Excerpts From: Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ: The Teacher and His Teaching Methodologies

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This book is an excellent read for scholars, tutors, and educators in general. It discusses the character of the Prophet (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) as a muʿallim and the usage of his various methodologies to educate those around him, whether young or old, male or female, in effective ways. The author, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Fattāḥ (raḥimahullāh) has collected many aḥādīth to support and explain the various chapters of his book. It is a beautiful compilation of ḥadīth, sīrah, and shamāʾil all in one. Many of us are involved in some form of teaching, while others are still learning in order to become a teacher. Whichever the case, this book inspires and teaches how one can develop one’s teaching methods and character as a teacher in order to imitate the Prophet (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam). Thereafter, one can collect the fruits and benefits of following the sunnah of the Prophet (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam).

Below is a concise list of some of the Prophet (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam)‘s teaching methods:

1. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) taught the religious rulings little by little (bi at-tadrīj). He explained the most important first and followed it with the lesser important matters. He did this so that it can easily be understood and memorised by the listeners.
2. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) taught a moderate amount and left breaks in the middle. He did this to avoid letting the listeners get bored and tired.
3. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) taught every group according to their level of understanding and answered every individual according to his situation. For instance, he told a youngster that he cannot kiss his wife while fasting but an elderly man that he can. When asked regarding the reason, he explained that an elderly man can control himself, whilst a youngster might not be able to.
4. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would regularly start his lesson by posing a question to the Companions in order to get them to start thinking and allowing them to discuss. For instance, he asked them questions like: “Do you know who is a muflis?” “Do you know who a Muslim is?” “If someone were to wash themselves five times, would any dirt remain on him?” Then, after hearing the responses of the Companions, he would reveal the answers to them.
5. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would explain various matters through examples. For instance, he said on one instance: “The example of a believer that recites the Qurʾān is like an utrujja: it tastes good but smells good. And the example of a believer that does not recite the Qurʾān is like a date: it tastes good but does not have a smell…”
6. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) explained certain matters by drawing a diagram, or lines. For instance, on one instance, he drew a straight line, then drew two lines to its right and two lines to its left. He then placed his hand on the middle line and recited the verse: {This is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way…} (Qurʾān 1:153) until the end.”
7. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) emphasised and explained certain things through visual gestures and demonstrations. In one instance, he indicated with his index finger and middle finger to explain the nearness of the Last Day. In another instance, to explain that one believer to another is like a wall, he interlocked his fingers.
8. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would answer questions. Sometimes, he would answer more than what was asked. At times, he would counter-question the questioner. Like when he was asked: “When is the Last Day?” He answered: “What have you prepared for it?”
9. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would sometimes say amusing and funny things while teaching, but his speech would always be the truth.
10. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would repeat things more than once, usually three times, until it was understood.
11. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would at times place his hand on the listener’s shoulder or palm, or (lightly) strike the thigh of his companions. This was also to get their attention.
12. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would at times, explain through advising and reminding. At other times, he would explain by inspiring or causing fear.
13. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would teach by relating a story or an incident of the past, like how he related the story of the three infants that spoke in infancy.
14. When answering private matters, he (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would answer modestly and at times, only would only allude to the answer. Regarding menstruation, when he said: “…After that, take scented cotton and purify yourselves,” Asmāʾ (raḍī Allāhu ʿanhā) asked: “How do we purify ourselves?” He replied out of modesty: “Subḥānallāh! [Simply] purify yourselves!” So ʿĀʾishah (raḍī Allāhu ʿanhā) explained: “Cleanse the remains of the blood (ḥayḍ).”
15. He (ṣal Allāhu ʿalayhī wa-sallam) would at times express anger and get upset when situations demanded it. For example, when he found the Companions arguing about Qadr (predestination), he said while his face turned red: “Is this what I have commanded you (to do)?!” or, “Is this what you have been created for?!”