Youth in Islam

The book of Allah SWT is a book of guidance. It is not merely a book for someone for a particular stage in their life but in actual fact, lessons and guidance for anyone at any stage of their lives.

Today’s topic is on Youth and there are numerous lessons to be derived from the book of Allah SWT. One of the main lessons can be derived from the Sura we all endeavour to read on Fridays and from that sura the imam mentioned ayat 13 which is translated to say:

We relate to you ˹O Prophet˺ their story in truth. They were youths who truly believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.

Dear brothers, there are many lessons to be taken from just this ayat alone but we will try and outline some in today’s reminder. Alongside this ayat, the imam also mentioned of a hadith of the Prophet SAWS in which he said:

There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.

Dear brothers, from this we hear of the youth who grew up in the worship of Allah SWT being one of these chosen seven. We pray that we fall into the shade on the Day insh’Allah but for today’s reminder, how to we encourage our youth in a time when it is increasingly difficult.

This reminder concludes with 3 points to ponder and reflect so that we may be able to benefit practically from todays reminder.

  1. Do not apply the experiences of yourself growing up to the youth of today. Dear brothers, you need to adapt your lessons, teaching methods and relationship to the time and place you are raising your children. We are not in Kurdistan or Pakistan, nor are we in a time where it was easy to make distinction between the practices of Muslims and non-Muslims. We are living in a time and place where the lines between right and wrong are blurred even for us so imagine how confusing it is to the youth. Therefore take this into account when raising them.
  2. The youth are very good at recognizing hypocrisy -even if they don’t call you out on it. What this means, dear brothers is, you need to practice what you preach. The madrassahs may be closed but are you spending time with them daily listening to them recite Quran? Are you spending time with them daily giving commentary on Quran? You don’t need to be a scholar to do this. The internet has resources on this in abundance, spend time as a family watching a commentary on a Sura and discuss as a family. Remember, the best lessons for them will come from seeing their elders do the same.
  3. Encourage love for their deen first. Encourage love for Allah SWT first. Encourage love for the Prophet SAWS first. The time to talk about what is allowed and what is not is a discussion which comes after the love for their faith is instilled into their hearts. Use the lessons of the Quran to illustrate the love Allah SWT has for us. Use the lessons from the life of the Prophet SAWS to illustrate the love he had for us. It will make them want to be better Muslims, not because it’s something they should do, but actually from wanting to reciprocate that love back to Allah SWT.

Dear brothers, this past year has rendered the world on a pause. For many it’s a testing time, but we can also make it a time of blessing in which we connect with our youth and have them connect with their religion. Let’s use some of todays reminder in helping us achieve that.

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7 Types of People receiving shade on Day of Resurrection

This week’s khutbah is on a hadith of the Prophet SAWS in which 7 types of people are described as receiving shade from Allah SWT on the Day of Resurrection.

 

The hadith in question is translated to have said:

 

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful”.

Dear brothers and sisters, the remainder of this khutba will break down the explanation of the 7 types of people mentioned in this hadith and alongside it, will aim to provide a practical example that we can all implement so that we are of these people insh’Allah.

 

  1. A Just ruler, is one who looks after the interests of the Muslims, including Judges and ministers, etc, and to rule with fairness. For us, this can be applied in our everyday lives in business or studies, as a parent, as a middleman between friends that disagree or any situation where the ruling or judgement offered is logical and impartial and unbiased towards anyone.

 

  1. A youth who grew up with the worship of Allah – Allah SWT has mentioned youth specifically here, since the difficulties our youth face from desires and temptations are huge, and therefore resisting this and staying on the right path has extra rewards compared to those who are much older. A practical example here is to utilize the time you have as a youth for things you will find harder to do in later live. For example learn Quranic Arabic as a course here is starting later on this month.

 

  1. That in turn brings us to number 3 which is those whose heart is attached to the mosque. Whether it be coming here regularly to pray, make it an aim to increase either by another congregational prayer or aim to help the house of Allah SWT either by providing a service to it or through regularly funding its upkeep.

 

  1. This talks of the unity that we are blessed with in the Muslim community. And this is practically illustrated in this hadith by informing us of the importance of mercy towards one another. We live in a time where family ties are strained and social media is the new family. Fight that urge and show compassion to one another for the sake of Allah SWT.

 

  1. Fifth describes a man who is tempted by the woman but chooses Allah SWT over illicit relations with her. Dear brothers and sisters, this is, unfortunately, a sign of our times. It’s almost the case that this example was written for this time in history. Never before has it become so socially acceptable to engage in such actions. However, Allah SWT is merciful and Allah SWT is fair. Guard your chastity and your senses in these times and Allah SWT is the most rewarding as this test is one of the most potent of our times. Practically this is achieved through rememberance of Him, through fasting for Him and through engaging in Halal relationships as soon as practically possible to do so.

 

  1. Next is a man who gave in charity and in this Hadith it is showing the importance of giving without making a fuss or advertising it or embarrassing those who charity is given to. A great practice by which we can do this is through a monthly direct debit of an amount equalling 2% of our monthly income for example. How often do we check our bank balance to see the details of each and every transaction? Such a small amount will go unnoticed after a few months and yet will be counted for you on the day of resurrection as stated. And as we know, charity never causes poverty and so there is no excuse for not implementing this strategy today. Our very own masjid is an example of a charity that could do with a monthly donation.

 

  1. And lastly, remembering Allah SWT in places where the person knows no one will be there, and secretly between only him and Allah, can show the true intentions and away from showing off. A practical example of this is waking up fifteen minutes before the start of Fajr. Prepare for this prayer by praying 2 units of Tahajjud prayer. This is away from the family and even others in the masjid and at a time when the majority are asleep. This is also the best time to ask of Allah SWT so make it a benefit in this life and the next through this practical example.

 

Dear brothers and sisters, through this one hadith there are examples that each and every one of us can implement into our lives today. If the hadith states that Allah SWT will shade us on the day if we follow one of the seven then surely it also means that we will be in favour with Him insh’Allah. Therefore there can be no other more pressing thought in the minds of each and every one of us to see which one of the seven we can implement as soon as possible so that we are of the people that are referred to in this hadith.

 

May Allah SWT enable us to remember the 7 traits in this hadith. May Allah SWT enable us to implement the traits in this hadith and may Allah SWT reward us in our efforts in implementing the traits in this hadith.

 

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Youth in the Masjid

Allah SWT has blessed this community with a base that is a welcome haven for all. This masjid, like

masjids all throughout the world are the houses of Allah SWT but benefit us all in different ways.

For some, this is a place of worship alone. They visit to carry out their congregational prayers. For

others, it is a place of knowledge, somewhere to learn more on Islam. For some it is a place to meet

like-minded people, to socialise and to build community bonds.

Dear brothers and sisters, we need to understand that this place is a blessing for us all and full of

potential to be great for the whole community – muslim and non-muslim alike.

And with any base such as this, we need the energy and the strength of the youth as well as the

experience and the wisdom of the elders. As with all things in Islam, it is about finding the balance

and this is no exception.

Naturally when it comes to interaction, there is a big difference between the two groups in terms of

their thinking and therefore there is a potential for conflict.

Allah SWT has therefore laid down some rules to avoid this and we should aim to adhere to these

rules so that we can best work together in a productive way.

One such advice is found through the 41st to 49th Ayats of Sura Maryum in the Quran. It is translated

to have said:

Mention too, in the Quran, the story of Abraham. He was a man of truth, a prophet. He said

to his father, ‘Father, why do you worship something that can neither hear nor see nor

benefit you in any way? Father, knowledge that has not reached you has come to me, so

follow me: I will guide you to an even path. Father, do not worship Satan— Satan has

rebelled against the Lord of Mercy. Father, I fear that a punishment from the Lord of Mercy

may afflict you and that you may become Satan’s companion [in Hell].'”

His father answered, ‘Abraham, do you reject my gods? I will stone you if you do not stop

this. Keep out of my way!’ Abraham said, ‘Peace be with you: I will beg my Lord to forgive

you— He is always gracious to me—but for now I will leave you, and the idols you all pray to,

and I will pray to my Lord and trust that my prayer will not be in vain.’

Dear brothers and sisters, if you analyse, you will see the etiquette and manners by which the

Prophet of Abraham addressed his father. Despite him being an idol-worshipper, there was love and

respect shown at all times.

We can dedicate hours just to this passage and still not get the full benefit of the wisdom in this

passage but for the purposes of this khutba, it demonstrates the level of decorum we must show to

our elders. We must in essence glorify them at all times. This is the position the elders hold in Islam.

But to do this we need the youth to attend the masjid. And this is the ultimate challenge.

And so this khutba ends with 5 practical steps we can all do to achieve this.

1. Understand their world. For example, most youth now have a smart phone. Are we telling

them that this masjid has its own app? An app with times of prayer, both start and

congregational, an app that allows it to send questions and request for advice straight to the

masjid? One that shows not only this masjid but all participating masjids in the country?

For those who aren’t aware it’s called My Mosque and it is on the Play and App store. We

also have Facebook and Twitter account. And even a website. We will put details up soon

insh’Allah on the notice boards and walls but it is already there to connect with the youth.

2. Tell them of our classes. This isn’t just a place to pray. We can learn here too. There are

classes run throughout the week and we welcome ideas for more classes. Again, use the

forums mentioned earlier to get the ideas across.

3. Youth have an overwhelming desire to change the world for the better. The energy is there.

Why not connect that with the more senior brothers who are already making this happen?

We have links now with projects that involve feeding the needy, such as the food collection

box at the back. We also are involved in projects feeding the homeless, donating blood,

visiting the sick, visiting the elderly, spreading the word of Islam and many more. All with

local people making a difference. Again, connect with the masjid and you can get all that

information and make that impact in the community.

4. Have a say in how your masjid is run. Whether it is an idea for a future khutba or whether

it’s an idea for some way this masjid can help you and the community, come to the masjid

with it and make it happen. It all starts with the idea and the energy to do it. We even have

social events here where everyone is invited, so attend those to connect with the masjid.

5. Involve the Muslim women. This is particularly important and can’t be overstated. We need

to establish a position for our sisters to have a say in how our masjids are run. Again, it all

starts with participation and involvement so contact us to get started.

Dear brothers and sisters, let’s make this masjid a community hub that attracts experience and

youth alike. We can only do that if we all make an effort to make it happen.

May Allah SWT bring the youth to the masjid. May Allah SWT make this masjid a central base for our

community and may Allah SWT rewards us all for our efforts in making this happen.

Ameen wa Alhamdullilahi Rabil-alameen.

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