Rights Of A Teacher

QUESTION:

Does a teacher have the right to discipline a student, and if so, what disciplinary methods can the teacher adopt? Some concerns have been raised by students in our local Maktab and we wish to address the teacher regarding this. Please advise if it is preferable to write an anonymous letter to the teacher, or would it be better to discuss the matter in person?

ANSWER:

We advise that you do not write an anonymous letter to the teacher, rather, you should speak to the teacher directly in a polite and respectful manner.

It should be noted that a teacher holds the same position as a parent when it comes to knowledge, and a teacher has the right to discipline a child whenever he/she deems it necessary. However, this should not be done in a manner that causes physical harm to the child. As such, teachers are allowed to raise their voices, ask children to stand, and also deducts rewards as a means of discipline.

As a parent, if you are unhappy with the disciplinary measures that the teacher uses, you should approach the teacher privately to address the issue in a polite and respectful manner.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَرْزُوقٍ الْبَصْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ بْنُ وَاقِدٍ، عَنْ زَرْبِيٍّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يَقُولُ جَاءَ شَيْخٌ يُرِيدُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَبْطَأَ الْقَوْمُ عَنْهُ أَنْ يُوَسِّعُوا لَهُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يَرْحَمْ صَغِيرَنَا وَيُوَقِّرْ كَبِيرَنَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَأَبِي أُمَامَةَ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ ‏.‏ وَزَرْبِيٌّ لَهُ أَحَادِيثُ مَنَاكِيرُ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَغَيْرِهِ ‏.

جامع الترمذي 1919)‏)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali

Date: 04 Jumaadal-Ulaa 1447 / 26 October 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally