The Prophet ﷺ is the ideal example to follow in all aspects of life, including education and teaching. He was the best educator and teacher for his Companions, and he spent many hours teaching them detailed aspects of the religion.
It is important to understand that education and training are complex processes. They involved more than just teaching the principles of religion and the rules of Islamic law. A teacher must first make a connection with his or her student, and then continually strive to establish concepts firmly in their minds and hearts through the utilization of various methods. For this purpose, the Prophet ﷺ varied his technique which depend upon the nature of the topic or problem, the personality of the person(s) involved, and situational or circumstantial aspects.
There are many examples of the Prophet’s (PBUH) method of education. Here are some of the strategies of his teaching methods:
(1) The Prophet (PBUH) would often repeat his lesson three times to the same people.
(2) He utilized analogies to enhance the imagination and curiosity of the listeners. For example, the Prophet (PBUH) asked his companions, “What would be the situation of someone who has a river at his door and every day, five times a day, he comes out and he takes a bath in that river? At the end of the day would he have any dirt on himself?” They responded, “There would be no dirt on him”. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Similarly there are the five prayers cleansing the person in this way.”
(3) As the Prophet (PBUH) used analogy to explain a topic verbally, he also used illustration to make a point graphically. In this context, the Prophet drew a straight line through the sand and then drew lines to the right and lines to the left of the first line. Then while the people were looking attentively at the drawing, he recited the Quranic verse “And verily, this (Allah’ commandments) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path” (Quran; 6:153)
(4) On other occasion, he illustrated his point using his hand as once he said, “I and the one who takes care of the orphans are in paradise, like this (as he was speaking, he interlaced his fingers).”
(5) His teachings were also based on living experiences as opportunity to instruct. For example, The Prophet (PBUH) once was with some companions to prepare food. He asked them to slaughter a sheep. One companion said he would do that, another said he would skin it, and a third said he would cook it. Then the Messenger of Allah (SWT) replied, “I will collect wood for the fire.” They said, “No, we will do that work for you.” The Prophet (PBUH) answered, “I know that you can do it for me, but Allah (SWT) hates to see a servant of his privileged above others.” And the Prophet went and collected firewood.
(6) The Prophet at times would readdress a question to a subject that is more significant and instructive. Once a Bedouin asked the Prophet (PBUH): “When is the hour?” [The Day of Judgment]. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “What have you prepared for that final hour?” The Bedouin said, “I haven’t prepared a lot of salah (good deeds) and I haven’t prepared a lot of zakah (charity) but I am preparing one thing which is my love for Allah (SWT) and His messenger.” The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “You will be with who you love.”
