Those who pursue education must engage in learning while keeping its nobility and greatness in mind.
“Whoever taught me even a single letter, I am a slave to him. If he wishes, he may sell me; if he wishes, he may set me free; or if he wishes, he may keep me as a servant to look after him.”
This statement by Hazrat Ali (RadiAllahu Anhu), the “Gateway to Knowledge,” beautifully demonstrates the profound level of respect one must accord to a teacher.
If a learner does not maintain discipline and character, the education they receive will be of no benefit to them. One who lacks discipline while acquiring knowledge will never truly possess good character. Maintaining discipline in front of the teacher is the foundational duty of a student.
Basic Conduct in front of a Teacher:
- A student should not sit before the teacher takes their seat.
- One should not speak in front of the teacher without their permission.
- It is improper to speak in a loud voice before the teacher.
- Mocking, ridiculing, assigning nicknames, or acting in a way that hurts the teacher’s feelings are all considered acts of betrayal against the guru (Guru Droham).
The knowledge of such individuals will either be forgotten, or they will derive absolutely no benefit from it. Whoever causes distress to the heart of a teacher will see the divine light (Noor) of knowledge vanish from their life.
Loyalty and Trustworthiness:
The foremost discipline of learning students is devotion to their teacher (Guru Bhakti). A student must conduct themselves in a way that builds trust and affection in the heart of the teacher.
- Finding faults in a teacher or gossiping about them to others is a grave sin.
- The teacher’s secrets must be guarded as a sacred trust (Amanah).
- One must never lie to a teacher.
If a student begins to lie to their teacher, they become unfit to receive education; they are merely a fool deceiving themselves, which eventually breeds hypocrisy.
The same humility shown in the presence of the teacher must be maintained even when away from them. Whoever breaks the heart of a teacher will have the light of knowledge stripped from their soul.
Hazrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah Alaih) warned: “He who grieves the heart of a teacher will die hungry and thirsty. He will encounter wretchedness in life and pass away in a state of humiliation.”
Even if the student is right from their own perspective, they must not argue back.
Knowledge is imparted to students through the affection of the teacher. Therefore, one must completely avoid any behavioral flaws that could result in losing that precious affection.