Methods Used by Divine Messengers for Tarbiya
That is why the prophets each tried to use special methods to guide people and helped them on the path of Tarbiya.
Some methods they used for Tarbiya of the people have been mentioned in the Holy Quran, methods that each teacher and everyone involved in Tarbiya can benefit from.
The first method is asking questions on the path of reaching rational Tarbiya. Nothing can engage one’s mind like questioning. It paves the way for man’s growth and personal development. The very act of questioning is an indication of awareness and knowledge. One who does not ask has no awareness. Creating questions is a method used for rational Tarbiya and it activates one’s reasoning power and thought. This can be found in different verses of the Quran, like verse ten of Surah Ibrahim:
“Their Messengers said: ‘Is there any doubt about Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth? He calls you to Him in order that He forgives you your sins and defers you till a stated term.’ They said: ‘You are only mortals like us. You wish to bar us from that which our fathers worshipped. Give us some clear proof.’”
Asking questions has some requirements. One is recognizing the grounds for questions. This the Murabbi (one helping in Tarbiya) should know the attractive areas of question and also have knowledge about the answer. This is one of the best ways for rational Tarbya and directing the mind of the addressee.
The second method is learning and giving awareness. Man’s intellect is a system that needs fuel. The intellect is not a source but is a system of analysis and needs information. It requires to be fed in order to be activated. The thing that activates the intellect the most is awareness and knowledge. From the first day, the Holy Quran beings activating intellect in man by teaching him: “He taught Adam (father of humans) the names all of them and then presented them to the angels, saying: ‘Tell Me the names of these, if you are truthful.’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 31)
The importance of learning is mentioned in the very first verses revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH): “Read in the name of your Lord Who created, He created man from a clot, Read and your Lord is Most Honorable.” (Verses 1-3 of Surah Al-Alaq)
God guides mankind in the form of teaching and helping him learn. Thus, the prophets of God are teachers first, then Murrabi.
Another effective method used by the messengers of God is reasoning and using logic. “They have said that no one can ever go to Paradise except the Jews or Christians, but this is only what they hope. Ask them to prove that their claim is true.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 111)
One of the best ways for Tarbiya through reasoning is al-Jidal al-Ahsan (best dialectic), that is to say helping one learn by discussing with him with use of his own awareness.
