On 5th October, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally. Additionally, 8th October marks the birth of Hadhrat Abdul Adhim al-Hasani. Hadhrat Abdul Adhim, who holds a high status in narrating hadiths and transmitting the teachings of the Imams (peace be upon them), can be regarded as a true teacher. A teacher who, with the concern of nurturing the Islamic community, has always strived to spread the knowledge of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) from its purest source. This exemplifies that true teaching is valuable only when it is based on truth and aims to reveal it. Misusing this noble position can spread falsehood and lead others astray.

In highlighting the exalted status of those who possess knowledge and propagate divine truths, Almighty God instructs all to seek answers from them and to search for divine knowledge from those qualified:

فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (سوره مبارکه انبیاء، آیه 7).

“So, ask those who possess knowledge if you do not know.”

(Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 7)

Educational Messages of the Verse for Teenagers and Youth:

Care in Seeking Advice: Young people must be extremely cautious about whom they seek advice from. Not everyone is qualified or trustworthy. They should consult people who not only have expertise in the subject but also have the fear of God, pure intentions, and no ill-will towards them.

Beware of Misinformation: social media, search engines, and the internet are filled with inaccurate and misleading information. They cannot replace the wisdom of knowledgeable and pious individuals. In today’s digital age, when many young people rely heavily on social media, this awareness is crucial.

Importance of Trusted Mentors: Rather than turning to unreliable sources, teenagers should be encouraged to seek guidance from those who are genuinely concerned about their well-being, like parents, teachers, and religious leaders, who are both knowledgeable and sincere.

Educational Messages of the Verse for Parents:

Not Knowing Isn’t the Problem, Not Asking Is! Not knowing is not a flaw; rather, the flaw lies in not asking those who are qualified to provide the right answers. Ignorance in itself is not blameworthy but failing to seek knowledge from those who possess it, when the opportunity is available, is where the shortcoming lies. True growth comes from recognising one’s limitations and taking the initiative to ask those who are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and able to guide in the right direction.

Providing Reliable Sources: Parents should guide their children to credible and authentic sources for answering their doubts and questions. It is not enough to leave children to find answers on their own. Parents may not know the answer to every question but can direct their children to trustworthy sources.

Responsibility Beyond Provision: The role of a parent is not limited to providing for their child’s material needs. Parents are also responsible for their moral, behavioural, and religious upbringing. Addressing their children’s queries with correct, authentic information is a vital part of this responsibility.

Active Engagement with Children’s Questions: Parents must not neglect or dismiss their children’s doubts or confusions. Engaging with their questions helps foster a positive environment for learning and growth.

Educational Messages of the Verse for Religious Leaders and Cultural Centre Imams:

Highlighting the Importance of Asking Questions: Religious leaders should emphasise the significance of asking questions and explain what makes a good question. Many times, the importance of asking is overlooked, and children who ask a lot of questions may even be seen as troublesome.

Educating on Proper Sources: Imams should teach their communities, especially the youth, that good questions should be directed towards reliable and trustworthy individuals. This point should be emphasised so that people avoid getting their answers from unverified or dubious sources.

Encouraging an Inquisitive Mindset in Families: Families should be encouraged to view the act of asking questions as a positive and healthy trait in their children, rather than something undesirable.

Educational Messages of the Verse for the Muslim Community:

Avoiding Misinformation in Digital Spaces: The Muslim community must be vigilant to ensure that the internet and social media do not become the default source for seeking answers. Just because information is easily accessible online does not mean it is accurate or authentic.

Promoting Authentic Sources: There should be a collective effort to identify and promote credible and scholarly sources of information. Communities should foster a critical approach, ensuring that non-credible sources are recognised, and their spread is limited.

Decreasing Demand for Unreliable Information: A community that no longer relies on untrustworthy sources will naturally reduce the demand for false information. This can help curb the supply of unreliable content, thus protecting individuals from misinformation.