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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books World of Our Youth Themes 3: Youth, The Pedagogical Responsibility Characteristics of the Islamic Educator From the Islamic perspective, what are the characteristics of the tutor or teacher? What are his responsibilities? The first vital characteristic is that the teacher should be, from the aspect of professional competence, wellgrounded in the field of knowledge which he wishes to impart to others.

If he is unqualified, then teaching will be an exercise in misinformation and ignorance, for he will eventually find himself in situations where he will not have the necessary education to properly present the subject of study, and will, in trying to save face present an unclear view in an effort to conceal his own deficiency. It is essential then that he have a solid foundation in the subject he is teaching, for that is the basis of education.

Perhaps we can deduce this from understanding a verse which, while relating to debate rather than teaching, nonetheless provides us with the ideational criterion: Lo! You are of those who argued about what you had some knowledge; why do you dispute concerning that which you have no knowledge. ***(***Al-Imran, 3:66) Islam does not accept that someone should speak on a subject if he does not have the knowledge.

For this reason, those who entered into debate on something they know nothing were rejected. How then is it possible to accept that those who do not have knowledge should teach? From this vantage point too, we do not believe that the matter is restricted to education only, but in fact pertains to all responsibility, where one does not possess the requisite experience and knowledge.

Therefore, whenever an issue like that of guardianship of the jurist ( wilayat al-faqih), or any other subject which is founded on mutual consultation or any other basis, is propounded it is improper for the authoritative bodies to issue any ruling on a matter in which it does not have adequate information.

In the same manner, the jurist is not allowed to pronounce himself on, say, an economic, political, social, or military issue, except after having discussed every aspect of investigation with the specialists at a level equal to any subsequent ruling. Adherence to this precept is absolutely indispensable as far as the teacher is concerned. The educator's character has to be at such a level that it qualifies him to instruct those who are under his tutelage.