Chapter Three
The Child’s Duties towards His Teacher
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Obedience
450. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “He whom you learn one word from, has made you become his servant.”1
451. ‘Awāli al-La'āli: It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “He who teaches something to someone owns him.”
It was said: “O Messenger of Allah! Can he sell him?”
He (s.a.w.) answered: “No. But he can command him and forbid him.”2
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Honoring
452. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “Honor your guest even if he is lowly, and stand up for your father and your teacher even if you are a commander.”3
453. Imām ‘Ali (a.s.) said: “There are three things of which you should not be ashamed of: A man serving his guest, standing up for his father and his teacher, and demanding his right even if it is little.”4
454. Imām al-Sajjād (a.s.) said: “The right of your teacher is to honor him, revere his presence, listen to him carefully and heed him. You must not raise your voice over him, not answer a person who has asked him until he himself answers, not to speak with anyone in his meeting, and not to backbite anyone in his presence. You should defend him when someone speaks against him, you should conceal his defects and reveal his virtues, and you should not associate with his enemy and
not be hostile with his friend. If you were to do this, the angels of Allah will bear witness for you that you have gone to him and learnt knowledge for the sake of Allah the Exalted, and not for the sake of people.”5
1.. ‘Awāli al-La'āli, vol. ۱, p. ۲۹۲, h. ۱۶۳. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۷, p. ۱۶۵, h. ۲.
2.. ‘Awāli al-La'āli, vol. ۴, p. ۷۱, h. ۴۳. Munyah al-Murid, p. ۲۴۳.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۲۳۴۱.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۴۶۶۶. ‘Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā‘iz, p. ۲۱۲, h. ۴۲۳۰.
5.. Kitāb Man lā Yahdarhu al-Faqih, vol. ۲, p. ۶۲۰, h. ۳۲۱۴. al-Khisāl, p. ۵۶۷, h. ۱. Both narrating from Abu Hamzah al-Thumāli (Thābit ibn Dinār). Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p.۲۶۰.
