وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ مُعَلِّمًا
“I was sent as a teacher.”
إِنَّمَا adds emphasis and focus. بُعِثْتُ is a passive past verb meaning “I was sent.” مُعَلِّمًا is an active participle meaning “teacher,” expressing the role in which he was sent.
Teaching involves more than repeating words: it explains meanings, answers questions, corrects misunderstandings and demonstrates appropriate practice. A teacher should therefore be accurate, clear, considerate and attentive to the learner's understanding.
This emphasis on teaching does not deny the Prophet's other religious responsibilities; it highlights a central aspect of his mission.