By Shaykh Anisul Haque
18 April 2025

﷽ 

In every generation, the youth have always been the heartbeat of change. They are the seekers of truth, the dreamers of better tomorrows, and often the ones courageous enough to act when others hesitate. And this is no less true in the history of Islam. In fact, when we look back at the earliest days of our Ummah, it’s clear that the youth weren’t just part of the story,  they were the engine driving it forward.

From the very beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ mission, it was young men and women who rose up to support the message of Islam. They faced hardship, risked everything, and gave themselves fully to a cause greater than their own comfort. Whether in the quiet moments of private worship or on the frontlines, propagating the message of Islam and defending the Muslim community, they were present, steadfast, and fearless.

In this week’s Friday sermon, I wanted to reflect on their lives, not just to praise their sacrifices, but to draw practical lessons from how the Prophet ﷺ mentored, trusted, and empowered them. Because today, in a world where so many young Muslims feel unseen or misunderstood, these stories aren’t just inspiration, they’re a blueprint. A reminder that our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are essential to shaping the fate of the Ummah now and in the future.

One powerful example that stands out is ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). During the height of persecution in Makkah, when the Quraysh leaders plotted to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ, he ﷺ was instructed by Jibril not to sleep in his home that night. Instead, the Prophet ﷺ asked ‘Ali (RA), a young man in his early twenties, to sleep in his place under his blanket. He ﷺ assured him: “Nothing you hate will come to you from them,” meaning: they will not harm you, they will not take your life.

This wasn’t just a moment of trust, it was a defining moment of sacrifice. Ali (RA) knew full well that assassins were waiting outside the house with weapons, and that being mistaken for the Prophet ﷺ could cost him his life. And yet, he didn’t hesitate for a second. His obedience wasn’t just a sign of loyalty,  it was proof of the fearlessness and conviction that young companions had when it came to protecting their faith and their Prophet ﷺ.

Another companion, Usamah ibn Zayd (RA), was just a teenager when the Prophet ﷺ appointed him as commander of an army, an army that included senior companions like Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA). When some questioned this, the Prophet ﷺ responded: “If you are criticising his leadership, then you have also criticised his father before him. And by Allah, he (Usamah) is worthy of leadership.” Usamah wasn’t just appointed; he was publicly defended and affirmed by the Prophet ﷺ, who called him one of the most beloved people to him.

Then there’s Mus‘ab ibn ‘Umayr (RA), the youth who gave up wealth, fame, and luxury for Islam. He was appointed as the first ambassador of Islam to Yathrib (later Madinah), and later carried the flag of the Muslims at the battle of Uhud. Despite severe wounds, he held onto the banner until he died. The companions couldn’t even find enough cloth to fully shroud him.

And who did the Prophet ﷺ entrust with writing the Qur’an as it was revealed? A teenager, Zayd ibn Thabit (RA). At around 13 years old, he became Katib al-Wahy, the scribe of revelation. Imagine the trust that takes; the Prophet ﷺ looked past age and saw potential.

He ﷺ saw the youth not as a burden, but as the builders of Islam.

Today, as our young brothers and sisters navigate a world filled with identity struggles, peer pressure, digital chaos, and uncertainty, I believe the stories of these companions can serve as both encouragement and a compass. And so, to every young Muslim reading this, and to every parent, teacher, or mentor, I want to share four key reflections from this sermon to help us move forward:

1. Strengthen Your Connection with Allah

The foundation of everything is your relationship with your Creator. Allah says:

Ibn al-Qayyim, the 14th-century scholar, beautifully said: “Whoever excels in worship at a young age, Allah grants him wisdom at old age.” No matter what dreams you have – university, career, family – centre them around Allah. That’s the only way they’ll bring lasting peace.

2. Choose Your Friends Wisely

Your friends shape your direction. The Prophet ﷺ said:

A man is upon the religion of his best friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.

And in another narration:

The example of a good companion and a bad one is like that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith…

Ask yourself: if today was your last day, who would you want standing in the front row of your janazah? That answer tells you who should be walking with you in life.

3. Use Your Skills for the Ummah

Alhamdulillah, our Ummah is full of bright, talented youth – doctors, designers, engineers, writers. But we must direct those gifts not just toward success for ourselves in this dunya, but in the service of the Ummah. Make the niyyah (intention) that your knowledge benefits the Ummah, and every step becomes a form of worship.

Not all contributions come from the minbar or the madrasah; some come from hospital rooms, classrooms, board meetings, and codebases, the digital tools and platforms that shape our world. Whatever your skill is, let it serve this Deen (religion).

4. Never Say “I Can’t”

One of the biggest roadblocks for our youth is the belief that “I’m not good enough.” But Allah never asked for perfection, only effort. Replace “I can’t” with “I’ll try.” And trust that even small steps matter.

The Prophet ﷺ nurtured youth not by demanding flawlessness, but by believing in their growth. You should believe in yours too.

To our youth: the world may not always see your worth, but your Deen does. Your Prophet ﷺ certainly did. You are not too young. You are not too small. You are exactly where Allah placed you, with gifts, talents, and potential that can transform this Ummah.

May Allah bless our youth, protect their hearts, strengthen their faith, and make them true torchbearers of this beautiful message.

Ameen.

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