It is an outline of Imam Sadeq's narrations regarding education and the ways of training in his traditions.
Imam Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣādiq (700–765), commonly known as Jaʿfar al-Sadiq or simply al-Sadiq (The Truthful), is the sixth Shia Imam. He was a descendant of Ali on the side of his father, Muhammad al-Baqir, and of Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr on the side of his mother, Umm Farwah bint al-Qasim. Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr was raised by Ali, but was not his son. [1]
When we study the narrations and sayings of the sixth infallible Imam (A), we find that Imam Sadiq (A) emphasizes on certain subjects, in his traditions, which must be taken into consideration while doing our religious duties. One of the most significant lessons, which all Muslims must take from this Imam, is the importance of upbringing and education of the children during the childhood. Imam Sadiq (A) says "Hasten to teach traditions (of Ahl al-Bayt) to your children before al-Murdji’a (the deviants) corrupt them" [2]
An important question with regard to the subject of education is that what is the best way, through which, we can educate our children or other people? Imam Sadiq (A) in one of his narrations says that "Call people to righteousness through means other than your tongues so that they may observe diligence, truthfulness and piety in your actions" [3] In this hadith Imam Sadiq tells us not to call others towards righteousness just by the tongue, rather, we must practice and fulfill our religious duties, through which, others become interested in doing their Islamic duties.
Imam Sadiq (A) emphasizes the importance of practice, into the education process, in one of his other narrations as well saying that "Glory of man belongs to deeds, his respect belongs to property, and his honor belongs to piety" [4] In this narration Imam (A) also focuses on the importance of deed and piety which means that no one can be considered as a true Muslim unless he or she fulfill his Islamic duties and responsibilities. According to these sayings of the Imam (A) we can teach others through our practices better than saying and ordering others to do righteousness.
Notes:
[1] Behar al-Anwar v47, p 5.
[2] al-Kafi v6, p 47. بادِرُوا أوْلادََكُم بِالْحَديثِ قَبْلَ أنْ يَسْبِقَكُمْ إلَيْهِمُ الْمُرْجِئَةُ
[3] Meshkaat al-Anwar: p 30. کُونُوا دُعاةَ النّاسِ إلَی الْخَیْرِ بِغَیْرِ ألْسِنَتِکُم، لِیَرَوا مِنْکُمُ الإجْتِهَادَ وَالصِّدْقَ وَالْوَرعَ
[4] Ma'aani al-Akhbar: p 405. الحَسَبُ الفِعالُ والشَّرَفُ المالُ والكَرَمُ التَّقْوَی