When Teachers Become Predators: The Sacred Spaces Where Children Are Betrayed

Pakistan may perhaps be the only country in the world where students in both academic institutions and religious seminaries are exploited in every possible way, and where teachers, who are considered heirs of the Prophets, turn into wolves.

Our religious madrasas have always been regarded as centers of spiritual and religious learning and moral upbringing. The graduates of these institutions have long been serving the mission of spreading Islam across the world.

But the unfortunate truth is that, with time, the sanctity of these sacred institutions is being trampled by such wolves who have turned knowledge and religion into tools for commerce, dominance, and lust.

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Often on social media or on some news channel, teachers and Quran reciters in educational institutions, madrasas, mosques, even sitting in the drawing rooms of homes, are seen sexually exploiting children.

Recently in Chaliyar , a madrasa teacher beat a child so severely that he died. After continuously beating him for five hours, the child was not even allowed a sip of water.

In Haripur, a blind five-year-old child was sexually assaulted by his Qari in the very room where he was learning the Quran. In another school, a thirteen-year-old boy was beaten to death by his teacher who smashed his skull.
These incidents are not merely crimes; they are a blot on humanity and a source of disgrace for the religion of Islam. The fundamental message of the Quran is love, compassion, and justice. The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, *“I was sent as a teacher.”

The real duty of a teacher is to teach, to nurture, and to build character. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never raised his hand against any child. Anas (RA) says: *“I stayed with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم for ten years; he never hit me, never scolded me, never said a harsh word to me.”* Allah commands us to be gentle, otherwise, people will turn away from us.
So why have today's teachers, Qaris, and instructors, those who invoke the Prophet's name while teaching children, turned so venomous? Why do their hands leave wounds on children's bodies, and why do their savage acts leave scars on young souls?
The most painful aspect of this all is that madrasa students are made to believe by their teachers that such obscene behavior and violent beatings are part of the learning process, and that it is the children's duty to please the teachers through submission.

Worse still, if a child complains to their parents, the parents, instead of protecting the child, blame them, assuming they're making excuses to avoid studying. In the Chaliyar case, the child was so terrified that he refused to return to the madrasa, but his uncle forcibly dropped him back.
Many such cases go unreported because it has been deeply drilled into the minds of parents that memorization or study isn't possible without violence. Even if a child loses his life, the parents do not file a complaint against the teacher. Sometimes, the madrasa's influence, the parents' fear or helplessness, the child's shame and trauma, or the fear of social stigma prevents justice from being served.
Such silence only empowers the crime. These predators know that no action will be taken against them, so they grow even more fearless in their brutality against children. If only one such criminal were given public punishment in accordance with Islamic law, others with criminal minds would never dare to commit such acts again.
Islam gives a clear and unambiguous concept of children's dignity, protection, and rights. A person who inflicts harm on innocent children is not just a criminal but deserves punishment under Islamic Hudood laws.

The punishment for proven sexual misconduct or rape, according to the Quran, is:“The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes.” (Surah An-Nur, Ayah 2)
If the victim is a minor, weak, or blind child, then the intensity of the crime and the punishment must both increase. The majority of scholars agree that if sexual abuse is accompanied by violence or murder, the perpetrator can be given the death penalty under Islamic law. Such punishment is not only a requirement of justice but also serves as a deterrent for society at large.
The real question is whether these educational institutions and madrasas are fulfilling the purpose for which they were established, or have they turned into breeding grounds for violent abusers, sexual predators, and murderers? Safeguarding the sanctity of madrasas is the responsibility of the entire nation. These institutions should not only be registered but also strictly monitored. Laws should be enacted for the protection of children.

Teachers must undergo background screening, psychological assessments, academic testing, and ethical training. Mere knowledge of Tajweed or memorization should not be enough to qualify someone as a Qari or madrasa teacher. Psychological and moral standards must be made mandatory.
A child helpline should be established, as well as a platform where children and parents can lodge complaints without fear. It is the responsibility of parents not to blindly trust any institution just because it is religious. Listen to your children.

If they refuse to attend madrasa or Qari sessions, do not force them. Find out why. Believe them, and try to understand their state of mind. Protecting children is not just physical, their emotional, spiritual, and mental protection is also our duty.

Islam is not the religion of oppression, it is the religion of the Most Merciful. May Allah protect our children from every devilish predator, make our educational institutions centers of peace, character, and love, and grant us the courage to speak, fight, and uphold justice.

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