Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) would explain some matters by drawing diagrams and shapes on the ground. This was also to help explain matters that were abstract and difficult to understand. Abdullah b. Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated:
“The Prophet (pbuh) drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and said,
“This is the human being, and this, (the square) in his lease of life that encircles him from all sides (or has encircled him), and this (line), which is outside (the square), is his hope, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which may befall him), and if one misses him, an-other will snap (i.e. overtake) him, and if the other misses him, a third will snap (i.e. overtake) him.” (Bukhari, Riqaq, 4)
Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) depicted human beings and their endless desires by drawing geometric shapes and explained how sometimes calamities and troubles came between someone and his desires. Thus, he encouraged his Companions and followers to be careful about worldly desires and to live always prepared for death.
Another example in this context is narrated by Ibn Abbas (r. anhuma).
“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) drew four lines on the ground and asked:
“Do you know why I drew these lines?” The Companions repilied:
“Allah and His Messenger know best.” Upon this, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:
“The most virtuous of the women in Paradise are Khadijah bint Huwaylid, Fatima bint Muhammad, Mariam bint Imran, and the Pharaoh’s wife Asiyah bint Muzahim.” (Ibn Hanbal, I, 293)
Our Prophet (pbuh) depicted the four virtuous women of Paradise with four lines that he drew on the ground.
Another example is seen in the Prophet’s description of the straight path. Jabir (r.a.) narrated:
“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) drew a line on the ground in front of him and said:
“This is the straight path of Allah the Almighty.” Then he drew two more lines on the right and left side of the first line and said:
“These are the paths of the Devil.” Then he placed his hands upon the middle line and recited the following verse:
وَأَنَّ هَـذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ذلِكُمْ وَصّيكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“Verily, this is my way, leading straight, follow it, follow not (other) paths, they will scatter you about from his (great) path.Thus He commands you, that you may be righteous.” (al-An’am 6; 153) (Ibn Hanbal, III, 397)
It is necessary to draw shapes and diagrams in some fields of science, such as mathematics, geometry, and physics. It is also beneficial to draw lines in other fields of science, just like the Prophet (pbuh) did. All means addressing human eyes and ears should be employed in education.