Angel Jibril came to teach you Islam; A Pedagogical lesson in The Socratic Method
The Socratic Method is defined by a shared dialogue where the educator leads through thought-provoking inquiry to stimulate critical thinking. A profound historical example of this occurs in the encounter between the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, witnessed by his companions. 1. Presence and Accessibility The Account: Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: "We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ one day when a man appeared with strikingly white clothes and deep black hair. There were no signs of travel on him, yet none of us recognized him. He sat down before the Prophet, resting his knees against the Prophet’s knees and placing his hands upon his thighs." Pedagogical Insight: An educator’s physical presence matters. By maintaining a clean, professional appearance and sitting in close proximity to the student, the teacher creates an environment of focus and mutual respect. Meeting students "at their level" fosters an atmosphere of accessibility and ...