Islam and Youth

All praise is due to Allah. O Allah, we praise You, beseech You

for help, guidance and forgiveness. We seek refuge in You
from the evil in ourselves and the evil of our actions.
Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever Allah
let to be led astray none can guide. I testify that there is no
god but Allah, the only God without an associate. All praise is
due to Allah, Lord of all creation, to Whom belongs all that is
in the heavens and on earth. I also testify that our master
Muhammad, the servant and Messenger of Allah, is the
beloved of Allah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be
upon our master Muhammad, his noble family, his
companions and all those who follow them till the Day of
Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I urge myself first and all of you to fear and obey Allah,
Exalted be He in glory and might. Allah says in the Holy
Quran: O mankind! Be dutiful to your Guardian-Lord,
Who created you from a single person, and from
whom he created, of like nature, his mate, and from
them both created (like seeds) countless men and
women; and fear Allah, through Whom you demand
(your mutual rights), and do not cut the relations of
the wombs (that bore you): Surely, Allah is Ever an
All-Watcher over you.(4:1).
O believers,
Youth is the most vital stage of life, worthy to make the best
use of it and to strive toward excellence. Youngsters are full
of energy and vivid passions. Their road is paved with hope,
persistence and enlightened thinking. Indeed, it is the period
of beneficial production for generations to come. Muslim
youth must be aware of the essential importance and value
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of their life, direct it to the right way in order to achieve the

best outcome. It is a very sensitive period that requires
caring, reinforcement of good guidance to Allahs way and
good ethics. Remember, dear Muslims, that it is through faith
and good ethical values that Muslims rise in status in this
world and the Hereafter. Allah, Exalted be He, says:: They
were youths who believed in their Lord, and We
increased them in guidance.(18:13).
Islam takes very special care of the youth, and urges
youngsters to make the best use of this valuable period of
their life. Every Muslim shall be asked by Almighty Allah
about his/her life it in the Hereafter, but the period of youth
has a special reckoning of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) said:The son of Adam will not pass away from Allah
until he is asked about five things: how he lived his life, and
how he utilized his youth, with what means did he earn his
wealth, how did he spend his money, and what did he do
with his knowledge.
Islam emphasizes the merits of young people developing
knowledge and understanding of Allahs guidance, adhering
to His commands, and aspiring to be the best by performing
good acts. Young people have the physical and mental
abilities for being mindful of Allah in all aspects of life. As
human beings get older, they start losing the enthusiasm
and the power of their good old years.
O believers,
Islam has stressed the immense value of early religious and
ethical teachings, the closeness to Almighty Allah and the
fulfillment of His commands overtly and privately. Luqmans
advices to his son include ones relation to Almighty Allah:
O my son! Join not in worship (others) with
Allah.(31:13).

Dear brothers and sisters,

It is important to note that the Sunnah consolidates the
period of childhood which precedes that of youth in order to
guarantee the solidity of its basis. Thus, the importance of
regular prayer is emphasized from early childhood. The
prophet, may peace be upon him, said:Order your children
to pray at the age of seven.
Youngsters have strong physical drive and desire that must
be directed properly, to safeguard ones faith, and strive to
avoid committing immoral and unlawful acts. It is no wonder
that Islam emphasizes marriage so much. We are often
reminded that Muslim cannot have a relationship unless it is
within marriage, to protect the family institution or for
proliferation. Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him, said: O young men! Those
of you who can support a wife should marry, for it (marriage)
controls the gaze and preserves one from immorality. And
whoever cannot (marry) should fast; for it is a means of
reducing the sexual desire.
O Muslims,
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave young believers glad
tidings that Allah will bestow upon them His forgiveness in
the Hereafter. Our believed Prophet said:Seven (kinds of
people) will be sheltered under the shade of Allah on the Day
of Judgment (among them) a young man who passed his
youth in the worship and service of Allah.
Islamic history has a myriad of examples of great Muslim
youth who were luminaries of humanity. We remind you, dear
Muslims, of young believers who gathered around the
Prophet, peace be upon him, in the beginning of his call and
young people who carried the call. To name a few, Zaid bin
Thabet, may Allah be pleased with him, who collected the
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whole text of the Holy Quran, and Musad bin Umair, may
Allah be pleased with him, who was the first ambassador in
Islam. He was asked by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to go to
Madina to teach the Quran and through him and his
teachings the people of Madina converted to Islam.
The history of Islam was marked by the contributions of
eminent young Muslim scholars such as Ibn Abbas, may
Allah be pleased with him, who was considered the real
father of the science of interpretation of the Holy Quran.
Imam Abu Hanifa, Malek, Ashafi and Ahmad bin Hanbal were
young scholars and the fathers of the four schools of
jurisprudence. We implore Almighty Allah to forgive and have
mercy on all of them. May Allah bestow His blessings upon
all young Muslims and guide them to have a fruitful life for
the benefit of their people and their countries. May Allah
help us obey Him and those He has ordained us to obey.
Allah, Exalted be He,says: O you who believe! Obey
God, and obey the Messenger, and those (Muslims)
charged with authority.(4:59).

Second Sermon

O believers,
Youngsters nowadays have all the fundamental elements of
success and excellence. Schools, colleges, universities,
cultural and scientific centers strive to offer the best
education. Their physical needs are met through sport and
entertainment centers. Because education has become of
utmost importance, students are awarded educational and
training scholarships abroad to widen their perspective on
life, enhance their education and knowledge as well as their
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abilities and talents. Studying abroad also aim to gain

knowledge of the latest technologies in economy, industry,
agriculture, medicine, engineering ,sports and many other
fields. Outstanding students are honored, and offered the
best job opportunities to assume high positions. Financial
aids are given to them to own houses and create families. It
is the responsibility of young people today to take advantage
and fulfill their country and prudent leaderships dream, as
well as their parents who are eager to see the fruits of their
upbringing and care and be proud of their children as
successful adults with fulfilling lives.