Calling a madrasa teacher a servant

Question

May the teacher of an elementary religious school or a madrasa be called a labourer, a servant or an employee? And if someone says so, how is that? And may one give this example: “Make the labourer happy and he will do more work” (مزدور خوش کن کند کار پیش)? How is the one who gives this example?

Answer

The position of a religious instructor and teacher is a very honourable and lofty one. To call such a person a labourer or a servant is to insult and belittle him. The instructor and teacher, too, must, in keeping with his position, live with dignity and self-sufficiency, for his aim is the service of the religion, not the acquisition of money and employment.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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