Islam holds teachers in high esteem, recognizing their noble role in shaping society

Teachers are revered professionals, essential for nurturing students into individuals beneficial to their religion, nation, and country. This sentiment is particularly strong in Malaysia, where Teacher's Day is celebrated with gift-giving and expressions of gratitude.

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patience is the main weapon for teachers in facing challenges, accompanied by sincerity and prayer to shape the success of a student so that they are useful to religion, nation, and country.

Ustaz Ahmad Fahmi Daud, an Imam Rawatib at Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah in Jerantut, Pahang, highlights the indispensable qualities of patience, sincerity, and prayer that teachers must possess. He notes that educators constantly face diverse challenges, from classroom management to societal pressures in the digital age. These require unwavering dedication to foster students' development.

Daud references the Quranic verse Al-Mujadalah: 11, which states that God elevates the ranks of believers and those granted knowledge. He explains that various titles for educators, such as 'cikgu,' 'ustaz,' or 'tok guru,' all point to the esteemed role of teachers in shaping individuals with strong character and moral values, guiding them towards recognizing God.

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Whatever the connotation of titles like cikgu, ustaz, maulana, tok guru, syeikh and also sometimes described as mursyid, murabbi, muaddib, muallim and others, in reality the task of an educator is respected and recognized because they are the humans who shape humans, educate or nurture with self-identity and morals, as well as leading to ma’rifatullah (knowing Allah).

He further elaborates on the profound impact of teachers, citing a hadith that states anyone who initiates a good practice in Islam will receive rewards equivalent to those who follow it, without diminishing the followers' rewards. This underscores the lasting legacy of a teacher's influence, making their contribution to society invaluable and deserving of high regard.

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Whoever initiates a good practice in Islam, then it is followed by people after him, it will be written for him the reward of those who follow him, and the reward of those who follow him will not be reduced in any way.