10 Dec 2008
Teaching of the prophet (P.B.U.H) concerning sacrificing
3 Dec 2008
The Prophet’s Methodology in Teaching
Can you believe that the methodology used by our Prophet 14 centuries ago are nearly the very same used by modern schools?? This will let no room for doubt that Muhammad (pbuh) is certainly the ignorant teacher who brought illumination to both literates and illiterates. Above all, this fact will add an other argument of the truthfulness of our beloved teacher . But how was that????
The Prophet (PBUH) relied on the Divine methodology in teaching which was not theoretical, but an educational one , with different events and situations. Many modern researchers in the field of teaching are trying to bring to the task such methods that were innovated by the Apostle of Allah i.e. to make people take part in the learning process. To illustrate this point we have the following examples:
In teaching the grammar of a language, for example, we have ways: explicit and implicit grammar. Most modern pedagogues preferred the implicit way that means that learners deduce the rules from the examples they practise. The teacher's role comes at the end to give the right rule. Thus , the learner takes part in this process.
As for the Divine methodology used by the Prophet (PBUH), people used to learn from the events and situations. A problem happens, people deal with it the way they want, then, Allah sends Quranic ayahs to tell them where right is.
When we come to speak about the approaches used by the Prophet (PBUH) we find that they are the most important aspects at large in our task. Again, a question might be asked about their nature. In teaching, there are different approaches varying and evolving according to the designed goals, but for our Prophet's teaching, all the approaches are inspired and derived from the Holy Book " Quran ". The latter is valid for all the times and its goals, in addition to teaching different aspects of knowledge, are to provide a life style for people that cover all the sides in order to hold a good life. Quran was the miracle of the Ignorant Teacher who becomes afterwards, the teacher of mankind. It was verily Allah's gift for his creatures through His Apostle Muhammad (PBUH). We can learn this meaning from the last verses which were revealed on the Prophet (PBUH). Allah says what can be translated as: "Today I have completed your religion for you, and I have perfected My favor on you, and I am satisfied with Islam as a religion for you" (TMQ, 5:3).
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22 Nov 2008
Teaching or Preaching??
Sister: Tiaiba Imane ..
Attitudes of the good teacher:
There is always a large debate about which attitude a teacher should adopt in order to maintain good relationship with his learners. Some teachers prefer to be permissive where as others tend to be authoritative, but our Prophet (PBUH) used to have a very distinctive attitude: it was the one of a moderate person whose mercy comes before his anger. He used to owe the hearts of people and control their minds. The fact that he was dealing with different people made him adapting himself to their needs. We can understand this fact from this ayah which can be translated as: "And most certainly thou ( O Muhammad ) art of most sublime and exalted character " (Holy Quran 68 : 4 )
The Prophet (PBUH) based his teaching on the following points:
1. Reaching excellence: he (PBUH) adduces that the Muslim should challenge all his powers when doing something, either in the religious side or in the secular one. For example, Muslims when evoking Allah they should ask Him the highest degree in paradise that requires, in return, hard efforts in worshipping and doing good deeds. Therefore, if they could not reach this degree they will not be very far from it in the sense that they will remain always in paradise. This goes the same way with a good student whose aim is always to reach the highest level. Thus, he works hard .So in case of failure; his loss will not be of a great consideration as in all cases he is saved.
2. Using faith as a stimulus: the Prophet (PBUH) used to relate everything to religion i.e. to link success in the practical life with worshipping Allah, as good deeds are always connected with faith. Thus, the spiritual energy stands behind success. Allah says what can be translated as "… the ones who have believed and did deeds of righteousness… " ( TMQ,103:3 )
3. Motivation: it goes without saying that motivation is the key of success in any work. Researchers in the task of teaching adduce that motivation plays a vital role in learning. Many theories were developed to deal with this aspect; yet, they do not prove always to be valid. But let us see how our Prophet (PBUH) used to motivate his companions. He (PBUH) integrated an innovative way that is recently discovered: the reward and punishment theory. By relating the good deeds to paradise and the bad ones to hell. He (PBUH) stressed reward more than punishment, as he was aware about the nature of the human psyche that prefers to be reward. One might ask how? It is by making the concept of paradise concrete in his companions' minds using those elaborated ways that psychologists are trying to do in modern time such as the high ability to imagine.
