Many times, people have the incorrect notion that the Ahlullāh are too strict but they are undoubtedly embodiments of compassion.
On Friday 19 August 2022, Hadhrat Mufti Ebraheem Salejee Saahib دامت بركاته was in Lenasia, Masjid Abu Zarr.
After the Asar Salaah, a few Ulama were sitting with Hadhrat Mufti Saahib at the back of the Masjid. A young Aalim who teaches high school students in the Masjid explained to Hadhrat Mufti Saahib that he is finding much challenges working with these youngsters. Many of them have two length haircuts and they don’t want to cut their hair. He requested Hadhrat Mufti Saahib for some advice in this regard.
Below is the advice Hadhrat Mufti Saahib had given.
1. Remember that bigger boys who are coming for classes cannot be treated like Maktab children. One can push Maktab children around but one cannot do the same with high school students. Their parents also feel that they should rather spend more time with school. In actual fact they are doing you a favour by coming to Madrasah. If you are a little harsh or hard with them they will leave Madrasah and we will end up being the losers.
2. The Hadith Shareef explains that when the child is ten years old then you can hit him to perform his Salaah but when he reaches the age of buloogh then kiss him on his hand and treat him like a younger brother.
3. Hadhrat Moulana Ilyaas Saahib رحمة الله عليه used to say that you have no right to tell a student anything until such a time that he respects your shoes like how he respects bread. One day a person with no beard came to the Markaz. Hadhrat Moulana Ilyaas Saahib رحمة الله عليه passed his hand over his face as an indication that he should grow his beard. From that day this person stopped coming to the Markaz. Hadhrat Moulana Ilyaas Saahib رحمة الله عليه regretfully said; “Unfortunately I have placed the dough on a cold pan.” In other words, the person was not yet ready for this correction.
4. When a person wishes to plant seeds he has to first prepare the soil. This takes lots of time. If he plants the seeds directly in the beach sand, nothing will grow. But if he prepares the soil and then plants the seeds he will harvest a beautiful crop. This preparation of the soil is called Zehn Saazi (making the mind of the person) and this takes lots of time. Once the Zehn is made, they will listen to anything you say.
5. Allamah Sharani رحمة الله عليه has mentioned that I haven’t seen anything more effective for children than assigning them to the care of Allah Ta’ala and making Dua for them. Daily the Ustaaz must take out time and make Dua for them. Remember that Hadhrat Umar رضى الله عنه was the outcome of the Dua of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم . The night before, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم made Dua for his Hidaayat and this is how he was blessed with Imaan. How much of time in our 24 hours do we take out to make Dua for them.
6. Show them lots of love and Ikraam. With Muhabbat you can win anyone’s heart. A youngster who took part in a sports event won about 5 races. His coach was so pleased that he came out of the crowd and hugged this boy. The boy teared and said, “If only my dad could have hugged me like this.” Many children out there have no one to show them any love. A little bit of love shown to them will win their hearts over.
7. Speak to them one on one. i.e. call them separately and speak to them. Hadhrat Mufti Saahib says that, “I have found this to be the most effective way of making students understand.”
8. Remember that your work will not go to waste. Whatever effort you made on these students must show its colours one day. I have had students who came back to me after 25 years and said that they remember the advices that I had given to them in the Madrasah and it still helps them in their day to day lives.