A BEND THE BAMBOO SERIES
You Are
Your Manners
~ Manners as a student ~
Aydarus Ahmad Alhabshi
Back Cover story
Ali waited for his dad to pick him up from school. His eyes wandered, watching what was happening around him. He noticed a confident boy walking as if there were springs on his feet. Boosted by his popular and expensive super-red shoes, he walked with striking confidence. A girl nearby was also walking confidently to her father’s car. It was a sleek black car. Another boy confidently cycled through the crowd on his new mountain bike, with pedals that cost $200 alone. A proud boy, known as the school's best footballer, also walked with super confidence.
Suddenly, someone patted Ali's shoulder.
It was his favourite teacher, Mr. Umar.
Mr. Umar is Ali’s Moral Education teacher.
He asked him, 'What are you thinking about?'
'I was watching the other students and wondering if you need to be somebody or have something in order to be a confident person,'
said Ali.
Mr. Umar smiled, lowered himself until he was eye-to-eye with Ali,
and said, 'You are not defined by the things you have or the titles you hold.
You are your manners.‘
And that reminder stayed in Ali's heart, shaping his every action and guiding him through life's twists and turns. He embraced it fully, making good manners a part of everything he does.
1. Making Good Intentions
Maryam noticed that every time before the lesson starts, ‘Ali would close his eyes, take a deep breath and cover his face with his hands for a few seconds. After a few days, she could not hold her curiosity, and she asked ‘Ali why he did that.
‘Ali shared, “I was making my intentions; O Allāh, I intend to learn and to be reminded. I want to seek knowledge and use it to benefit myself and help others. I intend to follow the teachings of the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. I seek Your pleasure, closeness, and reward. Amin.”
“Mr. ‘Umar always reminded us to make good intentions, so I do”, said ‘Ali with much humility.
That day, after Mr. ‘Umar had finished teaching the class, he allowed time for the students to ask questions. So Maryam grabbed the chance and asked, “Mr. ‘Umar, why did you teach us to make intentions before doing anything?”
"Good question, Maryam. In life, the most important part of whatever we do, like praying, helping others, studying, or even playing, is why we are doing them. Only we know why we do the things we do. So, we would want to make sure we do them for the right reasons.
In Islām, making intentions means thinking about why we are doing something, checking to make sure it’s something that Allāh approves of, and then saying in our hearts that we are doing it for the sake of Allāh.
Having good intentions is the key that unlocks amazing rewards from Allāh. When we make or set good intentions, it helps us to check that we are doing things for the right reasons, with sincerity and a pure heart – not for showing off or expecting something in return.
Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ said, "The reward of actions depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”[1]
So, when we do something good, like praying, we should do it to please Allāh, not to seek praise from people! And when we help others, we should do it with the intention of being kind to people because this pleases Allāh and Rasūlullāh, and not to seek reward!
So class, do you all understand?” asked Mr. ‘Umar.
“Making intentions is like having a quiet talk with Allāh!” said Ahmad.
“Making intentions is like a secret promise between us and Allāh!” said Maryam.
“Yes! Yes!” smiled Mr. ‘Umar, and he continued, “For example, when we help others, we can make the intention, "I am doing this to be kind so that Allāh will be pleased with me." Or when we share our toys, we can say in our hearts, "I'm sharing my toys to make others happy and make Allāh proud of me."
Allāh hears our intentions[2], and nothing is hidden from Him.[3] So we can speak to Allāh even in our hearts. Making good intentions shows how much we remember Allāh in all that we do and how sincere we are towards Him. It's like a special way of telling Him, "O Allāh, I want to do this to make You happy and proud of me!"
When we have good intentions, it brings more meaning and goodness to what we do, and it helps us become kinder and better people. And the greatest benefit is, it will draw us closer to Allāh and to connect with Him.
إِلَهِي أَنْتَ مَقْصُودِيْ وَرِضَاكَ مَطْلُوبِيْ أَعْطِنِيْ مَحَبَّـتَكَ وَمَعْرِفَتَكَ
Ilāhī anta maqṣūdī wa riḍāka maṭlūbī, a'ṭinī mahabbataka
wa ma'rifatak.
My God, You are my purpose, and Your pleasure is what I hope for.
Grant me Your love and the ability to know You.
Discussion:
1. What does ‘Ali always do before the teacher starts the lesson?
2. Why is it important to check on our intentions?
3. What does making intentions mean in Islām?
4. Why is it important to have good intentions when helping others or sharing our belongings?
5. Can you give an example of a good intention when eating?
6. Can you give an example of a good intention when showering?
7. What does making good intentions show to Allāh?
2. The Reward for Making Intentions
“Mr. ‘Umar, can I ask something please?” asked Nusaybah. “Sure Nusaybah, said Mr. ‘Umar smiling.
“During the previous lesson, you mentioned that we will be rewarded for making good intentions. Does it mean we will be rewarded, even before we do them?” asked Nusaybah curiously.
Mr. ‘Umar smiled and answered, “Oh yes Nusaybah, very true. Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ taught us how much Allāh values our intentions.
He mentioned that whosoever intended to perform a good deed, but did not do it, then Allāh will reward it as a complete good deed.
And whosoever intended to perform the good deed, and then performed it, then Allāh will reward it as ten good deeds, and up to seven hundred times, and even up to many times more.
And whosoever intended to perform a bad deed, but did not do it, then Allāh will reward it as a complete good deed!
And if he intended to perform a bad deed, and then he performed it, then Allāh will write it down as one bad deed.’”[4]
Upon hearing this, the whole class reacted with great amazement.
Maryam asked, “Mr. ‘Umar, did you say if we intend to do something bad, but we did not do it, then Allāh will reward us?”
“Yes Maryam, you heard right!” exclaimed Mr. ‘Umar and went on to explain, “This ĥadiṧ beautifully shows Allāh 's mercy. This is how much Allāh loves us.
It says that even if we can't do a good deed, just thinking about doing it is so great to Allāh that He records it as a complete good deed!
On the other hand, if we think about doing something wrong but choose not to do it, Allāh also records it as a complete good deed! SubĥānAllāh!
Better yet, when we put our good thoughts into action, Allāh makes the rewards for that good deed even bigger. The exact reward depends on how sincere and dedicated we are.
This reminds us of how valuable our intentions are in Islām and how Allāh, out of His kindness, rewards us generously for our good thoughts and deeds. Always remember, it's not just about doing good things, but also about doing them with a good heart, with a good intention.
When we do something kind or helpful, we should care more about whether Allāh is happy with our actions. When we do things with love and sincerity, even the tiniest good deed becomes very special to Allāh. In the hereafter, Allāh will not only reward our good deeds but even our good intentions!
We can make intentions every day, for everything we do, like sharing, saying kind words, or even giving others a smile!”
The whole class was so happy to learn this and they intend to put it into practice right away!
Discussion:
1. Are we rewarded for our good intentions only when we perform them?
2. Will Allāh punish us if we have made a bad intention but did not perform it?
3. How many “reward” or “good points” do we get for putting our good intention into action?
4. How many “bad points” do we get for putting our bad intentions into action?
5. What should we care about the most when doing anything?
3. Good Action Bad Intention
“‘Aishah, do you understand what Mr. ‘Umar has been teaching about intentions?” asked Nusaybah.
‘Aishah replied confidently, “Alhamdulillah so far I understand it.”
“I have a question though, what if someone does a good action, but he actually has a bad intention? Will the action be counted as good or bad?” asked Nusaybah.
“Okay, that, I’m not sure! Let’s ask Mr. ‘Umar!” said ‘Aishah.
They both went to see Mr. ‘Umar and he explained:
“Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ shared a lesson about the fate of three persons on Judgment Day.
The first was a soldier who fought bravely in a war and died, but his intention was to be known as a brave warrior and to gain praise from people, rather than for the sake of Allāh.
The second was a man who studied and could recite the Qur’ān beautifully, but his main intention was to be famous, to be known for his beautiful voice, and he was seeking praise from people, not for the sake of Allāh.
The third was a rich man who spent and donated money. However, his intention was for people to see him as generous, and he wanted to have a good image rather than doing it for Allāh.
Even when they did things that seemed good, Allāh could see what they were really thinking inside, and did not accept their deeds. Good actions, when mixed with bad intentions, lose their sincerity and fail to earn Allāh's approval.
Does this lesson answer your question, girls?” asked Mr. ‘Umar.
Both ‘Aishah and Nusaybah nodded with a smile.
Mr. ‘Umar continued, “The story teaches us about having a sincere intention in everything we do, for the sake of Allāh, and not for getting things for ourselves or for the world.
We should always check our intentions before doing anything. Let's make lots of intentions to do good things, even if we might not have the time or means to do them!
Let's always try our best to be good from the inside out, and Allāh will love our efforts, big or small!”
Discussion:
1. Why did Allāh not accept the deeds of the soldier who fought bravely?
2. Why did Allāh not accept the deeds of the learned man who recited the Quran beautifullly?
3. Why did Allāh not accept the deeds of the rich man who donated generously?
4. What do you learn from this story?
4. Good Intention Bad Action
Nusaybah understood that when a person has bad intention but did not put it into action, it will be counted as a good deed.
And she also understood now that good action if done with a bad intention, will be counted as bad deed.
But now she was thinking about what if a person does a bad action but with good intentions! So again, to Mr. ‘Umar she went!
Upon hearing her question, Mr. ‘Umar said, “This story will help you understand, inshāAllāh.
Sayyidinā ‘Umar was the Khalīfah of the Muslims. Every night, he would silently patrol the streets to check on the well-being of his people. One night, he stopped to rest near a house, which belonged to a very poor family — an elderly mother and her daughter.
Sayyidinā ‘Umar overheard their conversation.
The mother was telling her daughter, “Tomorrow, when you sell the milk, add water to it so that we can sell more with less milk and earn more money.” Her intention was to help them earn more money, as they were very poor.
The daughter was surprised and replied, “Mother, what are you saying? We cannot do that. Don’t you know that the Khalīfah has forbidden the mixing of milk and water? And that’s not fair to our customers.”
The mother argued, “But the Khalīfah is not here! He doesn’t see us!”
The daughter responded, “If the Khalīfah does not see us, the God of the Khalīfah does.”
Sayyidinā ‘Umar was deeply impressed by what he overheard and was proud of the daughter. Although the mother's intention was good, which was to help the family earn more money, the action of adding water to the milk is considered haram, because it is cheating."
“MāshāAllāh, thank you so much Mr. ‘Umar! Your stories will remain in my memory for a lifetime!” said Nusaybah.
Discussion:
1. What was the good intention of the elderly mother?
2. What was the wrong action here?
3. Is it right to do bad actions with good intentions?
5. Praying without Intention
Maryam raised her hand, and Mr. ‘Umar signalled to her to ask.
“Mr. ‘Umar, can you give us an example of someone doing something good but without making a good intention, please?”
“Certainly!”, answered Mr. ‘Umar. “I have a story!”
“Once, there was a boy, he would only pray when there were people around. One day, his mother told him to go and pray at the mosque. He went, but without making any good intention. He just wanted to pray to get it done and over with.
He arrived late so the mosque was already empty. Before he started praying, he checked if anyone was around. When he was sure there was no one, he prayed, but hurriedly! As he was praying, he heard someone opening the door behind him, and then he heard footsteps. In an instant, he slowed down his prayer and recited the al-Fatihah and Surah beautifully!
After giving the salām, he turned around to see who had entered. To his surprise, it was a stray dog!” exclaimed Mr. ‘Umar.
“Aaaahhhhhhh!!!” echoed the students in disbelieve.
“He beautified his prayer for a dog!!!” laughed Ahmad.
“Yeah he was reciting beautifully for the sake of people, but then it was a dog!” said Nusaybah!
“You all understand the story, yes?” asked Mr. ‘Umar.
“Yeeessssss Mr. ‘Umar ….”, replied the class, still giggling in disbelieve!
“He was praying just for the sake of praying, but he did not make the intention to pray for the sake of Allāh,” concluded Mr. ‘Umar.
Prophetic Supplication
اَللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قَلْبِي مِنَ النِّفَاقِ وَعَمَلِي مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ وَلِسَانِي مِنَ الْكَذِبِ وَعَيْنِي مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ فَإِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ
Allāhumma ṭohhir qalbī minan-nifāq, wa ‘amalī minar-riyā`,
wa lisānī minal-kažib, wa ‘ainī minal khiyānah, fa-innaka ta’lamu khā-inatal a’yuni, wa mā tukhfiṣ-ṣudūr
O Allāh, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my action from ostentation (showing-off) , my tongue from lying and my eyes from wrongful glances, for indeed You know the treachery of the eyes and whatever the hearts conceal.[5]
Discussion:
1. What is the most important intention we should have when we pray?
2. Let's reflect and compare how we pray when there are people around and when we are alone.
3. How do you think we can make our prayers better?
4. What other acts of goodness do you know, and what should our intentions be?
6. The Greeting of Peace
Mr. ‘Umar entered the class with the friendliest smile, looking at each and every student right in the eye. He did this every single time! Then he greeted the class with the Islamic greeting of peace, “Assalāmu’alaikum waraĥmatullāhi wabarakātuh.” Everyone in the class replied, “Wa’alaikumussalām waraĥ-matullāhi wabarakātuh.”
Mr. ‘Umar started the lesson with a question, “What is the meaning of Assalāmu’alaikum? “ The class answered in one voice, “Peace be upon you!”
He then posed another question: “Do you all know who was the first person to introduce the salām to us?”
Most of the students were not sure, so Mr. ‘Umar explained."When Allāh created Adam, He taught him many things. He told him to go to a group of Angels who were nearby and greet them with Assalāmu’alaikum - and to listen to what they were going to reply. The Angels replied to his salām. Allāh told Adam that this would be his greeting and the greeting of his children among each other.[6]
So, the greeting itself, saying ' Assalāmu’alaikum,' came directly from Allāh. And Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ showed us how to use this greeting in our everyday lives. He taught us how to say it and when to say it. He taught us that when entering our house, we should give the salām to our family, for it will be a blessing both to us and to our family."[7]
All the students were so captivated by the lesson, absorbing every word Mr. ‘Umar shared.
Discussion:
1. How does it make you feel when your teacher, like Mr. ‘Umar, starts the class with a big smile and a friendly greeting? Do you think it makes learning more fun and exciting? Why or why not? Now how do you think the teachers would feel if you were to smile at them?
2. What is the meaning of "Assalāmu’alaikum"?
3. Who was the first to introduce the greeting "salām"?
4. How did Allāh teach Adam the way to reply to the greeting "Assalāmu’alaikum"?
5. What should be the first thing we do when we enter our house?
7. The Magic in Salām
Mr. ‘Umar reminded the students the importance of greeting with the salām among Muslims and shared a ĥadiṧ.
“Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ said, ‘You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread the greeting of peace among yourselves.’[8]
From this ĥadiṧ, we learn that saying salām is not just a sign of respect! It will also help us to love one another, for the sake of Allāh!
‘Ali raised his hand, and upon receiving permission, asked, “Do we give salām only to those whom we know?”
“Very good question, ‘Ali,” acknowledged Mr. ‘Umar before providing an answer. “A man once asked Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ, 'Which act in Islām is the best?' He ﷺ replied, 'To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know them or not.'”[9]
And the Prophet ﷺ also said: ‘Those who are nearest to Allāh are the ones who are first to give the salām.’[10]
He ﷺ even taught us who should rightfully give the salām first. He ﷺ said, 'A rider should greet a pedestrian, a pedestrian should greet the one who is sitting, and the smaller group of people should greet the large group of people.'”[11]
All the students were smiling, they were so grateful to learn what was taught!
Discussion:
1. What is the magic of giving salām?
2. What question did ‘Ali ask Mr. ‘Umar regarding giving salām?
3. What can you learn from ‘Ali’s habit of asking questions in class?
4. Why did Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ say it's good to be the first one to say the salām?
5. According to the Prophet ﷺ, who should say the salām first - someone on a vehicle or someone walking?
6. In saying salām, who should start the greeting - someone walking or someone sitting?
7. How did the Prophet ﷺ advise us to say the salām when there's a small group and a big group?
8. Why is it a good idea for us to follow what the Prophet ﷺ taught us about saying the salām in different situations?
8. The Best Greeting
When it was question and answer time, ‘Aishah raised her hand, and Mr. ‘Umar signalled to her to speak.
“Mr. ‘Umar, what is the right way to greet with the salām? Is it 'Assalāmu’alaikum' or ' Assalāmu’alaikum waraĥmatullāhi wabarakātuh'?”
she asked.
“A very good question, ‘Aishah,” said Mr. ‘Umar, and answered with a story.
“A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Assalāmu’alaikum!’ (Peace be upon you!) The Prophet ﷺ replied his greeting and said: ‘Ten.’
Another man came and said: ‘Assalāmu’alaikum waramatullah!’ (Peace and Allāh's mercy be upon you!) The Prophet ﷺ responded to his greeting and said: ‘Twenty.’
And then another man came and said: ‘Assalāmu’alaikum waraĥmatullāhi wabarakātuh!’ (Peace and Allāh's mercy and blessings be upon you!)
The Prophet ﷺ responded to him and said ‘Thirty.’[12]
What the Prophet ﷺ meant by saying ten, twenty and thirty was, the first man who gave the short greeting received the reward of ten good deeds. The second man received the reward of twenty good deeds. And the third man received the reward of thirty good deeds!
“MāshāAllāh!” exclaimed the students.
Discussion:
1. How did ‘Aishah contribute to the class’s knowledge about greetings?
2. Can you remember the rewards for the different forms of the salām?
9. The Meaning of Barakah
Do you notice that when we give the salām, which is worth thirty good deeds, the last word contains the word ‘Barakah.’ This special word means an increase in the goodness of something, and this increase is only made possible by Allāh.
Barakah is like a special gift from Allāh that makes things we do become extra special. In English, it is called Divine Goodness or blessings.
Here are some ways to describe “Barakah”:
1) Achieving more with very few things (I used “Achieving much with little” in my talk on this topic and “multiplier effect” for the meaning of ‘Barakah’, notes attached)
2) Completing much work in very little time
3) Generating a lot of great benefits with very little effort
4) Continuing to do good things for a long time
Now, let's look at a few examples to better understand how Barakah can be seen in different aspects of life:
Example 1: Imagine a father who doesn't earn much and lives in an average house. Still, he manages to feed his whole family, they always eat together, have guests over, and he regularly donates to the poor. His salary has Barakah.
On the flip side, there's another wealthy father with a big salary and a large house, but he rarely eats with his family, never has guests, and never has enough to donate. His salary lacks Barakah
Example 2: Picture two siblings who do not have much toys yet they play peacefully and happily together. Their playtime has barakah.
On the other hand, another pair of siblings from a rich family has so many toys to play with but they were always arguing and fighting over the toys. Their playtime has no barakah.
Example 3: Think of an average family that lacks money for overseas holidays. Instead, they have simple picnics at the beach, and yet, they are incredibly happy. This family has Barakah.
In a different situation, a wealthy family spends thousands of dollars on a holiday overseas, but the whole family is always complaining and arguing. This family lacks Barakah.
Example 4: Imagine a child who starts learning the Quran and continues learning for 10 years. His learning has Barakah.
On the other hand, another child begins learning the Quran but gives up after only 1 week. His learning lacks Barakah.
Here are ways for us to receive Barakah in our life:
1. Obey Allāh and stay away from what is forbidden.
2. Make du’a to Allāh, especially in the morning (Subuh) and early evening (Maghrib).
3. Recite the Quran regularly.
4. Always make a good intention before doing anything.
5. Begin with Bismillah before doing anything.
6. Put the Sunnah into practice.
Discussion:
1. What are the ways mentioned to receive Barakah in our life?
2. Have you ever experienced Barakah in your life?
3. What other examples of Barakahful situations can you think of?
10. Who are the Teachers?
“Today I wish to explain to all of you who the teachers are,” said Mr. ‘Umar as he started the lesson.
“Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ [13] mentioned that the comparison between the learned or teacher and the pious worshipper is like the brightness of the moon compared to the stars. The teachers are like the helpers of the Prophets.[14]
When Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ said that teachers are like the helpers of the Prophets, it means they act as keepers of important lessons from the Prophets. They have a big role in sharing these valuable lessons with their students - guiding them to understand and to put what they have learned into practice.
Therefore, students should appreciate the big responsibility teachers carry in guiding their students according to the wishes of Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ."
Discussion:
1. How did Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ compare the teachers to the pious worshippers?
2. Do you know what the important lessons from the prophets are?
3. What important job/task? do teachers have when it comes to guiding students?
11. Guiders of Tomorrow
"For many years, I was a student too, and I have had many teachers who guided me and cared about me," shared Mr. ‘Umar. “The lessons they shared with me those years are still valuable and help me every day.”
“Teachers are kind individuals. They're not just here to teach us various subjects, they also want us to be the best versions of ourselves. They care about what's inside our hearts and how we behave, teaching and showing us how to follow the good ways taught by Allāh and His Beloved Messenger ﷺ.
Teachers guide us in understanding Islām and doing what is right. They show us how to think carefully, speak kindly, to never give up and to have good manners.
They teach about patience, respect, and being helpful to others. So, it’s important for us to be kind and respectful to our teachers, just as we should be with our parents.
Teachers make school a fun and safe place for us. They put in lots of effort to create a happy place where we feel comfortable asking questions and learning new things. They plan exciting lessons to make learning the best experience.
Teachers are like our second set of parents – always there when we need them. When we face tough stuff, they're right by our side, helping us through. And when we do awesome things in our studies, they cheer us on, like our biggest fans.
What makes teachers extra special is that they truly believe in us. They believe we can do amazing things and support us in reaching our goals. It's like having our own personal coach!
Teachers have a really important job in helping us grow to be leaders in our own special ways. With their support, we can become responsible and smart individuals, making the world an even better place. That's why it's really, really important for us to treat our teachers with love and respect, just like we treatour parents.
It's really important for us to always be kind and polite, to listen carefully to what our teachers say, and give our very best effort in class. When we show love and respect to our teachers, our learning journey becomes filled with ‘Barakah’.
Discussion:
1. The chapter says teachers are like a second set of parents. In what ways are they similar?
2. Teachers make school a fun and safe place. What are some things your teacher does to create a happy classroom? How does a happy classroom help you learn better?
3. Do you have a favourite lesson or piece of advice from a teacher? What was it, and how has it helped you?
12. Respectful Gestures Towards Your Teacher
Gestures are how we use words and actions to share our feelings and thoughts. When we speak, we use words like "thank you" to show appreciation or "I'm sorry" to apologise.(correct, apologize is Am spelling) But even without words, we can still express ourselves - using our body and face . For instance, waving to say hello, nodding to agree, smiling to share happiness, giving a thumbs up to show we like something, or clapping hands to applaud – these are all gestures. Gestures help us connect with others and make our communication meaningful and pleasant!
‘Ali understands the importance of using respectful gestures with his teachers. Calling teachers by their name is a big no-no! Instead, ‘Ali would use kind and polite titles such as "Mr", "Teacher", "Sir”, or “Madam." These words show respect and make teachers feel honoured.
‘Ali's face lit up with a cheerful smile whenever a teacher enters the classroom. With utmost respect, he would stand up and warmly greet the teacher with the salām.
Whenever it was appropriate and allowed, ‘Ali would also show respect to his teachers by kissing their hand. However, ‘Ali knows that children aged nine and above should avoid any physical contact with teachers of the opposite gender.
‘Ali would wait for the teacher to sit before taking his seat, just like loyal servants who humbly wait for their king to be seated before they would sit. These gentle and respectful gestures show teachers that they are respected and valued.
Showing respect for a teacher's belongings is also important. ‘Ali remembers a golden rule: never sit in the teacher's chair or touch his things without asking for permission. The teacher's chair is like a special throne reserved just for him, a place of honour – only for the King! So, ‘Ali always made sure he does not disturb the teacher's belongings, showing his understanding and respect for his teacher’s personal space.
By following these polite and respectful gestures, ‘Ali has earned the love of his teachers and the admiration of his classmates – who are impressed by his good manners.
Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ said, "He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our elders."[15]
Discussion:
1. How did ‘Ali show respect when speaking to his teacher?
2. Do you know the title we should use when addressing our Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ?
3. What did Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ teach us about how to love one another?
4. What did ‘Ali do before sitting down in the classroom?
5. What is the meaning of “Assalāmu’alaikum waraĥmatullāhi wabarakātuh”?
13. Serving Our Teacher
‘Ali loves his teachers. And he would express his feelings for them through thoughtful service. Whenever a teacher needed help carrying something heavy, ‘Ali eagerly steps forward and politely offers assistance, saying, 'Please allow me to assist you.' His kind and caring gesture not only lightens the teacher’s burden but also makes him feel valued and appreciated.
‘Ali is always attentive to the teacher’s needs. If he notices that the teacher has a sore throat or is coughing, he would quickly offer the lozenges he has prepared in his bag for such moments! Wow! Amazing student! Must clone him! If he spots the teacher sweating, he promptly hands over the tissue pack he has already prepared in his bag for these situations! If he sees the teacher getting ready to leave and looking for his shoes, ‘Ali would quickly retrieve the shoes and place them in front of the teacher, ready for him to wear. How cool is ‘Ali? Mā-shā-Allāh!
Whenever he notices the teacher not feeling well, ‘Ali would do something extra special, like creating a homemade get-well card and writing a supplication to make the teacher feel better.
All these acts of service show just how much ‘Ali cares for his teachers. ‘Ali's kind and thoughtful actions make the teacher feel special and loved.
Discussion:
1. If you were a teacher, how would you feel if your students in class did nice things to help you, like what ‘Ali does for his teacher?
2. Why do you think it's important for teachers to feel special and loved?
3. Can you come up with ways to show your teachers that you appreciate them for all the good things they have done for you and your classmates?
4. Can you think of a time when someone in your class helped you or did something nice for you? How did it make you feel, and did it make you like that person and your class even more?
14. The Importance of Punctuality
Ahmad arrived very late to class, missing a big part of the teacher’s lesson. As a result, he found it hard to understand many things. Feeling confused, Ahmad had to ask the teacher several questions to understand better. Even though the teacher was kind and patient, the interruptions made the teacher repeat almost everything! And that took away valuable time from the rest of the class.
‘Ali saw what happened and realised how coming late did not just affect the late student, but it also disrupted the learning environment for everyone else.
Some students were showing unkind reactions to Ahmad because he made the teacher repeat and delayed the lesson. But ‘Ali showed sympathy. He remembered what Allāh says in the Quran about advising each other with patience.[16]
Feeling concerned about his fellow classmate, ‘Ali approached Ahmad after class and kindly explained the importance of being on time. He shared how being punctual has helped him stay engaged in the lessons taught by the teacher. He also explained how arriving on time means showing respect for the teacher and classmates. “When we arrive on time, the teacher would not have to wait or repeat, and the class could start and finish on time,” said ‘Ali.
Encouraged by ‘Ali’s kind words, Ahmad made a promise to be more punctual from that day onwards. He understood that being on time not only helps him personally but also contributes to a smooth and orderly learning experience for the entire class.
Discussion:
1. Why do you think being punctual is important for students?
2. If you were the teacher, how would you feel if some students were always late for class?
3. Put yourself in ‘Ali’s shoes. How would you approach Ahmad to explain the importance of being on time? What would you say to encourage him?
4. Think about your own experiences. Have you ever been late for school or a class? What happened, why were you late, and how did it make you feel?
5. What can you do to make sure you are on time in the future?
15. The Student With the Best Manners
Mr. ‘Umar posed a question to the class: “Who is the best student?”
“The one who memorises the Quran!” answered ‘Ali. “The one who scores the highest marks in exams!” said Maryam. “The one who prays five times a day!” said Amna.
Mr. ‘Umar smiled and said, “The answer is, the best student is the one with the best manners!”
Mr. ‘Umar continued, “I have another question: Who, among the students, havethe best manners?”
“The one who always does his homework!” said Zaid. “The one who helps his teacher!” said Osman. “The one who always smiles!” said Amna.
Mr. ‘Umar smiled again and said, “The answer is, the student with the best manners is the one who is always punctual!”
Mr. ‘Umar looked around the class and asked, “Who in this class is always punctual?” Almost instantly, all the students pointed to ‘Ali! ‘Ali blushed and looked down.
“‘Ali, why are you always punctual?” asked Mr. ‘Umar.
‘Ali answered softly, “You taught us last year that when we come on time, it means we respect our teacher and friends. When we arrive at school on time, the teacher would not have to wait, and the class could start and finish on time. I also remember your advice: Being on time is the best way a student should behave.”
“MāshāAllāh, may Allāh bless you, ‘Ali,” Mr. ‘Umar was very proud of ‘Ali, and he reminded all the students: Prophet Muĥammad ﷺ said: "Nothing is heavier on the Scale of Judgment than one's good manners."
Discussion:
1. Why do you think Mr. ‘Umar said that the best student is the one with the best manners? Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think Mr. ‘Umar said that punctuality is the best manners of a student?
3. Can you think of other reasons why being on time is a good habit for students?
4. Do you know what is the "Scale of Judgment"?
[1] Sahih Bukhari
[2] ”He knows what is in every heart” (Al-Quran 67:13)
[3] ”Nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allāh.” (Al-Quran, 3:5)
[4] Bukhari and Muslim
[5] Mishkat al-Masabih
[6] At-Tirmizi
[7] At-Tirmizi
[8] Muslim
[9] Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[10] Abu Dawud
[11] Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[12] Sunan Abi Dawud
[13] Ṣallallāhu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallām, which means “Peace and blessings be upon him.”
[14] The ĥadiṧ: “The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion. (Sunan Abi Dawud)
[15] Sunan At-Tirmizi
[16] Surah Al-‘Asr, verses 1-3