Episode 56 Teach It Up
This episode of Level Up (Episode 56, titled "Teach It Up") features hosts Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes discussing global news, community issues, and the importance of teachers on the eve of World Teachers' Day (observed 5th October).
Weekly News Highlights:
- International News: The hosts cover the forensic crisis in Nepal following floods (05:54), a reported incident on a Fly Dubai flight (06:57), civil unrest in France and Spain (08:12), and the shift in Swiss neutrality (08:59). They also discuss the diplomatic breakdown between Ethiopia and Eritrea (10:36).
- Local Good News: The National Cupcake Day campaign by Cupcakes of Hope raised over 2 million Rand to support children with cancer (11:06).
- Sports Updates: Discussions include Bafana Bafana's upcoming match against Egypt (11:56), the Proteas ODI series against Australia (12:35), and a recent Springboks match result (13:35).
Main Topic: World Teachers' Day:
- The Global Shortage: The hosts address the UNESCO report predicting a deficit of 44 million teachers by 2030, noting that many educators are moving into online or corporate roles (15:21-19:42).
- Islamic Perspective: Teaching is highlighted as a core part of Islamic tradition. The hosts reference the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as the ultimate teacher, emphasizing patience, kindness, and making knowledge accessible (22:45-26:15).
- Appreciation: The segment concludes with practical ways to show gratitude to teachers—ranging from handwritten notes and positive emails to simple, thoughtful gifts—while warning against entitlement and stressing the importance of setting boundaries for both teachers and parents (39:01-45:51).
Listen to Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 56: Teach It Up
Sunday 04 October 2026 / 22nd Rabi al-Thani 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Watch Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 56: Teach It Up
Sunday 04 October 2026 / 22nd Rabi al-Thani 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
Read the Transcript for Level Up with Ziyaad, Nabihah, and Isa Plaatjes on Radio Islam International MW 1548
Episode 56: Teach It Up
Sunday 04 October 2026 / 22nd Rabi al-Thani 1448AH 14h00 - 15h00 (CAT)
0:08
8 seconds
To dear listeners, it's just past 200 p.m. right here in South Africa in sunny
0:15
15 seconds
South Africa. Alhamdulillah. And it's our favorite day of the week, Yom Aad.
0:22
22 seconds
It's the 22nd day of Rabiai 1448 ah alhamdulillah. and it corresponds to Sunday the 4th of October 2026.
0:33
33 seconds
I'm Zad Plachies and with me are my co-hosts Nabiha and Issa Plachis.
0:39
39 seconds
Welcome to Level Up where we listen, learn, and grow inshallah with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's guidance and we break down the week's news and talk
0:46
46 seconds
about what really matters to young Muslims today. Our WhatsApp line is open. The number is 0727861548.
0:56
56 seconds
You can call in on 0185472 or DM us on.com.
1:05
1 minute, 5 seconds
That's Lov Z A C O M. We're on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tik Tok, Threads,
1:14
1 minute, 14 seconds
Upscirrolled, and we have a WhatsApp channel as well.
1:18
1 minute, 18 seconds
October is a busy month. It was international coffee day on first on the 1st of October.
1:26
1 minute, 26 seconds
Tomorrow is the 5th of October which is World Teachers Day and it's a major
1:35
1 minute, 35 seconds
global obs observance. This month are priest breast
1:44
1 minute, 44 seconds
cancer awareness month which focuses on early detection education and supporting
1:50
1 minute, 50 seconds
those affected by the most common cancer among women. Mental Health Awareness
1:57
1 minute, 57 seconds
Month, which aims to educate the public, promote emotional well-being, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
2:08
2 minutes, 8 seconds
Cyber Security Awareness Month, which encourages safe digital habits and online data
2:16
2 minutes, 16 seconds
protection and Down syndrome awareness month which highlights inclusion, acceptance and
2:25
2 minutes, 25 seconds
capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome. Inshallah throughout the month we'll discuss these further.
2:35
2 minutes, 35 seconds
Amen. So there is quite a lot happening this month in October. Um I believe uh
2:42
2 minutes, 42 seconds
uh for the breast cancer awareness they have a lot of uh what's called a pink drive where they actually have these um
2:52
2 minutes, 52 seconds
like mobile clinics that go out and they do early detection. So uh keep a lookout for that. They normally um
3:00
3 minutes
have it on social media. We'll also share it on our social media if we don't mention it on radio as well inshallah.
3:07
3 minutes, 7 seconds
Um I think it's always good to you know like uh go for those things. I don't know what it entails cuz obviously um
3:15
3 minutes, 15 seconds
I'm a male. Um but they do have early detection cancer awareness things for males as well. So
3:23
3 minutes, 23 seconds
they do do these drives for you know certain um you know types of cancer. So you should actually go and you know
3:31
3 minutes, 31 seconds
inshallah go get tested and make sure that you you you um if there are early
3:38
3 minutes, 38 seconds
signs you know you can do the necessary precautions and I mean and then also with regards to um
3:46
3 minutes, 46 seconds
mental health awareness month I know um usually I haven't seen anything yet but usually there's a lot of talks there's a
3:53
3 minutes, 53 seconds
lot of events around mental health wellness especially um the fact that it's coming close to the end of the year
4:01
4 minutes, 1 second
and you know in terms of school there's metric finals and you know like final exams and
4:10
4 minutes, 10 seconds
let's not forget the other grades as well. I know grade 11s always have a lot of stress on their plate because their results are the ones that you know gets
4:18
4 minutes, 18 seconds
you into the colleges and universities and so on. So there's a lot of stress on them as well. So um yeah a lot of stress
4:28
4 minutes, 28 seconds
basically regarding exam times and then that we should not you know like um turn our eyes away from from their stress as
4:37
4 minutes, 37 seconds
well and taking a toll on their mental health.
4:39
4 minutes, 39 seconds
Yeah. But I think not only at a at a school level um at a at a adult level as well. I mean, it's the end of the year,
4:47
4 minutes, 47 seconds
like I said. Um, lots of people, you know, trying to save up for maybe a holiday or maybe for school fees next
4:56
4 minutes, 56 seconds
year or, um, you know, just the the end of the year always seems to build a lot of pressure for everybody.
5:05
5 minutes, 5 seconds
Um, work environments get a little bit more hectic because everybody's trying to shut down before like the 15th of
5:12
5 minutes, 12 seconds
December. So this particular month October and November become more stressful. Um and I think mental health
5:20
5 minutes, 20 seconds
needs to be uh you know priority health in general.
5:25
5 minutes, 25 seconds
Um so yeah we hopefully inshallah discuss it more. Um if there are events or talks taking place online or in
5:34
5 minutes, 34 seconds
person then we will hopefully mention it inshallah. But also keep a look out on our social media. I'm sure radio Islam
5:41
5 minutes, 41 seconds
will also, you know, share stuff as well because these are global awareness um months uh issues. Sorry.
5:52
5 minutes, 52 seconds
Uh so let's take a look at this week's news. Uh, Nepal faces a severe forensic crisis following a catastrophic
6:00
6 minutes
Himalayan flash flood, leaving over 5,000 people missing and authorities overwhelmed by the sheer volume of
6:07
6 minutes, 7 seconds
recovered bodies requiring DNA identification.
6:11
6 minutes, 11 seconds
International assistants from several countries have been deployed to help manage the massive influx of forensic samples and alleviate the burden on local laboratories.
6:22
6 minutes, 22 seconds
So um the six South Africans are are still missing. Um they still you know
6:30
6 minutes, 30 seconds
trying to identify the bodies like they said using DNA from family members here in South Africa. It's it's it's quite
6:38
6 minutes, 38 seconds
tragic um what has happened and I think uh you know we hope that inshallah
6:46
6 minutes, 46 seconds
the families receive the the uh trauma treatment that they need and Allah make it easy for them during this difficult time.
6:55
6 minutes, 55 seconds
Amen.
6:57
6 minutes, 57 seconds
Then earlier this week, a Fly Dubai co-pilot attacks attacked the captain with a crash ax and attempted to crash a Tel Avivbound flight on September the
7:05
7 minutes, 5 seconds
30th, 2026. According to some media outlets, the co-pilot used a cockpit crash ax to stab and injure Captain Smith Macha Machar.
7:17
7 minutes, 17 seconds
The plane dropped rapidly over 14,000 to 17,000 ft in less than 2 minutes. The wounded captain uh managed to open the
7:26
7 minutes, 26 seconds
cockpit door and passengers and offduty pilots subdued the attacker. Two reserve fly Dubai pilots on board took control
7:34
7 minutes, 34 seconds
of the flight panel to land safely into book Saudi Arabia.
7:40
7 minutes, 40 seconds
Okay, this is obviously um according to sources um in inverted commas. We don't know the
7:49
7 minutes, 49 seconds
proper story. Um lots of people are saying that you know it didn't actually happen. It was staged. Uh we don't know.
7:55
7 minutes, 55 seconds
Only Allah knows uh what really happened or if something did happen. Um but yeah.
8:03
8 minutes, 3 seconds
Yes. So just like the other occurrences you know in many previous years gone by.
8:10
8 minutes, 10 seconds
But let's stay with the global news. Um there's been some social unrest in the European country. Um, there's been heavy
8:17
8 minutes, 17 seconds
civil unrest that hit several European capitals. In France, there's been widespread riot, police clashes that
8:26
8 minutes, 26 seconds
broke out as tens of thousands of high school and university university students struck over educational
8:34
8 minutes, 34 seconds
infrastructure and conditions. In Spain, there's been largecale protests that fold the streets over a deepening national housing crisis.
8:45
8 minutes, 45 seconds
Yes, I heard about that. Uh and also I saw um some videos um from France as well. So um it's getting a bit out of hand there in the European countries.
8:56
8 minutes, 56 seconds
And then um in the there's in terms of elections and voting, the Swiss neutral neutrality vote in a historic
9:04
9 minutes, 4 seconds
referendum, Swiss citizens decisively voted down proposed rules to enforce stricter state neutrality. the vote
9:13
9 minutes, 13 seconds
solidifies Switzerland's alignment with EU backed economic measures and then so they're saying that uh they shouldn't
9:21
9 minutes, 21 seconds
be neutral anymore because they were but they need to they need to pick a side now they need to pick a side you know how how they always say um you can't be
9:30
9 minutes, 30 seconds
Switzerland you can't be neutral so you can't use that as a reference anymore because they don't want to be neutral yeah well the thing is the world is
9:39
9 minutes, 39 seconds
changing rapidly and like they that they you know part of the EU they they're part of some ecosystem and some sort of
9:48
9 minutes, 48 seconds
environment so they need to adapt um their stance in terms of what whatever is happening globally or within
9:56
9 minutes, 56 seconds
the environment that um they are part of Mhm.
10:00
10 minutes
Yeah. again. Then in South America, the security concerns have gripped Brazil ahead of its highly competitive presidential elections.
10:10
10 minutes, 10 seconds
But uh yeah, so I don't want to go too much into that. So there's a lot of you know like unrest for voting in elections throughout the globe.
10:19
10 minutes, 19 seconds
Hopefully we have a smooth and peaceful elections in on the 4th of November here in South Africa.
10:26
10 minutes, 26 seconds
Um yeah, inshamal. Uh okay. So let's move a little bit closer to um Africa. In um
10:36
10 minutes, 36 seconds
East African, there's been a diplomatic breakdown. Unfortunately, Ethiopia and Eritrea have officially severed
10:43
10 minutes, 43 seconds
diplomatic ties. The fallout accompanies a heavy escalation in combat with Ethiopian forces pushing into the
10:51
10 minutes, 51 seconds
northern Tigra region and trapping civilians in crossfire. Sure.
10:59
10 minutes, 59 seconds
Yeah. So, okay. So, even here locally in Africa, there's unrest.
11:04
11 minutes, 4 seconds
Okay. And then let's go. Okay. Let's let's maybe I think this is a bit of good news. Locally in South Africa, the annual National Cupcake Day campaign
11:13
11 minutes, 13 seconds
organized by Cupcakes of Hope raised a record-breaking 2,6,021
11:20
11 minutes, 20 seconds
ran across 87 South African shopping malls to support children with cancer.
11:26
11 minutes, 26 seconds
The grassroots initiative mobilized 3,100 volunteer bakers to deliver nearly 118,000
11:35
11 minutes, 35 seconds
cupcakes directly funding vital non-medical assistance for over 140 families each month. Alhamdulillah. And
11:44
11 minutes, 44 seconds
this is really making me feel for cupcakes.
11:47
11 minutes, 47 seconds
But alhamdulillah, it's for a good cause. Alhamdulillah.
11:51
11 minutes, 51 seconds
Yes. And then in uh sports news, Bafana Bafana prepares to face Egypt tonight at
12:00
12 minutes
8:00 p.m. in Cairo international friendly under new coach Pitzo Mosimane
12:08
12 minutes, 8 seconds
following a dominant 5nil AFCON qualifying win over Eritrea on 30th
12:16
12 minutes, 16 seconds
September and 21 AFCON qualifying win over Gina on 26th September.
12:25
12 minutes, 25 seconds
That's Guinea and oh wow I just mentioned Eritria and I never even heard of that place before.
12:32
12 minutes, 32 seconds
And the Proteers men recently won three their three match ODI series against Australia 2-1 this week.
12:44
12 minutes, 44 seconds
Um if you win three in a row, it's called a hat-tick, isn't it?
12:48
12 minutes, 48 seconds
Yes. Yes. And then the first match they won by six 67 I mean 67 runs at Kings Med in Durban.
13:01
13 minutes, 1 second
The second ODI the Proteers won by 32 runs at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
13:09
13 minutes, 9 seconds
And the final day night match on Wednesday the 30th September was decided by the duck with Lewis method as the
13:18
13 minutes, 18 seconds
match ended due to rain. Australia won by 45 runs.
13:24
13 minutes, 24 seconds
Um I don't know what's duckworth Lewis method but I'm so happy that I know what odi means. It's one day international.
13:32
13 minutes, 32 seconds
Yes it is. And then the Spring Box were narrowly defeated by Australia in the
13:39
13 minutes, 39 seconds
international friendly on the 27th September with the full-time score of 4238 in favor of Australia.
13:50
13 minutes, 50 seconds
If you would like to join the conversation, our subline is 072-7861548
13:56
13 minutes, 56 seconds
or you can call in on 0185472 or you can even DM us on.com on social
14:04
14 minutes, 4 seconds
media. That's ov zoom m. Let's go for a break and when we get back we'll be
14:11
14 minutes, 11 seconds
talking about World Teachers Day and how we can show some appreciation for our teachers inshallah.
14:19
14 minutes, 19 seconds
Tutoring, mentoring, homeschool assistance, concessions, facilitation and more
14:26
14 minutes, 26 seconds
visit after grant academy the dawn of excellence
14:35
14 minutes, 35 seconds
and welcome back to level up. If you've just tuned in, we've been catching up on the latest news locally and
14:42
14 minutes, 42 seconds
internationally. If you missed it, be sure to check out the Radio Islam International Soundcloud during the week for the podcast as well as our
14:50
14 minutes, 50 seconds
website.com for the video podcast. But right now, we'll be speaking about the importance of teachers inshallah.
15:01
15 minutes, 1 second
If you would like to join the conversation, our blind is open. The number is 072-7861548
15:08
15 minutes, 8 seconds
or you can call in on 0185472 or you can even DM us on atabs.com that's i l o v e z a c o m.
15:21
15 minutes, 21 seconds
UNESCO inaugurated 5th October as world teachers day. Actually, I just want to
15:28
15 minutes, 28 seconds
mention something because you said uh UNESCO um there's a UNESCO warning of a system systemic shortage. According to
15:36
15 minutes, 36 seconds
the UNESCO's global report on teachers, I think we have mentioned this before, but I just want to mention it again. The
15:43
15 minutes, 43 seconds
world faces an alarming deficit of 44 million primary and secondary school teachers by 2030 to achieve universal basic education.
15:56
15 minutes, 56 seconds
While developing regions bear the heaviest burden with subsahara and Africa alone needing 15 million new
16:04
16 minutes, 4 seconds
educators, the crisis has become a global epidemic.
16:09
16 minutes, 9 seconds
Sure. So, um if you're listening and you're thinking of a career change or you're thinking of what are you going to
16:17
16 minutes, 17 seconds
do when you finish school, uh become a teacher. I think it's it's such a rewarding profession and lots of people
16:25
16 minutes, 25 seconds
um are shying away from it now because you know they feel like there's a lot to do and it's obviously changed over the
16:33
16 minutes, 33 seconds
years. We know when we were at school then teachers used to work um you know
16:41
16 minutes, 41 seconds
school hours and get school breaks uh when we used to be on holiday but now it's become more corporatized. um
16:49
16 minutes, 49 seconds
there's a lot more work but it's like I said it's it's rewarding in the sense that you are imparting knowledge um to
16:59
16 minutes, 59 seconds
any generation it doesn't have to be even to the young generation there's um adult basic education as well so there's teachers that are are teaching that
17:08
17 minutes, 8 seconds
there's teachers that are teaching Islamic uh um studies studies as well so um it's not only
17:16
17 minutes, 16 seconds
secular and I think that you know you were talking specifically about basic education, secular education, but I
17:24
17 minutes, 24 seconds
think there's a a shortage worldwide of teachers and I think that you know it's
17:31
17 minutes, 31 seconds
a profession to look at definitely um the world is changing and you know like um a lot of people they
17:39
17 minutes, 39 seconds
say you know our world is obviously not the same as when our previous generations were around. So I mean
17:47
17 minutes, 47 seconds
people can say that children are unruly but you know that's why they don't want to go into your teaching or but the thing is I mean that needs to come from
17:55
17 minutes, 55 seconds
home to be honest you know you you need to you teach your children you need to teach your children first and foremost
18:03
18 minutes, 3 seconds
before you send them to school to expect a teacher to teach but the teachers also should not shun their responsibilities they should enforce not enforce is that
18:12
18 minutes, 12 seconds
the right word or like enhance their behavior enhance good behavior and so on.
18:17
18 minutes, 17 seconds
But I think it's it's also um you know going on that point um is that there's a
18:24
18 minutes, 24 seconds
big drive for qualified teachers to move into the online space. Um one the
18:34
18 minutes, 34 seconds
working hours are obviously flexible in terms of you're not going to a particular school. two, you can teach
18:43
18 minutes, 43 seconds
over 200 kids online and you don't have to ever meet them or have this unruly behavior in your face every day. Um, so
18:51
18 minutes, 51 seconds
there we losing a lot of teachers in uh brick and mortar schools and I think
18:58
18 minutes, 58 seconds
that's where the the gap is in that there are qualified teachers. So there's
19:05
19 minutes, 5 seconds
not not enough qualified teachers. I think they are moving into a different space and if they there is a lot that actually are moving
19:14
19 minutes, 14 seconds
into corporate spaces as well that that that's something that I've read about it. So not just online teaching they've actually moved into corporate spaces.
19:23
19 minutes, 23 seconds
Yeah. Well I mean there's a lot more training as well in corporate spaces. So so um that's where the the the gap is.
19:31
19 minutes, 31 seconds
It's not that there's not enough. that it's been moved around or watered down or I don't
19:39
19 minutes, 39 seconds
know what the word is but yeah yeah there um I wanted to just expand on that it's globally globally teacher
19:48
19 minutes, 48 seconds
attrition rates doubled from 4.6% in 2015 to over 9% in recent years with a staggering percentage of new educators
19:57
19 minutes, 57 seconds
leaving their profession within the first 5 years. So like you mentioned um and then the director general of UNESCO
20:06
20 minutes, 6 seconds
mentioned that teachers are not just a workforce they are the heart of every education system. When we fail to
20:13
20 minutes, 13 seconds
recruit and retain teachers we fail the next generation. The world must treat the teacher shortage not as a localized
20:21
20 minutes, 21 seconds
nuisance but as a global human rights crisis. That's actually very interesting and true because they they're teaching your children. they're teaching the
20:29
20 minutes, 29 seconds
people that you that are going to be around you know late for the later coming years. So definitely we need to
20:36
20 minutes, 36 seconds
teach we need to to to show the importance of teachers and teachers don't take this um as as a ego boost or
20:44
20 minutes, 44 seconds
something you know be people that our future generation can depend on you know can learn from inshallah amen.
20:53
20 minutes, 53 seconds
No but like like we said it's a rewarding profession and it's something that you want to go into. You're not going to be a millionaire if you become
21:01
21 minutes, 1 second
a teacher. um you're not going to have fame and fortune um you know it's not that type of profession but um I think
21:10
21 minutes, 10 seconds
people who go into that profession generally um are caring they generally
21:16
21 minutes, 16 seconds
um you know are worried about the future generation and that's why they go in into that profession and I think that's
21:24
21 minutes, 24 seconds
what we need to instill in the younger generation so that they become those people who want to become teachers is
21:34
21 minutes, 34 seconds
I mean I like that you mentioned you know about going into the profession knowing that you're not going to be a millionaire or something. There was something very interesting that I read
21:42
21 minutes, 42 seconds
recently that said um you know when you know when you go through lots of hardship you continuously see things
21:51
21 minutes, 51 seconds
about you know risk and you know the wle and putting your trust in Allah and something that I read actually said that
21:58
21 minutes, 58 seconds
um you shouldn't really try and um yes we we need we we need the money to pay
22:06
22 minutes, 6 seconds
for you know basic things basic expenses unfortunately in our life. But when you go into a business or when you go into a
22:14
22 minutes, 14 seconds
professional, when when you go into something that you're going to do, don't go into it to get money. Go into it to
22:22
22 minutes, 22 seconds
see how it can benefit others, how you can teach others, how you can benefit others, and how you can be a blessing
22:29
22 minutes, 29 seconds
to, you know, humankind basically. And that way Allah will bless you.
22:34
22 minutes, 34 seconds
Yeah. Well, well, we always say if you're doing everything for the pleasure of Allah, then Allah will always uh, you know, look after you.
22:44
22 minutes, 44 seconds
Amen.
22:45
22 minutes, 45 seconds
World Teachers Day represents a significant significant effort to raise awareness,
22:53
22 minutes, 53 seconds
understanding and appreciation for the vital contribution that teachers
23:00
23 minutes
make to education and development across the globe. Teachers shape minds, hearts,
23:08
23 minutes, 8 seconds
and entire generations and are at the core of communities and society.
23:15
23 minutes, 15 seconds
In Islam, teaching is a deep part of our heritage. And as we mark World Teachers Day, it is only fitting that we look to
23:23
23 minutes, 23 seconds
the legacy of knowledge within our own tradition. First and foremost, our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu
23:30
23 minutes, 30 seconds
alaihi wasallam was the greatest teacher.
23:35
23 minutes, 35 seconds
The prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam didn't just bring revelation to humanity. He taught it. Prophet Muhammad
23:42
23 minutes, 42 seconds
sallallahu alaihi wasallam emphasize that teaching and spreading beneficial knowledge is one of the highest and most rewarding acts in Islam. Famously
23:51
23 minutes, 51 seconds
stating verily I have been verily I have been sent as a teacher. Sunnan Iban Maja 229.
23:59
23 minutes, 59 seconds
Here are a few hadiths on teaching and teachers. In Sah Al Bkari, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, "The best among you Muslims are
24:08
24 minutes, 8 seconds
those who learn the Quran and teach it." In Sah Muslim, Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, "When a
24:17
24 minutes, 17 seconds
man dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three. ongoing charity saddakaria beneficial knowledge that is
24:26
24 minutes, 26 seconds
taught and left behind or a righteous child who will pray for him.
24:32
24 minutes, 32 seconds
Musad Ahmed uh the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam instructed teach and make things easy and don't make things difficult and remain silent when angry.
24:44
24 minutes, 44 seconds
This highlights that educators should simplify concepts, encourage learners and avoid harshness. I just want to stop you there. You know there's this is the
24:53
24 minutes, 53 seconds
constant teaching of Islam that we need to make things easy for others. Now you always mention you know remove a stick
25:02
25 minutes, 2 seconds
or a stone from a pathway so you know someone doesn't trip over it or a banana peel I think so someone doesn't slip on
25:08
25 minutes, 8 seconds
it or um you know like a stone so you know a car doesn't or a bike doesn't get
25:15
25 minutes, 15 seconds
harmed or harmed is the right word from it. So you're trying to make things easier for others and people don't
25:23
25 minutes, 23 seconds
realize this that we are actually like like I've mentioned before it's not just I mean as well your duty to mankind.
25:34
25 minutes, 34 seconds
So yeah. Yeah, we must always remember that. And you see if we go back to these teachings of our beloved prophet
25:41
25 minutes, 41 seconds
Muhammad sallahu alaihi wasallam and we continue doing these things um then we'll have a better society.
25:52
25 minutes, 52 seconds
Then Sahi Muslim Muawa Iben al-Hakam al-Sami described the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam's teaching
26:00
26 minutes
style saying I have not be seen a better teacher before or after him by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala the prophet Muhammad
26:08
26 minutes, 8 seconds
sallallahu alaihi wasallam did not scold me hit me or revile me he only gently explained alhamdulillah
26:15
26 minutes, 15 seconds
alhamdulillah and I think it's not you know when we think of teachers we think of teaching as a profession
26:22
26 minutes, 22 seconds
But parents can be teachers, children can be teachers, um family, friends, anybody can be a
26:29
26 minutes, 29 seconds
teacher because they teach you different things. They teach you um you know they say people come into your life because
26:36
26 minutes, 36 seconds
they're there to teach you something, you know. Um so anybody can be a teacher. You don't have to be a qualified teacher. We're not only talking about qualified teacher.
26:45
26 minutes, 45 seconds
Obviously UNESCO's World Teachers Day is about uh qualified teachers who studied a bachelor of education here in South Africa.
26:54
26 minutes, 54 seconds
Um but anybody can be a teacher. If you have knowledge and you're imparting it, you are teaching somebody something.
27:01
27 minutes, 1 second
As long as it's um what is the word fully um researched um you know it's proper basically you
27:09
27 minutes, 9 seconds
don't want to teach people the wrong things. You know what I mean? But you know if you've gone through the research you know exactly or even teaching in
27:18
27 minutes, 18 seconds
life you've been through now now remember that not everyone has the same life also but I mean if you want to
27:25
27 minutes, 25 seconds
impart your knowledge so that inshallah someone can benefit from it and that way inshallah you teach I mean yeah you
27:32
27 minutes, 32 seconds
don't have to be a qualified teacher to teach someone how to change a tire on a car.
27:39
27 minutes, 39 seconds
Yeah, actually that's very good a point also you know teaching someone how to change a tire on the car like basic life skills as well. I know they have life
27:47
27 minutes, 47 seconds
skills now not when we were in school but now in school they have basic life skills and that's very important to know
27:55
27 minutes, 55 seconds
you know like knowing how to uh change a tire to even these safety tips how to look after yourself at home when you're
28:03
28 minutes, 3 seconds
in a car when you're in public. So you know like teach that. I mean we're going off a bit a bit off but I mean that's also teaching although
28:11
28 minutes, 11 seconds
you know the safety tips is something we should we did speak about but we should carry on with
28:18
28 minutes, 18 seconds
a mean and um I like how you mentioned um because it's it's actually famously declared everywhere you know this hadith that indeed the prophet sallallahu
28:26
28 minutes, 26 seconds
alaihi wasallam declared that indeed I was only sent as a teacher you know I was sent as a teacher to to and he he
28:34
28 minutes, 34 seconds
taught through patience gradual instruction and positive reinforcement, you know, not aggressively, not uh, you
28:44
28 minutes, 44 seconds
know, uh, having the ruler on your knuckles and saying read, do this.
28:51
28 minutes, 51 seconds
Yeah. Unfortunately, we grew up in a different time. Um, and then Sunb Maja um, the prophet Muhammad sallallahu
28:58
28 minutes, 58 seconds
alaihi wasallam said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim. By extension, sharing and teaching that knowledge fulfills the community's
29:07
29 minutes, 7 seconds
collective and individual responsibilities.
29:11
29 minutes, 11 seconds
Alhamdulillah. Yes, it definitely does because I mean you you learn and then you you teach and you share that knowledge so others can also learn um
29:19
29 minutes, 19 seconds
and they can, you know, impart their their knowledge to the later generations as well. And like I said, it has to be the proper thing. You don't want to
29:27
29 minutes, 27 seconds
teach the wrong thing. But um yeah, the the seeking knowledge I heard um a saying a long time ago, seek knowledge.
29:35
29 minutes, 35 seconds
I don't know if it's hadith, so don't quote me on this. So, but I did hear in school um seeking knowledge until the cradle cradle to the grave. What is
29:44
29 minutes, 44 seconds
that? Seek knowledge until from the cradle to the grave. So, obviously, you know, from the time you are born, right, up until the day you die, you must seek
29:52
29 minutes, 52 seconds
knowledge. You must look out and and and go and research and you know like you must be knowledgeable you know but you
30:00
30 minutes
mustn't act knowledgeable you know you mustn't be like um uh like you are all
30:07
30 minutes, 7 seconds
knowing cuz no one can be all knowing there's always something to all to learn.
30:12
30 minutes, 12 seconds
Yeah you're always you're always learning and I I like that you said that there was also seek knowledge even unto China.
30:20
30 minutes, 20 seconds
I saw that on your t-shirt.
30:21
30 minutes, 21 seconds
Yeah. And the thing is that it doesn't matter where you are in the world you can learn from. I mean now that we have
30:30
30 minutes, 30 seconds
this global community online global community it's so much easier to learn things from people we don't have to have
30:37
30 minutes, 37 seconds
pen pals where we you know write to them and then we wait so many weeks for the letter to come back find out about their
30:44
30 minutes, 44 seconds
life not but their world you know their country and stuff.
30:48
30 minutes, 48 seconds
What what do they do? How does things work? how is Islam in their country for example. Um now you know it's so much
30:57
30 minutes, 57 seconds
easier to connect with people to find to get information to seek knowledge. Uh like you said, I like that you you know
31:04
31 minutes, 4 seconds
make sure that it's a authenticated um that because a there's a lot of stuff even on these you know chat GPT or
31:12
31 minutes, 12 seconds
Gemini or whatever these G AI things are there's a lot of stuff that is not um authenticated
31:20
31 minutes, 20 seconds
authenticated but also because it learns from what people input and if people are
31:27
31 minutes, 27 seconds
inputting the wrong information then it will give out the wrong information. Yes.
31:33
31 minutes, 33 seconds
So you always need to and that's why it's important to still visit a library, look at that hard coverver book and go
31:42
31 minutes, 42 seconds
through that encyclopedia and see, you know, like this is actually, you know, a fact, the the original source. Yeah.
31:50
31 minutes, 50 seconds
I remember in school, you know, they always ask um the different types of sources, whether it's primary source, secondary source, and tertiary source.
31:59
31 minutes, 59 seconds
You remember that?
31:59
31 minutes, 59 seconds
Yes. So um books were always the primary source, the original source, you know,
32:06
32 minutes, 6 seconds
the the source the where you get all your proper information from. And that
32:14
32 minutes, 14 seconds
actually reminds me of uh you know some things that I've read um over social media lately. You know how they um uh
32:23
32 minutes, 23 seconds
they always say, you know, like uh millennials and elder millennials and Gen X and so on and these different generation things. There's there was
32:32
32 minutes, 32 seconds
something that I saw that said um um these kids nowadays always um ask well
32:39
32 minutes, 39 seconds
not these kids they actually as young as maybe say in their 20ies and so on maybe even some 30 year olds you know like um
32:47
32 minutes, 47 seconds
okay no not 30y olds but but those in university using um Gemini and Chachip
32:55
32 minutes, 55 seconds
and so on to try and get the information to write their essays and Um, I saw this
33:03
33 minutes, 3 seconds
uh post that said like I think it was a Gen X or something that said we were busy writing um 10page essays in
33:11
33 minutes, 11 seconds
university with no um with no you know internet to help us with no uh Gemini and ask chat
33:20
33 minutes, 20 seconds
dbt and so on. We were citing from actual sources and this is so true because a lot of people you know like their first thing is oh that's AI oh you
33:29
33 minutes, 29 seconds
know whenever you write something oh that's AI or you got help from the internet and not many people realize not many young ones realize that maybe even
33:38
33 minutes, 38 seconds
older ones because people have become skeptical now realize that a lot of it is some of us actually have the knowledge alhamdulillah the brains
33:45
33 minutes, 45 seconds
alhamdulillah the creativity to write without you know um a full page
33:52
33 minutes, 52 seconds
um internet helped even article or post or something
34:00
34 minutes
because back then we really did have to read from books. Yes.
34:05
34 minutes, 5 seconds
Mostly books and then summarize you know a whole lot of uh books or chapters to be able to write like these fivepage
34:14
34 minutes, 14 seconds
essays and 10page essays. I mean in school we weren't allowed to use the the computer at all or the internet. sounds so old.
34:22
34 minutes, 22 seconds
No. Well, the thing is um you you talk about that and you know the I know in university now there's a lot of
34:30
34 minutes, 30 seconds
universities that actually you have to declare that you've used um AI you know
34:38
34 minutes, 38 seconds
you've got assistance from AI and when you upload your script um project or essay or whatever it is then they
34:46
34 minutes, 46 seconds
actually have a software that will check and say you know it's 20% % AI or it's 100% AI or that type.
34:53
34 minutes, 53 seconds
I actually heard about discrepancies and there were someone who where things were not really AI written but it came up as that it was AI and it really wasn't.
35:04
35 minutes, 4 seconds
Yeah. Well, you see like like I said, it's to do with the information that is already out there on the internet. So
35:12
35 minutes, 12 seconds
even if you think that's a it's an original idea if that information is already out there um it means that those
35:22
35 minutes, 22 seconds
AI machines have already learned that information and that's why it's very important in terms of like for example
35:29
35 minutes, 29 seconds
if you're writing a book don't put your ideas out or ask Gemini
35:35
35 minutes, 35 seconds
or Google or anybody you know certain things because that information has already been uploaded. Those questions already been asked.
35:45
35 minutes, 45 seconds
Sure.
35:46
35 minutes, 46 seconds
So, you have to be careful of what you say, what you ask, what you put on your phone, all those type of things, especially if you want to keep something a secret.
35:56
35 minutes, 56 seconds
Um, but also, you know, you were talking about um not only citing things, we had to go and physically interview people.
36:05
36 minutes, 5 seconds
you know, you couldn't ask um you know, for questions and answers cuz nowadays you can do that and just say, "Oh, I
36:12
36 minutes, 12 seconds
went to my nana's house and then I asked him." But you didn't really go to your nana's house. You sitting at home asking
36:21
36 minutes, 21 seconds
uh meta aai um what do old people do, you know, on a Sunday.
36:29
36 minutes, 29 seconds
I feel I Isa's laughing. So I think this is something actually that he would do.
36:36
36 minutes, 36 seconds
I was going to say is this something that kids do but I think yeah but um here are some of the core principles of Islamic teaching. Uh
36:45
36 minutes, 45 seconds
patience and kindness. Educators must lead through gentle correction rather than anger or insult. We did mention
36:51
36 minutes, 51 seconds
that ease over hardship. Lessons and religious obligations should be made accessible without overwhelming the
36:59
36 minutes, 59 seconds
student. Continuous reward. A teacher earns ongoing spiritual rewards for every person who acts upon the knowledge
37:07
37 minutes, 7 seconds
they pass down even after the teacher passes away.
37:11
37 minutes, 11 seconds
Subhan Allah. Yes. Um I actually this is definitely true you know imparting knowledge and using that knowledge even
37:20
37 minutes, 20 seconds
after you know the person who has taught you has passed away because I I am proof of that you know the um I can still remember my primary school Islamic
37:28
37 minutes, 28 seconds
studies teacher. I'm basically reading every dua that she's ever taught me. You know, you know, back then we we call
37:35
37 minutes, 35 seconds
them Apa. I don't know if we we still do actually call them the Islamic study teachers, we call them uppa. So yes, my upper alhamdulillah has uh from the time
37:45
37 minutes, 45 seconds
that I was in um grade the younger grades I can remember because you know I was taught
37:52
37 minutes, 52 seconds
you know she she she taught us the basic duas that you know we use every day you know from the time you wake up throughout your day eating um going to
38:01
38 minutes, 1 second
the toilet um going to sleep so on galas all of that you know you and the person who taught you how to read salah you
38:09
38 minutes, 9 seconds
remember all of that and you practice upon that as a practicing Muslim. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.
38:14
38 minutes, 14 seconds
Then you are giving that reward to the person who has taught you. So whether it be your teacher or your parents or so on.
38:22
38 minutes, 22 seconds
Yeah. Well, and they will continue to get that reward in the hereafter inshallah after they pass away. I mean, and you know,
38:29
38 minutes, 29 seconds
you mentioned that and I have aab that my apa gave to me that I still read, alhamdulillah, every day. And I think of
38:37
38 minutes, 37 seconds
my apa um I'm not sure where she is in the world. Um but you know, I I still think of her and I mean it's like more
38:46
38 minutes, 46 seconds
than 20 years ago that she gave me that kitab. Um and may Allah reward all the
38:54
38 minutes, 54 seconds
uppers, all the teachers um abundantly in this world and the year here after inshallah. Amen.
39:01
39 minutes, 1 second
So speaking about showing appreciation for teachers um is a thing about heartfelt messages
39:11
39 minutes, 11 seconds
where you can write a handwritten card that shares a specific memory or lesson
39:17
39 minutes, 17 seconds
from the school year. Have the whole class sign a big thank you poster or
39:24
39 minutes, 24 seconds
card. Send a positive email to the school principal or headmaster to praise the teacher by name.
39:34
39 minutes, 34 seconds
And then simple gifts. Give a gift card for a local coffee shop, bookstore.
39:42
39 minutes, 42 seconds
Uh bring a small plant or baked treat like cookies or a small cake. gather a
39:49
39 minutes, 49 seconds
basket of their favorite snacks or school supplies. Respectful actions.
39:54
39 minutes, 54 seconds
Respect their time by not demanding fast replies during evenings or weekends.
40:01
40 minutes, 1 second
Follow instructions the first time and show cooperative behavior in class. Say a sincere thank
40:11
40 minutes, 11 seconds
you and offer a polite greeting when class ends. I think I'd respect their
40:18
40 minutes, 18 seconds
time is also mostly for um the parents, you know, um who who demand fast replies during evenings or weekends, you know,
40:26
40 minutes, 26 seconds
like uh answer me now or I want I need to know this now and at 9:00 or 10:00 at night or um what do I need to do? I think that to be honest is from parents.
40:37
40 minutes, 37 seconds
So, no. Well, it is because I mean um you know everything is now so instant with instant messaging. As a tutor, I know
40:45
40 minutes, 45 seconds
that I have parents that will message me at 9:00 at night to tell me their kid is writing tomorrow morning or, you know,
40:53
40 minutes, 53 seconds
they as a concessions facilitator as well, you know, like you need they you need to be on 24hour standby
41:00
41 minutes
because they need a a lesson now at 4:00 in the morning because they're writing at 8:00 um or something like that. So,
41:08
41 minutes, 8 seconds
and that's not right. That is absolutely not right. And that is why we need boundaries.
41:15
41 minutes, 15 seconds
Yeah. But also um you know I I saw this message on you know we always talk about social media. I saw this message on
41:21
41 minutes, 21 seconds
social media where a teacher sent out a message and said on behalf of all teachers um you know we appreciate if
41:30
41 minutes, 30 seconds
you give us a um gift card at the end of the year. And then obviously the responses were some people um were for
41:39
41 minutes, 39 seconds
it and some people were against it. And mostly the people that were against it were the fact that this teacher is entitled um you know why should we give
41:49
41 minutes, 49 seconds
a gift we shouldn't give any gifts then um we give of what we can and you know um that is all true that is all true.
41:58
41 minutes, 58 seconds
No it is all true but at the at the same time uh this teacher was just saying this is what they would like and that's
42:06
42 minutes, 6 seconds
what they would appreciate. If you are giving a gift you don't have to give a gift. actually going to say that is all true
42:13
42 minutes, 13 seconds
but there are those who always want to know um what can I give my my child's teacher my children's teachers at the
42:21
42 minutes, 21 seconds
end of the year they want to give a gift so I suppose in this way this teacher is
42:28
42 minutes, 28 seconds
saying okay if you want to give a gift for me and for other teachers please can you get us a gift card you know um if
42:38
42 minutes, 38 seconds
you know them personally yes you could give them, you know, something that they they would need or want, you know, if you know them personally. But
42:45
42 minutes, 45 seconds
if a lot of people don't really know, you know, their children's teachers.
42:49
42 minutes, 49 seconds
No. Um, you know, there's not that connection. I mean, I'm talking about my teachers, and I not knew them
42:56
42 minutes, 56 seconds
personally, but I knew them enough to say, you know, they like chocolate or they liked, you know, a certain thing.
43:03
43 minutes, 3 seconds
Um, like like Issa mentioned their favorite snacks or school supplies. you know, if they like to have highlighters
43:10
43 minutes, 10 seconds
or folders or whatever, you know, different people like different things.
43:14
43 minutes, 14 seconds
You can't say that everybody likes a certain thing. But a gift card, even if it's not for a teacher, for anybody
43:21
43 minutes, 21 seconds
really, if you don't know exactly what they like, instead of buying them something that you wouldn't ordinarily
43:28
43 minutes, 28 seconds
buy for yourself or, you know, you wouldn't like to receive as a gift, um,
43:34
43 minutes, 34 seconds
get get a gift card because they can choose what what they want to get. Some people might find it as as a burden
43:42
43 minutes, 42 seconds
because, you know, there's so much choice and they don't know what to do with it. Um but you know maybe that's
43:49
43 minutes, 49 seconds
why we need to connect more with our our teachers on a personal level not on a um I need to know how well my child is
43:57
43 minutes, 57 seconds
doing in class. Why isn't my child doing well in class type of thing but yeah I think that's another discussion of a whole another day.
44:05
44 minutes, 5 seconds
We are we appreciating teachers tomorrow and yeah we wish and and at the same time we are saying
44:13
44 minutes, 13 seconds
that you know they should be entitled but I mean if you do want to show your appreciation and teachers you should really shouldn't be entitled. So um I
44:23
44 minutes, 23 seconds
mean I'm I'm not saying that you know like in a harsh way. I I mean that alhamdulillah you should be doing this for the sake and pleasure of you know
44:31
44 minutes, 31 seconds
teaching. That's why you got into the profession. But alhamdulillah if someone wants to gift uh teachers they can you
44:39
44 minutes, 39 seconds
know gift if they know them personally they can give them personal gifts if they want don't know them then gift cards I suppose and teachers should be
44:47
44 minutes, 47 seconds
appreciative of what they receive as as anyone should be appreciative of what they receive you know I did I think
44:56
44 minutes, 56 seconds
I did see something about that and it said you know waiters and waitresses should um you know be appreciative of the tip because they are already getting
45:04
45 minutes, 4 seconds
paid by their um by the person who employs them.
45:09
45 minutes, 9 seconds
So, you know, that's that's basically it's just saying, you know, here's a tip. Here's a gift for you.
45:15
45 minutes, 15 seconds
And then if you do want to know what I'd like as a gift, then Yeah.
45:20
45 minutes, 20 seconds
Yeah. And if you don't like the gift, then um there's always next year eat that you can regift it and give to somebody else.
45:29
45 minutes, 29 seconds
But yeah, it's just basically, you know, like just basic communication, basic skills, basic appreciating and not
45:37
45 minutes, 37 seconds
expecting and not like they mentioned, not entitlement, but also you know, doing things for the the for the love
45:44
45 minutes, 44 seconds
and the pleasure of Allah and you know, you know, teaching to be beneficial to others, inshallah. Amen.
45:52
45 minutes, 52 seconds
I think we can wrap up with that. Enjoy um teachers day. Enjoy your holidays if you guys are still on holiday. I think
46:00
46 minutes
they are. But uh yeah, enjoy your rest break inshin. And once again, if you'd like to join the conversation during the
46:07
46 minutes, 7 seconds
week, you can do so on our social media pages at iO.
46:12
46 minutes, 12 seconds
That's I L O V E Z A C O M. We are on Instagram, Facebook X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Tik Tok, Threads, and
46:21
46 minutes, 21 seconds
Upcrolled, and a WhatsApp channel. And you're welcome to read our articles on our website as well as listen, watch,
46:28
46 minutes, 28 seconds
and read the past episodes on our website iOza.com.
46:33
46 minutes, 33 seconds
And if you've missed any of the other Level Up episodes, or you'd like to just go back and listen to it, you are welcome to do so on the RadioIslam
46:41
46 minutes, 41 seconds
International Soundcloud. Jaz to our dear listeners for joining us on this lovely Sunday afternoon. Please join us
46:49
46 minutes, 49 seconds
every Sunday right here on Radio Islam International from 2 to 3:00 p.m.
46:53
46 minutes, 53 seconds
Inshallah. Amen. From myself, Nabi, from Isa, and from Zad, enjoy your Sunday, and we wish you a wonderful week ahead.
47:03
47 minutes, 3 seconds
Inshallah.
