When we talk about female teachers, what usually come to our mind?
Many people might immediately say, “Oh, great! This is a sign of emancipation!” or “Cool, women are empowered now, not just in the kitchen.”
In today’s system, female teachers (and other professions) are often viewed merely as symbols of gender equality or as encouragement for women to contribute to the economy. Essentially, women are being pushed out of the home to become productive workers.
But, is it true that we need female teachers just for that?
Just to fill vacancies, to show that women can compete, or simply to prove that women are “empowered”?
If we use the Islamic perspective (aqliyah Islamiyyah), the answer is much deeper.
The presence of female teachers is not about “emancipation”, but about adherence to the Islamic social system and protecting the generation.
First Woman Teacher In Life
Before we talk about female teachers in school, let’s go back home. Who was the first female teacher in our lives?
The answer is clear, Mom.
In Islam, this role is called Ummun wa Rabbah al-Bayt (Mother and Household Manager). Note the first word: Ummun (Mother). This mother’s role is essentially that of a teacher, or what is commonly called Al-Ummu madrasatul ula (mother is the first teacher).
This role is fardhu ‘ain, the obligation of every mother.
This is the most basic, most strategic, and most decisive teaching profession for a child’s life direction.
It is not surprising that when someone asked the Prophet ﷺ about who was most deserving of being treated well, he answered.
قَالَ ” أُمُّكَ ” . قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ” ثُمَّ أُمُّكَ ” . قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ” ثُمَّ أُمُّكَ ” . قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ” ثُمَّ أَبُوكَ ”
“He ﷺ said, “Your mother.” The person asked again, “Then who?” He ﷺ answered, “Your mother.” He asked again, “Then who?” He ﷺ answered, “Your mother.” He asked again, “Then who?” He ﷺ answered, “Then your father.” (Hadith History of Muslim, no. 2548).
Mother is mentioned three times in a row, demonstrating her immense status and trust. Besides giving birth and breastfeeding, a mother is also the first teacher in her child’s life.
Also read: Afraid Your Income Will Stop If You Stay Sharia Compliant?
Female Teachers Guard The Social Fortress
If the role of a mother as a teacher is fardhu ‘ain, why do we still need female teachers in schools?
This is the most basic reason to maintain the social bonds of our children at school.
Islam places great importance on the honor and chastity of both men and women. One way to do this is by separating their social lives (iftiraq), meaning they should not mix (ikhtilath).
This is not a rule to make life rigid. This is a fortress of protection that Allah ﷻ ordered so that we are all safe from slander.
Allah ﷻ says:
قُلْ لِّـلۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ يَغُـضُّوۡا مِنۡ اَبۡصَارِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُوۡا فُرُوۡجَهُمۡ ؕ
“Say to the men who believe: ‘Let them restrain their gaze, and guard their private parts.’
وَقُلْ لِّـلۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ اَبۡصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوۡجَهُنَّ
“And say to the believing women: ‘Let them restrain their gaze, and guard their private parts.” (Quran Surah An-Nur [24]: 30-31).
Now imagine the reality: boys and girls who have reached puberty sit in the same classroom for hours on end. Girls are taught by male (non mahram) teachers from morning until noon, every day.
The question is, how are these children going to learn to lower their gaze, if the situation forces them to look at each other?
And how can male teachers maintain their self respect if their interactions are intense with female students?
This is where the great need for female teachers lies. Not just an alternative, but a solution to maintain social harmony, ensuring that education remains within the bounds of sharia.
Also read: A Profitable Business, But Declining Faith? How Come?
Specific Needs of Women’s Special Science
There are sciences that are only appropriate to be taught by women to women.
The closest examples: jurisprudence on menstruation, postpartum bleeding, major bathing, the difference between menstruation and istihadhah, and other sensitive matters.
This knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim woman. Misunderstanding it can invalidate years of worship.
The question is simple: would girls feel comfortable asking male teachers about their menstrual blood? Of course not.
Without female teachers, female students might be embarrassed to ask questions. They might end up guessing, which is dangerous.
Therefore, the presence of female teachers is not an add-on. They are a bridge of important knowledge that can only be shared comfortably and safely by fellow women.
Also read: Independent Ruqyah to Protect Your Heart and Business
Psychological Needs, Real Role Models
Education is not just the transfer of knowledge from books to the head. Education is the transfer of thoughts with the aim of personality formation (syakhsiyyah).
That’s why our girls need role models (qudwah) from fellow women.
They need to see real life examples of how a Muslim woman behaves. For example, how to wear a khimar (headscarf) that is shar’i (Islamic) but still neat, how to socialize with modesty and dignity, or how to speak firmly but politely, not overly coquettishly.
Role of qudwah (exemplary behavior) cannot be replaced by male teachers, no matter how advanced their knowledge.
Furthermore, female teachers aren’t just classroom teachers. They are a direct reflection of how a Muslim woman embodies her dignity.
And there are also psychological areas that only female teachers can touch. Female students will be more comfortable telling stories, confiding in themselves, or asking other women about sensitive questions. And that’s good, as long as it is guided by Islamic shakhsiyyah.
Without pious and strong female teachers, who will our daughters learn from?
Also read: Business Competition, Is It Test or a Threat?
Conclusion: Basic Needs, Not Just Options
To summarize, the need for female teachers is not just a discourse on women’s empowerment.
This is an urgent need for a healthy Islamic social system in educational settings. It safeguards the honor of our daughters, ensures their worship is sound, and provides them with clear role models.
Indeed, a woman’s main role remains as a mother. That’s fardhu ‘ain. But the lack of female teachers who understand sharia in schools is a big risk for our generation.
“Every woman is a teacher. Both in her home as an obligation, and in schools as a necessity for the community. Both are a source of glory in building civilization.”
May Allah ﷻ glorify the women who never tire of educating, wherever they are.
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
Author: Redha Sindarotama
Reference:
Al-Qur’an. Al-Karim. Accessed from: https://quran.com/
Muslim. Sahih Muslim , Hadith No. 2548. Accessed from https://sunnah.com/muslim:2548
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. The System of Social Interaction in Islam (An-Nizhâm Al-Ijtimâ’î fi Al-Islam). Jakarta: Pustaka Fikrul Islam.
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin). Islamic Personality Volume I. Jakarta: Pustaka Fikrul Islam.