Honorable Muslims!
Youth is one of the most valued gifts of Allah the Almighty (swt) to human. Between childhood and old age, youth is the most productive time of a person's life, during which they display the greatest strength.
Youth have endless dreams and boundless vitality. Their body, spirit, sense of self, and ideas are always in flux. They question all there is to know about life. They question themselves as well. Because they are in need of finding a meaning in life. Because of this, they criticize, argue, resist, and refuse to be limited.
Dear Believers!
Our best guide in understanding young people and preparing them for the future is the Messenger of Allah (saw). Young people always had a particular place in his life. Our beloved Prophet (saw) would spare time for young people, listen to them, and value their ideas. His dialogue with them was sincere, and he trusted them. In this regard, he (saw) dispatched Mus'ab ibn Umayr (ra) to Madinah in the spring of his life, even before himself, as a teacher and inviter. During the Hijrah, he (saw) handed the possessions entrusted to him to a young companion, Ali (ra), so that he would return them to their owners. He (saw) appointed several other young companions to key positions, including Mu'adh ibn Jabal as qadi (judge) in Yemen and Usama ibn Zayd as army commander.
Dear Muslims!
In terms of self-development, young people prefer that their elders support them rather than oppose them. They appreciate being guided in how to use their strength and potential for good. They want for their thoughts to be recognized and for themselves to be trusted. When they get lost, they expect to be helped, and when they make a mistake, they want a chance to fix it.
Dear Mothers and Fathers!
Let us set an example for our children and support them on the path of servitude to our Lord (swt). Let us not give anyone a chance to drag them into sins and use them for their evil purposes. Let us always have faith in our children. Let us make them feel valued and trusted. Our youth, like the Prophet Ibrahim (as), will continue to stand steadfast against falsehood as long as we trust in them. They will set an example for humanity with their decency, like the Prophet Yusuf (as). They will continue embracing gratitude, patience, chastity, and trust in Allah (swt), like Maryam (as). And in the end they will be among the young people heralded with protection in the shade of the throne of Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgment by attaining joy and peace through worshiping their Lord (swt).[1]
Dear Young Brother and Sister!
Let us not forget that youth is given to us in trust. Let us pay attention to where and how we spend our youth. Let us review our life from now in preparation for the Day of Judgment, when no remorse will be of any use. Let us live the best stage of our life in accordance with our Lord's (swt) approval.
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with Allah the Almighty's (swt) praise for the Ashab al-Kahf, who had unshakable faith in Him (swt), "They were youths who truly believed in their Lord. And We increased them in guidance."[2]
[1] Bukhari, Adhan, 36.
[2] Kahf, 18/13.
General Directorate of Religious Services
Youth is one of the most valued gifts of Allah the Almighty (swt) to human. Between childhood and old age, youth is the most productive time of a person's life, during which they display the greatest strength.
Youth have endless dreams and boundless vitality. Their body, spirit, sense of self, and ideas are always in flux. They question all there is to know about life. They question themselves as well. Because they are in need of finding a meaning in life. Because of this, they criticize, argue, resist, and refuse to be limited.
Dear Believers!
Our best guide in understanding young people and preparing them for the future is the Messenger of Allah (saw). Young people always had a particular place in his life. Our beloved Prophet (saw) would spare time for young people, listen to them, and value their ideas. His dialogue with them was sincere, and he trusted them. In this regard, he (saw) dispatched Mus'ab ibn Umayr (ra) to Madinah in the spring of his life, even before himself, as a teacher and inviter. During the Hijrah, he (saw) handed the possessions entrusted to him to a young companion, Ali (ra), so that he would return them to their owners. He (saw) appointed several other young companions to key positions, including Mu'adh ibn Jabal as qadi (judge) in Yemen and Usama ibn Zayd as army commander.
Dear Muslims!
In terms of self-development, young people prefer that their elders support them rather than oppose them. They appreciate being guided in how to use their strength and potential for good. They want for their thoughts to be recognized and for themselves to be trusted. When they get lost, they expect to be helped, and when they make a mistake, they want a chance to fix it.
Dear Mothers and Fathers!
Let us set an example for our children and support them on the path of servitude to our Lord (swt). Let us not give anyone a chance to drag them into sins and use them for their evil purposes. Let us always have faith in our children. Let us make them feel valued and trusted. Our youth, like the Prophet Ibrahim (as), will continue to stand steadfast against falsehood as long as we trust in them. They will set an example for humanity with their decency, like the Prophet Yusuf (as). They will continue embracing gratitude, patience, chastity, and trust in Allah (swt), like Maryam (as). And in the end they will be among the young people heralded with protection in the shade of the throne of Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgment by attaining joy and peace through worshiping their Lord (swt).[1]
Dear Young Brother and Sister!
Let us not forget that youth is given to us in trust. Let us pay attention to where and how we spend our youth. Let us review our life from now in preparation for the Day of Judgment, when no remorse will be of any use. Let us live the best stage of our life in accordance with our Lord's (swt) approval.
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with Allah the Almighty's (swt) praise for the Ashab al-Kahf, who had unshakable faith in Him (swt), "They were youths who truly believed in their Lord. And We increased them in guidance."[2]
[1] Bukhari, Adhan, 36.
[2] Kahf, 18/13.
General Directorate of Religious Services