Reforming Madāris with Compassionate Prophetic Pedagogy: Rejecting Harshness and Reviving Educational Excellence through the Seerah

Abstract

This paper re-evaluates the disciplinary culture of contemporary Islamic madāris in light of the Seerah (biography) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Historically, madāris were vital institutions for nurturing knowledge, spirituality, and ethical character in the Muslim world. However, in many regions today, they are often associated with harsh disciplinary methods, authoritarianism, and, in some instances, corporal punishment. These practices, often justified as “traditional,” are not only ethically problematic but also inconsistent with the prophetic model of education. The Seerah reveals a radically different paradigm—one rooted in rahmah (mercy), tarbiyyah (nurturing moral development), and ihsan (spiritual excellence). Drawing on Qur’anic verses, Prophetic traditions, classical works of Islamic pedagogy, and modern educational ethics, this article argues that any form of harshness, fear-based discipline, or physical punishment has no place in madāris committed to prophetic ethics. The paper proposes a reform framework based on compassionate structure, emotional mentorship, and ethical accountability—values that are at the heart of the Seerah.