Everyone in this world has his own likes and dislikes. So is case with choosing one’s profession. There are many professions to choose from. But most of people have got some pet profession that they like most. In childhood, everyone talks of becoming a teacher, barrister, a doctor or an engineer but some like to become politicians, statesmen, officers in army, navy and air force. It is quite difficult to choose a profession.

I believe that teaching is most important profession in world. Teaching is hope for better, more successful futures. Learning is hope for becoming better individuals, for gaining intelligence and for implementing practical experiences in our future. Becoming an educator, especially in recent years has been considered one of most demanding yet rewarding professions in work force today. Teaching, with its benefits and intellectual motives has risen to become one of most sought after jobs in society.

Teaching Profession is an honorable and esteemed profession. It is one of most important professions as it shapes future of nation. It is a profession that requires dedication, sincerity and commitment. Teaching is an art and a science. It is an art because it involves creativity and innovation. It is a science because it involves knowledge and understanding. A good teacher is one who can combine both these aspects to create an effective learning environment for his or her students.

Teaching is one of most respectful and valuable professions in world. In religion Islam, this profession has more importance as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) introduced himself as a teacher. Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran:  “Like (a favor which you have already received) in that We have sent among you a Messenger of your own, rehearsing to you Our verses, and purifying you and instructing you in scripture and wisdom and in new knowledge” (Quran, 2:  151).  According to this verse of Holy Quran Holy Prophet (SAW) were sent to teach about Holy Book Quran, wisdom and unknown things to people of this world.

Especially in Islam, a teacher has highest rank among all professions.  It is like Sadqa Jariyah because when you teach something to someone, that knowledge goes to longer terms. Allah says:

‏ “And obey God and His Messenger, that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al Imran 3:132)

Islam has given a lot of importance to a teacher. There is a famous saying of Hazrat Ali (RA) in which he said that if a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime. A teacher is person who shapes personality, opens one’s mind and guides him or her towards the right path; in short, a teacher helps in moulding a person’s personality as well as character.

According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is responsibility of teacher to ensure fairness in his dealings with students. This means that the teacher should not discriminate or give preference to one student over another on basis of materialistic parameters like their social status.

According to different quotes in Islam, a teacher is person who shapes personality, opens one’s mind and guides him or her towards right path, in short, a teacher helps in molding person’s personality as well as character. Teachers play most significant role in a student’s life. Starting from a really young age, a teacher grasps student’s finger and takes him or her to point where he or she is successful. Doctor, engineers, scientists, astronauts and politicians etc. all achieve their dreams due to politeness, strictness, punishments and love of their teachers. Not only this, but our educators also help in shaping our personality and making us a better person.

Islam teaches us to respect our teachers, listen to them and be dutiful. Why? Well, there are several reasons; they help you learn, they care and love you like parents, treat you like their own, be a little harsh just so can stay away from wrongdoings and mold you into a better person. Allah gives teachers second highest rank after our parents because they are reason we learn and be what we want to be.

According to Hazrat Ali (RA), history is best teacher. It teaches us where we went wrong so we can avoid it in future. It is a clarified fact that if mistakes of history are neglected, history will repeat itself. This is main reason why Islam teaches us to take lessons from history in order to protect our future.  Importance of teachers cannot be mentioned in a word, or a paragraph or even an essay. If we choose teaching as a career, we will be able to teach a variety of different things including preschool, home-school and higher education. You could teach middle school or high school and teach at college level or teach kindergarten or elementary school and work at elementary or junior high level. It can be a career you can pursue in order to make a difference in lives. We can also say that teaching is a stressful job, which means that some people are discouraged and turn down opportunity to teach. However, teachers do not have much time off, since students usually need to meet with them on a daily basis. Therefore, they have to be at their best and available. Job also requires a lot of patience, because students can be difficult to deal with. Teaching profession is a demanding one. It requires long hours and hard work. But it is also a very rewarding profession.

Teaching is therefore one of most important professions in world. It is a profession that shapes future of nation. It is a profession that requires dedication and commitment. And, in all, teacher is all who shapes destiny of world. Islam tells us how our teachers consume themselves to pave way their students. A good teacher is one who will put in an effort no matter what situation is and light the way for his students in every situation and circumstance. Not only our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) but his Companions preached to value and obey our teachers as well. According to a Hadith, everything in this world is cursed, except one who helps in remembrance of Allah. Thus, a teacher is person who helps us remember Allah, therefore he or she needs to be valued like we value our parents.

A teacher is not perfect, and like for anybody, his faults must be overlooked but since he has a great responsibility he must hold himself to higher accountability. Though, it is important that a teacher should strive to continue to get more knowledge, righteous conduct, and build tolerance and patience in himself.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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