A right can be interpreted as an authority or power that ethically one can work, own, abandon, use or demand something. The right can also mean a calling of the will of others to the mediator of reason, contrary to the power or physical strength to recognize the authority that exists on the other. Every human has a right, so the teacher has some rights too. The teacher is the one who gives knowledge to the learners. Teachers in the community view are those who carry out education in certain places (not only in formal educational institutions) teachers have heavy duties and responsibilities. The teacher is a leader figure.
“And among men and moving creatures and the cattle (are) various [their] colors likewise. Only fear Allah among His slaves those who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.” (Fatir 35:28)
Teachers have spent time with learners in educating the nation’s children so that teachers have some rights like below.
1. Lead his pupil
The duty of a teacher is to make her pupils become smarter and have a good akhlaq. In this case, the teacher should lead his pupils to obtain the objectives that they are looking for.
“From Ibnu Umar ra said: The Messenger of Allah said: each of you is a shepherd and each responsible for the shepherd: the leader is a shepherd, the husband is a shepherd to his family members, and his wife is a shepherd in the middle of her husband’s household and against her. Every one of you is a shepherd, and each is responsible for what is the shepherd. “ (H.R. Bukhari – Muslim)
See also: Labor Rights in Islam
2. Salary/wage
Regarding the receipt of this salary at first, there was a dispute. Regarding this salary, the pikers and philosophers differ in the opinion of the teacher receiving the salary or rejecting it. The most famous refused to receive a salary is Socrates, then followed by the Muslim philosophy of al-Ghazali, concluding forbidden salaries. While Al-Qabisi has different opinions, he considers receiving the salary may be held. Al-qabisi’s reason, teachers receive salaries because educators have become professions, of course, they are entitled to get prosperity in economic life, in the form of salary or honorarium.
Teachers are part of the state apparatus that serves for the benefit of the State through the education sector, appointed civil servants, given salaries and educational personnel allowances. But if compared with developed countries, the income is not satisfactory but the task is noble, not an obstacle for teachers in educating students. For teachers whose status is non-civil servants then they are on the salary of the foundation, not even a few they do not get it but they still serve in order to seek Allah SWT pleasure.
“Give a worker his wages before his sweat is dry.” (HR Ibnu Majah)
3. Getting the award and appreciation
The teacher is the spiritual father of the students. He is the one who provides spiritual nourishment and improves the behavior of learners. That is the profession of teachers must be honored, given its very significant role in preparing future generations. Respecting teachers means respect for our children. The nation who wants to advance is a nation that is able to give awards and respect to the teachers.
See also: Islamic Ways of Getting Pregnant
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4. Give his pupil a lesson
It is the duty of the teacher to give his pupil a lesson. This lesson will make his pupils more knowledgeable and smarter. There should not be an intervention for the teacher to give the lesson.
“As We sent among you a Messenger from you (who) recites to you Our verses and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the wisdom and teaches you what not you were knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:151)
5. Give his pupil a direction
Pupils are like people that don’t know a direction and still not knowing anything. As a teacher, he should give his pupils a direction and make them have a clear path in the future.
“You will not achieve that science except with six things. I will explain to you broadly: intelligently, earnestly, patiently, there is provision, there is a guiding teacher and a long time. ” (Burhanuddin al-Zarnuji)
See also: Importance of Leadership in Islam
6. Have freedom of expression
The teacher should have freedom of expression because how a teacher can transfer his knowledge to his pupils without freedom. Obstacles and intervention should be cleared.
“I am the servant of the man who taught me a letter. If he wants to sell me and can also set me free. “ (Sayyidina Ali r.a.)
7. Judge which is the right and the wrong one
There are some cases that make the teacher should choose between two options. As the pupils, they need to accept the judgment of the teacher.
“Indeed, Allah orders you to render the trusts to their owners, and when you judge between the people to judge with justice. Indeed, Allah excellently advises you with it. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (An-Nisa 4:58)
See also: Benefits of Zuhr Prayer
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8. Get respect from people
The words of Allah and the words of the Apostle describe the high position of the one who has knowledge (teacher). It is argued that the knowledge can lead people to always think and analyze the nature of all phenomena that exist in nature, so as to bring people closer to Allah. With the ability that exists in humans are born theories for the benefit of human beings. So, we need to respect the teacher who is willing to give us the knowledge.
“Stand up and respect the teacher and reward him, a teacher is almost as an Apostle.” (Syauki)
9. Accept or reject gift
Teachers should avoid livelihoods that are contemptible in the view of syara ‘and away from situations that can bring slander and do not do something that can drop the price in the eyes of the people. They also need to choose carefully between accept or reject a gift from the parents or pupils to avoid slander.
“O you who believe[d]! Eat from (the) good (of) what We have provided you and be grateful to Allah if you alone worship Him.” (Al-Baqarah 2:172)
See also: Importance of Istighfar in Islam
10. Advise his pupil
The teacher should advise and correct those who do not maintain good manners in class, such as insulting friends, laughing loudly, sleeping, talking to friends or not accepting the truth. By doing this, the teacher can create a good behavior and akhlaq to his pupils.
11. Get good treatment
The teacher should get good treatment to make his job easier. Without it, the teacher will face some difficulties when gives his knowledge to the pupils.
“A learner of knowledge should sit politely in the presence of his teacher, calm, tawadhu”, eyes fixed on the teacher, not tossing legs, not leaning, not laughing loudly, not sitting in a higher place than his teacher nor back to his teacher.” (Ibnu al-Jammah)
See also: Useful Dua for Journey in Islam
12. Make a mistake
Teachers are not angels, they can make some mistakes. We should not look for the fault, remember the word of Allah.
“Every son of Adam must make mistakes, and the best of them are repentant ones” (HR Ahmad)
13. Make example for his pupil
The teacher is a good figure that can make an example for his pupil. He can order the pupils to follow his way and life.
“If your teacher is very good akhlaq, make him qudwah or example for you in akhlaq. But if the opposite is true, then do not make bad akhlaq as an example for you, because a teacher made an example in good akhlaq, not bad akhlaq, because the goal of a learner is sitting in the assembly of a teacher to take his knowledge and then akhlaq.” (Ibnu Utsaimin)
See also: The Importance of Prayer in Islam
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14. Be hard on his pupil
The great merit of the teachers who have given their knowledge to the pupils and often restrain his anger, who always feels the pain of holding patients. It is not proper for pupils to forget the merits of his teacher. They should be patient even though the teacher has a hard attitude, and never forget to insert their names in the chanting of your prayer. May Allah grant mercy and kindness to the teachers of the Muslims.
“Be patient with the hardness of a teacher’s attitude. Indeed failure to learn science because of hostility.” (Al-Imam As Syafi)
15. Gain a sense of security and safety in carrying out the task
Technically, there must be a guarantee or insurance when something happens to the teacher in carrying out his duties. So the teacher does not have to worry about carrying out his professional duties. In Indonesia, there are some cases that students attack their teacher or make him embarrassed. This is not a good akhlaq so we need to give the teacher a sense of security.
See also: Funeral Rights in Islam
More Rights of Teachers in Islam (16-25)
Here is presented more rights of teachers in Islam.
- Gain training and professional development in the field
- Have freedom in giving judgment
- Acquire and utilize learning facilities and infrastructure
- Have the opportunity to play a role in determining government policy
- Get married and have a family
- Get physical and spiritual needs
- Provide punishment to pupils
- Obtain equal treatment from school organizations
- Free in choosing religion
- Have privacy that should not be disturbed
That’s all rights of teachers in Islam. We should know this to respect and become closer to the teacher who is willing to give us education and knowledge.