Some Prophetic Teaching Methods

The Prophet spoke in a very easy and understandable manner.  Because of this, his companions were able to memorize many of his teachings. The Prophet’s wives, Aishah, said that he “used to speak so clearly that if somebody wanted to count the number of his words, he could do so.” This was repeated by many other scholars, whose comments include, “Allah’s Messenger never talked so quickly and vaguely as you do” (Al-Bukhari, 1994, p. 701) and he spoke distinctly so that all those who listened to him, understood him (Al-Nawawi, 1985, vol. 1, p. 435).

The Prophet used a variety of teaching methods to instruct his companions, such as telling stories and making gestures to illustrate his point.  In one instance, the Prophet said, “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this,” putting his index and middle fingers together (Al-Bukhari, 2000, Vol. 8, Book 73, No. 34). Another approach was to draw simple graphic illustrations to convey some of his abstract ideas.

Besides the content of the lessons, the Prophet strove to create an appropriate atmosphere for learning.  He would take into account location and timing.  One of his companions reported “The Prophet used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored.  He abstained from pestering us with sermons and knowledge all the time” (Al-Bukhari, 2000, Vol. 1, Book 3, No. 68).  Another factor was the nature of the audience.  It is clearly evident that the Prophet’s teachings were “clear enough to have meaning for the ignorant as well as for the learned and sophisticated” (Allen & Muessig, 1962, p. 136).

The Prophet was also known for tailoring specific lessons to a particular pupil.  For example, one day the Prophet heard someone mocking the man making the call to prayer (known as the Adhan.)  Because the person laughed loudly, the Prophet disciplined him in front of his friend.  The punishment was to repeat the Adhan (call to prayer), himself.  At first, the man was very uncomfortable and nervous because he did not know the words.  But, after being personally taught by the Prophet how to make the call to prayer, he realized that the Prophet had given him a gift.  The man later acknowledged that being able to make the Adhan became one of his favorite activities (Ibn Juryj, 1992).

The Prophet’s guidelines for determining an appropriate punishment or penalty for undesirable behavior were that the consequences should be related to the situation. The Prophet’s companions commented that his method of correcting bad behavior by example helped them remember what they were taught. The Prophet also used logical reasoning to persuade his companions.  One example in Islamic literature tells the story of a young man who came to the Prophet and requested permission to commit adultery.  The Prophet asked the young man, “Would you like your own mother to be in such illicit sexual relation?”  The young man said, “No, O Prophet of God.” Thus the Prophet was able to demonstrate why his request was unacceptable.  The Prophet replied, “Others, too, do not like their mothers and sisters associated with fornication.” (Nadvi, 1987, pp. 30-31).

These examples show how the Prophet, himself, was involved in teaching and inculcating his sunnah (the Prophetic teachings).  These accounts also emphasize the value in making the punishment fit the crime, so to speak. Undesired behavior need not be merely suppressed (e.g., just telling someone to stop an improper behavior, with no other consequences for the behavior), but could be used instead as a lesson in appropriate conduct.