابرا الله شاء إن ستجدني قالأمرا لك أعصي

(18:66) Musa said to him, “Shall I follow you on condition that you should teach me right knowledge of what you have been taught?”

(18:67) He said, “Surely you cannot have patience with me.

(18:68) “And how can you have patience in that of which you have not got a comprehensive knowledge?”

(18:69) He said, “If Allah pleases, you will find me patient and I shall not disobey you in any matter.”

Continued…

The Story of Musa (a.s.) and Khidr (a.s.) Teaches Us 8 Points:

1. Follow the teacher and do not drag the teacher towards you. Musa (a.s.) was told to go to Khidr (a.s.).

2. Obtain permission to follow a teacher.

3. Confess that the teacher has the knowledge you would like to learn.

4. Do not argue during the process of learning.

5. The teacher has the right to not teach. He makes the final decision.

6. Follow the teacher with patience.

7. If the teacher stops teaching, one cannot force him to continue teaching.

8. Prophet Musa (a.s.) without any doubt, is a great messenger and is one of the five special ranked prophets (a.s.). However, he taught us humility and modesty in respect of the teacher.

Continued…

The Spiritual Teacher is:

• like a father• like a messenger• like a guide• the successor of the Prophets (a.s.)• not an Infallible (a.s.) because he may make

mistakes and errors that should be concealed, forgiven, and appreciated

Address a Teacher with Respect by:

• Bowing the head

• Not looking into his eyes; lowering the gaze

• Speaking in a low tone of voice, with words of respect and appreciation

• Talking with humilityRemember all of these are a test for

everyone.

Be Thankful to Your Teacher.

• If you are thankful to Allah, then He will increase your knowledge and wisdom.

• It is mentioned in the narrations of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.):

“Thanking the one who bestows a favor is thanking Allah.”

Other Manners:

• Never precede a teacher while walking or talking

• Never interrupt a teacher’s speech • Never insult a teacher in front of anyone• Never ignore a teacher’s presence• Never argue with a teacher if he does

not wish to argue• Never lie, or try to deceive, or cheat a

teacher