This is because the aspect of his personal example is what...

This is because the aspect of his personal example is what will underline his credibility. As such, in some hadiths, it states that: "He who appoints himself as an imam of the people must start with disciplining himself, before disciplining the people; he who disciplines himself is more worthy of honor and respect than he who disciplines others." Indeed, education is related to example far more than it is related to the actual material being taught or any other aspect of communication.

This is because example gives power, dynamism, life, meaning, and effectiveness to what is being taught. Repertoire of Methodologies From another perspective, it is necessary that each teacher or educator be capable of a repertoire of methodologies, so that the student may perceive the subject matter in the best way possible, or that the value of what is being taught will penetrate the innermost consciousness of the person who is being taught.

For when the objective is to teach an idea, it is on the strength of methodology that this is effected. We feel that in education many people have erred in the modes of instruction they used to impart knowledge or value to others. This is in spite of possessing ample knowledge and having great value. Unfortunately, they do not know how to reach the minds of others.

Consider these words attributed to the Prophet: "We are the community of prophets, and are wont to speak to people at their level of understanding." We may construe them to mean that the propagator, teacher, or educator must reflect on the intellectual capacity of the people to whom he directs his teachings, so that an appropriate intellectual standard may be decided. Also to be decided is the manner and atmosphere by which to make their minds receptive to his instructions and ideas.

This is what we may understand from the word "wisdom" in the Qur’an, which means "the placement of a thing in its proper place." This indicates that the Word must be taken in its proper setting, and the methods be conducive to learning, inter alia. This is what eloquence dictates-the appropriateness of speech to the situation. The situation here covers the level of intellect, the atmosphere, the milieu and every other factor that can have an effect.

Kindness to the Student and the Learners There is another point, namely, that the teacher or educator must display compassion and understanding for those under their tutelage.