Welcome to the Prophetic Legacy: Youths, Our Future Leaders

Written by: Ustaz Erwin Shah Effandy

Youths are the foundation of our society’s future, and the way we nurture and guide them today will determine the kind of future we build for tomorrow. One of the key roles upon us, as a society, is to develop and nurture them to become the leaders of tomorrow. They are a vital and hopeful part of society, with a significant responsibility to the future.

These young individuals possess an abundance of energy, passion, and zeal that, when guided correctly, can become a powerful force for positive change. Nurtured in the right environment, they are an important asset that can lead to remarkable contributions to society, the muslim ummah and the world at large. Stories from the Qur’an indicate that the younger generation carry qualities that the elders might not have, which is a zeal, sense of passion and high aspirations that might be absent for those of age. An example would be the Ashabul Kahfi, a group of young men, who sought refuge in a cave and fell asleep in the cave. Allah s.w.t mentions:

“Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.”[1]

The verse shows the unwavering belief possessed by the youths who were steadfast in their religion. They had the courage to escape and leave behind their society in order to preserve their faith, choosing exile over compromise. Their decision to seek refuge in the cave was not an act of fear, but a bold stand of their belief that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah s.w.t.

This spirit of courage and openness to the truth is not unique to that story alone. When we examine the course of history, we find that youths tend to be more receptive and open to change compared to the elders, who have long been embedded with the teachings and traditions of their forefathers. This is evident from the sirah of the Prophet s.a.w during the early stages of his da'wah in Makkah. Those who accepted Islam and supported the teachings of Allah s.w.t and His Prophet s.a.w were predominantly from among the youths. On the other hand, it was the elders such as Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, and other Quraysh leaders who opposed the Messenger s.a.w in his message. That is why the Prophet s.a.w trusted the youths and would give massive responsibilities to them, tasks that some elders were not able to do.

Youths during the time of the Prophet s.a.w

The young companions played an important and vital role in the propagation of Islam during the time of the Prophet s.a.w and he recognised their potential and talents. Among them was his young cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib, who embraced Islam at just ten years old. His early devotion and strong foundation in islam shaped him into one of the most prominent figures in Islamic history, eventually becoming the fourth caliph (Khalifah) and a key leader in the expansion of Islam. He was also among those whom the Prophet s.a.w personally promised Paradise.

Also among the ten companions guaranteed Paradise were Talhah ibn Ubaidillah and Zubair ibn al-Awwam, both of whom embraced Islam at the young age of eighteen. Their youth was marked by courage and loyalty. Talhah displayed extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Uhud, shielding the Prophet s.a.w with his own body, sustaining over seventy wounds in the process. Meanwhile, Zubair ibn al-Awwam earned the title of "the Disciple (Hawaariy) of the Prophet s.a.w" because of his unmatched loyalty and his readiness to defend the Prophet s.a.w at any cost.

Another remarkable example of youthful contribution is Aisha r.a, the beloved wife of the Prophet s.a.w, who became known as Ummul Mu’minin (Mother of the Believers). From a young age, Aisha r.a was nurtured in an environment of strong faith and knowledge, being raised by her father, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, and then later guided closely by her husband, the Prophet s.a.w. Her early exposure to the teachings of Islam shaped her into one of the greatest scholars of the Ummah. She also narrated over 2,000 hadiths, providing the Muslim community with valuable insights into the life and teachings of the Prophet s.a.w.

This same pattern of youth development is seen in the lives of our great scholars. If we look at their biographies, we will find that it was during their youth that they began laying the foundation of their religious journey. Imam As-Syafie, for example, memorised the Qur’an at the young age of seven and later memorised the Muwatta’ of Imam Malik by the age of ten. This strong foundation became the groundwork that nurtured him into becoming a promising scholar.

These examples show how their youthful strength, sincerity, and early commitment to the truth paved the way for them to become legends of Islam, leaving behind a legacy of faith, sacrifice, and leadership that continues to inspire us throughout generations. Imagine what our youth could achieve, if only they were trusted and trained with vision

Youths Who Preserved the Prophet’s Words

Even in the preservation of the Prophet’s hadiths and teachings, the role of the younger companions was pivotal. Much of the hadith that has reached us today is due to their dedication and efforts during their youthful years in the time of the Prophet s.a.w. Amongst them were Abu Hurairah, Abdullah ibn Umar, Anas bin Malik, Aisha, and Abdullah ibn Abbas also known collectively as Al-Muksirun fi Riwayatil Hadith    (المكثرون في رواية الحديث)   for their extensive narration of hadith.

It was in their youthful years that they closely interacted with the Prophet s.a.w, attentively memorising his words and actions. Their early engagement with Him laid the foundation for the vast transmission of hadith that benefits us to this day. This highlights the immense value of nurturing and guiding youth during their prime, as it can lead to lasting contributions for future generations.

The Importance of this Young Age

Making the most of this precious phase of our lives is strongly emphasised by the Prophet s.a.w. He valued and praised them countlessly and mentioned them in several hadiths. In one of them, he mentioned that among the key questions every person will be asked on the Day of Judgment is how they spent their time and followed up by specifically highlighting their youth and how it was used. This emphasis is clearly shown in a powerful hadith where the Prophet s.a.w outlines five critical questions each person will face:

“The feet of the son of Adam shall not move from before his Lord on the Day of Judgement, until he is asked about five things: About his life and what he did with it, about his youth and what he wore it out in, about his wealth and how he earned it, and spent it upon, and what he did with what he knew.”[2]

This highlights that our youthful years are not just a time of energy and freedom but a period entrusted with responsibility and accountability. It is during this period that we are gifted with strength, passion, and potential which can either be used to draw closer to Allah s.w.t or wasted in heedlessness. Islam encourages us to take advantage of this golden phase by pursuing knowledge, serving others, developing good character, and striving in obedience to Allah s.w.t before the inevitable decline of old age.

It is natural and within our fitrah to make mistakes in this phase of our lives, but what is most important is how we learn, grow and improve ourselves from it. This is also supported by another hadith by the Prophet s.a.w where a young man who is brought up in the worship of his lord will be shaded by Him by on the day of resurrection:

The Prophet s.a.w said, "Seven (people) will be shaded by Allah by His Shade on the Day of Resurrection when there will be no shade except His Shade. (They will be), a just ruler, a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah..”

A Generation Worth Investing In

Young people are our legacy and the future bearers of society. It's our responsibility to welcome them, support their growth, and create spaces where they can learn and thrive. This stage of their lives is critical for development, shaping how they will eventually contribute to the greater good. Whenever Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri saw young men, he would share inspiring words that uplifted and motivated them as mentioned by Imam Al-Bayhaqi:

 Abu Sa’id al-Khudri would say whenever he saw young men:

“Welcome, O one whom the Prophet s.a.w entrusted us with. He instructed us to make space for you in the gatherings and to teach you Hadith, for you are our successors and the people of Hadith after us.”[3]

This shows that the companions were encouraging in pulling youths in gatherings of knowledge so that they would feel welcome and inspired. They made deliberate efforts to include them in gatherings of knowledge, ensuring they felt valued, respected, and welcomed. This welcoming approach helped build confidence and a sense of belonging in the hearts of the youth, motivating them to seek knowledge, ask questions, and grow in understanding.

In an age where many are absorbed in their gadgets, smartphones and digital distractions, it is crucial to find creative and engaging approaches to draw them into the mosque environment. By providing a welcoming and spiritually enriching space, mosques can offer youth a chance to grow both socially and spiritually.

Reaching Young Souls with Compassion

Beyond creating space for them in our institutions, we must also understand the emotional and developmental needs of youths. They are often full of emotions and are still on the journey of discovering themselves and learning how to express their feelings. Because of this, it is crucial to interact with them using wisdom and a respectful approach that acknowledges their growing sense of maturity. If we speak to them harshly or belittle them as if they were still small children, it is unlikely they will listen or even worse, may even rebel. Instead, we should address them with hikmah (wisdom) and gentleness. This way of approaching them is taught by our Prophet s.a.w:

On the authority of Abu Abbas Abdullah bin Abbas r.a who said: One day I was behind the Prophet s.a.w [riding on the same mount] and he said, “O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you…”[4]

The Prophet s.a.w used the word "ghulam" when addressing Ibn Abbas r.a., which literally translates to “young boy”. In Arabic, while "ghulam" refers to someone young in age, it is not a belittling or disrespectful term. In fact, it carries a tone of affection, gentleness, and care. This way of addressing the young shows us the beautiful balance and etiquette of the Prophet s.a.w where he showed respect to the youth while still guiding them in a way that matched their level of maturity and understanding.

Protecting Our Youthful Years

In this stage of life, when curiosity is at its peak and the desire to explore the world around us is strong, it’s essential to remain mindful of the choices we make. Our future is bright, full of potential and opportunity, but it is in our hands to protect it by steering clear of what can lead us astray. Islam offers us clear guidance to help us stay on the right path, towards what is truly beneficial for us.

One of the biggest challenges for today’s youth is the influence of harmful things, especially the rise of pornography, which can distort young minds and distract them. These distractions make it harder to focus on our true goals and values. Decades of research show that pornography has harmful effects on the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of adolescents. During this critical time of development, young people experience significant social, cognitive, biological, and psychological changes.

Pornography alters the brain, no matter the age of the viewer. It stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows us to feel pleasure. When engaging with pornography, the brain is overwhelmed with unnaturally high dopamine levels. This can alter the brain’s reward circuitry and impact its natural ability to produce that feel-good neurotransmitter. This can negatively impact mood and personality, contributing to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety.[5]

However, Islam provides clear advice to help keep our hearts and minds pure. The Prophet s.a.w gave guidance on modesty and self-control, especially for young people. His advice to lower the gaze and protect our chastity is not just a rule, but a protection that helps us stay firm upon the religion and avoid what is haram and harmful, which could have huge ramifications on our future. He advised the youth as follows:

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud r.a said: "We were with the Prophet as young men who had nothing (no means to marry). So the Prophet s.a.w said to us: 'O young men, whoever among you is able to marry, let him marry, for it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty. And whoever is not able, then he should fast, for it will be a protection for him.'"[6]

This advice remains deeply relevant today. If marriage is possible, it is the best way to maintain purity and focus. If not, fasting serves as a powerful tool to discipline the soul and resist temptations. By following these teachings, we can navigate modern challenges while staying true to our faith and values.

Having understood both the challenges the youths face and the Prophetic wisdom in addressing them, it becomes our duty to take practical steps forward. These young aspiring minds are our amanah and it is upon us to guide them. Let us be the generation that opens our hearts, our mosques, and our time to the youth by entrusting them, guiding them through growth and mistakes, and empowering them to lead. What we invest in them today will shape the leaders of our tomorrow.

الله أعلم

[1] Al-Kahf 13

[2] Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2416 (Daif)

[3] Al-Jaami’ Syuab Al-Iman (3/250)

[4] Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2516

[5] Adolescents, Porn, and Mental Health: Understanding the Dangerous Effects of Porn on Developing Minds. https://culturereframed.org/adolescents-porn-and-mental-health-understanding-the-dangerous-effects-of-porn-on-developing-minds/

[6] Sahih al-Bukhari 5066