Examples of Compassion and Affection Towards Students

Examples of Compassion and Affection Towards Students

Imam Abu Yusuf RA said, “Treat your students with such sincerity and love that anyone observing would think they are your own children.” He also advised avoiding anger, especially in academic gatherings.

In the life of Imam Rabbani, it is written that once he noticed a student sitting on the floor reading the Quran. Realizing that he himself had extra carpeting under him, he immediately removed it and spread it beneath the student.

In contrast, today, if a student falls out of favor, often the first solution considered is expulsion, though this is not wise. No sensible person would approve of cutting off an entire limb because of an infection. Instead, proper treatment should be administered to save the limb and allow it to function. Similarly, if a student has faults, one should try to correct them through wisdom. Only if all measures fail should expulsion be considered.

Such were the examples of compassion. Today, however, minor issues result in severe punishments for students, as if they are enemies. Hazrat Hakim al-Ummah even prohibited teachers from hitting students for not memorizing their lessons. At their khanqah, there were strict orders against teachers hitting students; any issues were reported to the responsible authorities to assign an appropriate punishment.

If a student harbors resentment towards the teacher, they cannot benefit from their teachings. Fear of punishment often causes students to forget what they have learned. Some teachers even strike students’ faces, which is strictly prohibited in Hadith. Those who resort to such punishments should reflect on how they would wish to be treated themselves.