What is Required in Order to Become a Teacher in Islam?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalaamu ‘alaykum
What does it take to be an Ustadh? I am interested in teaching Islamic classes one day inshallah.
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
Titles are irrelevant. What matters is ​gaining ​mastery over the material, taking it with complete understanding, and then passing it on as you received it​, with sincerity, humility, proper manners, and gratitude. ​
Knowledge is a light and sustenance granted by Allah​, and its primary purpose is to fix your relationship with your Creator.
​​The true scholar knows that the next life is better, weightier, and of far greater importance than this life. ​​The one who truly knows is the person who acts according to his knowledge.
Ghazali said, “the reality of deep understanding is what falls upon the heart, then manifests upon the tongue, which leads to action bequeathing awe (khashya) and Godfearingness (taqwa).”
As such, make Allah your point, begin with the knowledge which is personally obligatory (fard `ayn) upon you to know, and build from there, seeking counsel and guidance from living heirs of the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Allah does not look at your forms and wealth, rather He looks at your hearts and actions.” [Muslim]
Allah looks to hearts to see what is in them of certainty, genuineness, sincerity, and all praiseworthy traits.
And Ibn `Ata’illah al-Iskandari, one of the masters of the inward sciences, wrote, “Knowledge, if coupled with reverential awe, is for you; otherwise it is against you.” ​
Please see: Can I Become a Scholar By Studying With SeekersGuidance? and: Advice Regarding Being a Student of Knowledge and Taking Notes
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.