Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ said to a Qurayshi person: ‘Go to Masjid al-Nabawi, there you will see people sitting in a study circle with utmost respect and concentration, as if birds are sitting on their heads. (At that time) be assured that this is the gathering of Sayyiduna Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Husayn رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ.’ He رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ further said: ‘This gathering will be absolutely free from jokes.’^[1]

Similarly, when anybody would ask a question from Sayyiduna Sahl bin ‘Abdullah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, he would not reply. This continued for a long time, until one day, he sat leaning against a wall and said to the people: ‘Today, ask me whatever you want.’ The people humbly said: ‘What is the matter today? You did not use to answer any question.’ In reply, he said: ‘As long as my teacher, Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه was alive, I used to avoid answering questions out of his respect.’

People were greatly surprised to have heard this from him because as per their knowledge, Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه was still alive. Therefore, people straight away noted down the time and date. When it was inquired later on, then it was found out that Sayyiduna Zun Nun Misri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه passed away just a little while before Sayyiduna Sahl bin Abdullah had informed them.^[2]

Dear Islamic brothers! We should also show respect to our teachers, because they have a lot of favours upon us. Through knowledge, they teach us how to distinguish between good and bad, how to become active members of our contemporary society and try to improve our conduct and character. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه said: ‘In comparison to acquiring more knowledge, we are more in need of acquiring a little bit of Adab (etiquette).’^[3]

In explaining the respect a teacher deserves, the Imam of the Ahl al-Sunnah, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه has said:

1.   A student should not to begin conversation until his teacher does so.