Muslim Youth - Gang Leaders or World Leaders?

September 14, 2002 - www.1924.org



"You are the best of the nation raised up for mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong [TMQ Ale-Imran: 110]

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) tells us in this verse of the Qur'an that we are the best nation raised up from mankind. When many people look to the reality of the Muslims today and in particular the reality of the Muslim youth in the West, they think to themselves, 'how can these people be the best people raised from mankind?' When they see the Muslim youth involved in gang culture and drug culture, they can't see the difference between them and the non-Muslim youth in society.

We need to look to how the Muslim youth in the past used to be leaders, not followers of the Kuffar as some of the youth have become today and understand how the Muslim youth have the potential to be the leaders of mankind again.

Some of the Muslim youth today have lost touch with their roots. They have lost touch with Islam and the Islamic history. Unfortunately they know more about Western personalities, and take them as role models to follow, than they know about the greatest people in history, the Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and our other great predecessors.

Various groupings or 'crowds' exist amongst the youth today. There are those who emulate hip-hop stars and are 'wanna be gangsters', walking around with pride, using foul language, thinking its cool to take drugs and be involved in crime. Others are into the clubbing scene and act like wild animals as if they are not going to be accounted for what they do. Boyfriend-girlfriend relationships have become the norm where it is seen as odd if one is not 'going out' with the opposite sex or at least attempting to. Time wasting has become the favourite pursuit where music, computer games, movies and 'chilling' have become the normal pastimes. Rebelliousness to parents has reached new levels, where children are almost strangers to their own parents and feel more comfortable with their friends than with their own flesh and blood.

The Muslim youth living in Western societies learn how to think and act in a way alien to Islam as they are continuously bombarded with Western culture via the television, school and society at large.

Many of the youth glorify gangsters, pop stars, actors, sports personalities and even fictional characters. If we were to give two lists of people to some of the Muslim youth today and ask them what they know about the people mentioned in the list, think about what the response would be:

List 1: Dr. Dre, Tupac, Eminem, Snoop Doggy Dog, Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, David Beckham, and Kylie Minogue.

List 2: Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, Mus'ab ibn Umayr, Zubair ibn al-Awwam, Khalid ibn Walid, Asma bint Abu Bakr, Zaid ibn Thabit, Usamah bin Zaid, Muhammad al Fatih and Tariq bin Ziyad.

Unfortunately many of the youth would know much about the people mentioned in the first list and very little about those in the second list. Some would even look up to the people in first, even though they are Kuffar who follow the ways of the Shaytan and promote indecency.

The Muslim youth need to look up to the right people and must have the right role models. The youth should be acquainted with the Muslims of the past who used to be the leaders of humanity.

There are many examples from young Muslims of the past to look to. In fact most of the early converts to Islam were young - most of them were under 30 years of age.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra)

One of the earliest converts to Islam was Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) - he converted to Islam of his own accord when he was only eight years of age. When people think of eight year olds today they imagine children who spend their time thinking about WWF wrestling, Pokemon, computer games or the latest movie. Contrast this to the example of Ali (ra).

Ali (ra) embraced Islam even though his father, Abu Talib remained a non-Muslim. When he was asked, "Aren't you going to ask the permission of your father to embrace Islam", he answered confidently, "Allah didn't ask the permission of my father when he created me, so why do I need my father's permission to worship him?"

He stuck at the side of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the early days of the Da'wa (Islamic call) in Makkah, even when the numbers of Muslims were few and the society was hostile. He was a man of courage, even at a young age. In one incident there was a gathering of about forty leaders of the Quraish - these were the most notable people in the society, similar to the most prominent politicians and celebrities of today. In this gathering the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) invited them to Islam, but they rejected his message. In this gathering Ali (ra) stood up and looked at all of them in the face and said, "I believe in him and I stand behind him".

Imam Ali (ra) went on to become one of the greatest of the Sahabah, he was known as the one of the most knowledgeable. He also became the fourth Khalifah of the Muslims who ruled the people with Islam and carried Islam to the world.

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (ra)

Those 'Wanna be Gangsers' who drive around in lowered cars blasting out satanic music who think that they are 'hard men' should look to the example of Abdullah bin Masoud (ra) to see true bravery.

Abdullah embraced Islam when he was only 14 years of age. He used to roam the mountain trails of Makkah far away from people, tending the flocks of a Quraishi leader, Uqbah ibn Mu'ayt. He was also known by the Kunya (nickname) of Ibn Umm Abd.

The companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) were together one day in Makkah. They were still few in number and oppressed. They said, "The Quraish have not yet heard the Qur'an being recited openly and loudly. Who is the man who could recite it for them?'

"I shall recite it to them," volunteered Abdullah ibn Masoud. "We are afraid for you," they said. "We only want someone who has a clan who would protect him from their evil."

"Let me," Abdullah ibn Masoud insisted, "Allah shall protect me and keep me away from their evil." He then went out to the mosque until he reached Maqam Ibrahim (a few meters from the Ka'ba). It was dawn and the Quraish were sitting around the Ka'ba. Abdullah stopped at the Maqam and began to recite:

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). He has taught the Quran. He has created man and taught him the clear speech. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses calculated with measured out stages for each..." [TMQ Ar-Rahman]

He went on reciting. The Quraish looked at him intently and some of them said: "What is Ibn Umm Abd saying? Damn him! He is reciting some of what Muhammad brought!"

They went up to him and began beating his face as he continued reciting. When he went back to his companions the blood was flowing from his face. "This is what we feared for you," they said. "By Allah," replied Abdullah, "the enemies of Allah are not more comfortable than I at this moment. If you wish I shall go out tomorrow and do the same." "You have done enough," they said. "You have made them hear what they dislike."

Abdullah ibn Masoud went on to become one of the best reciters of the Qur'an of whom the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "Whoever wants to read the Quran as fresh as when it was revealed, then let him read according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd."

He also became one of the most knowledgeable in the Quran and strove to gain the knowledge of Islam.

Zaid ibn Thabit (ra)

Those youth who waste their time gaining useless information like that related to the lives of pop stars and engaging in shallow activities such as watching TV like zombies should take lessons from the life of Zaid ibn Thabit (ra).

In the second year of the Hijrah, Madinah, the city of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), was buzzing with activity as the Muslims were preparing for the long march southwards to Badr for Jihad.

The whole atmosphere in the society was based on Islam, not like today where the whole atmosphere is dominated by organised distractions like football, where the majority of discussion in the media and society surrounds a game where twenty-two people kick a leather ball around a pitch. Today the atmosphere in the non-Muslim and Muslim world is generated around shallow activities. Pop concerts, Olympics, football tournaments and the like are promoted in the media to the extent that people come to know every detail and strategy as if they were studying a war.

In the past under the Islamic rule, under the Khilafah, the atmosphere was dominated by Islam, the major events of the society were not who is playing who in the next match, rather it was Jihad, which land are we going to bring under the authority of Islam next?

The noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) made a final inspection of the first army to be mobilized under his leadership to wage Jihad against those who had tormented the Muslims for many years and who were still bent on putting an end to his mission.

A youth, not yet thirteen, walked up to the ranks. He was confident and alert. He held a sword that was as long or possibly slightly longer than his own height. He went up to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and said, "I dedicate myself to you, Messenger of Allah. Permit me to be with you and to fight the enemies of Allah under your banner."

The noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) looked at him with admiration and patted his shoulder with loving tenderness. He commended him for his courage but refused to enlist him because he was still too young. The youth, Zaid ibn Thabit (ra), turned and walked away, dejected and sad.

Zaid bin Thabit (ra) knowing that he was too young to join the armed forces still wanted to aid the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and be close to him, so he turned his mind to gaining knowledge and memorising the Qur'an.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then set him a task that required intelligence, skill and persistence. "Zaid, learn the writing of the Jews for me." instructed the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). "At your command, Messenger of Allah," replied Zaid who set about learning Hebrew with enthusiasm. He became quite proficient in the language and wrote it for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when he wanted to communicate with the Jews. Zaid also read and translated from Hebrew when the Jews wrote to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) instructed him to learn Syriac also and this he did. Zaid thus came to perform the important function of an interpreter for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in his dealings with non-Arabic speaking peoples. Zaid's enthusiasm and skill were obvious.

When the Prophet felt confident of his faithfulness in the discharge of duties and the care, precision and understanding with which he carried out tasks, he entrusted Zaid with the weighty responsibility of recording the divine revelation and he became a scribe of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) who used to write the verses of the Qur'an when they were revealed.

Other examples

There are many other examples from the Sahabah of youth, men and women, who were leaders for Islam. Mus'ab ibn Umayr (ra) was only 24 years old and was sent by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to Madinah to spread Islam, Aisha (ra) the wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Asma bint Abu Bakr - the daughter of Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra), Az-Zubayr bin-Awwam who was only 12 when he embraced Islam, Sa'd bin Abi-Waqqas who was 17, Usamah bin Zaid who was only 17 when he led the senior Sahabah like Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar (ra) as the Amir of an army of Jihad, and Ja'far ibn Abi Talib who at the age of 20 was able to stand in the court of king Negus of Abyssinia and eloquently represent and defend the Muslims.

However we should realise that the great personalities from amongst the youth continued even after the time of the Sahabah.

Imam As-Shafi, one of the greatest scholars of this Ummah, memorised the Qur'an when he was 7, and was a Mujtahid, a scholar, with the ability to derive solutions from the Quran and the Sunnah at the age of 14. Today it is difficult for people to imagine going to a 14 year old to ask him about Islamic law. Tariq bin Ziyad conqueror of Spain and Muhammad al-Fateh, the conqueror of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) were young men.

There are many other examples of Muslim youth who stood up for Islam and achieved great things for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala). The important thing to bear in mind is that in the past under the rule of Islam this was the norm for the youth.

Practical steps for the youth to change

These practical steps are an advice for the Muslim youth. For those who do not practise Islam, inshallah it will help them to begin and those who are already practising, inshallah it will aid them to enhance our worship of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala).

1) Educating yourself about Islam

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,

"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim" [Ibn Majah]

All of us have to be continuously gaining knowledge about Islam, as it is the most important thing in life. So we have to know about the Islamic Aqeedah (belief). Contrary to how some youth perceive Islam, it is not a belief that we are not allowed to question and merely based on blind following. Islam is the thinking man's belief. Ibn Abbas one of the companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "The light of Iman (belief) is thinking". Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) says,

"Lo in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and in the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth are signs (of Allah's sovereignty) for people who have sense." [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 164]

We need to believe with full conviction and understand how to prove that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) exists and that the Qur'an is the word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala). We have to also know about the Shari'ah rules and our duties in life.

All over Britain there are many members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, brothers and sisters, who are available to practically help you develop Islamic personalities. Islam is a Deen of collectiveness and helping each other - therefore as Muslims we must seek help when we need it.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain regularly organise study circles in many areas where we discuss many relevant subjects that aid Muslims in following Islam and advance their understanding.

2) Linking our actions to the consequences in the Akhirah (hereafter)

A Muslim must link his actions directly to the consequences, the rewards and punishments in the hereafter. He should visualise these when even thinking about performing any prohibited action; this consciousness of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala) and the afterlife should be a shield to protect us from sin and should encourage us to earn reward.

If we are about to act rebelliously to our parents in a haram way, we should know what the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) mentioned about this.

It was narrated by Anas (ra) that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about the most serious and detestable sins. He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied,

"To associate anyone with Allah, to disobey the parents and cause them pain or injury; to kill unlawfully and to give false evidence." (Bukhari)

Also, Abi Bakrah Nufay ibn Al-Harith said,

"The Messenger of Allah asked us three times, shall I tell you the greatest sin?" We said, "Yes O Messenger of Allah." He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, "Associating partners with Allah and disobeying ones parents." (Agreed upon)

If we are about to miss the obligatory Salah (prayers), we should remember that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) equated missing Salah to disbelief. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
 "The covenant between myself and yourself is the Salah, whoever abandons the prayer commits an action of disbelief." [Musnad Ahmad]

If we are tempted by intoxicants such as alcohol or drugs whether in large or small quantities, we should be warned by the words of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):
 "All intoxicants are unlawful, of whatever thing a large quantity intoxicates, even a small quantity is prohibited." [An-Nawawi]

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said, "An intoxicant is the mother of all vices. Whosoever drinks it; his prayers will not be accepted (by Allah) for forty days. If he died and there is wine in his stomach, he has died the death of Jahilliyah (ignorance)."

3) Being in a good environment

Remaining in a correct atmosphere is vital for a Muslim to be able to avoid the temptations that the Shaytan puts forward. The type of atmosphere that exists amongst some of the youth today is very corrupt and is dominated by drugs, alcohol, lewd music and free mixing with the opposite sex. Often what is discussed is related to the opposite sex, music, television, movies, computer games and the like. It is very rare that serious discussions about life take place.

Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
 "The example of a good companion in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof." [Bukhari Volume 3, No 314]

We must realise that our friends in the Dunya will be our friends in the Akhirah (herafter). The true meaning of friendship is not to allow each other to get closer towards hellfire and to help each other in getting closer to Jannah (paradise). Sometimes what people perceive to be as their closest friends can be their worst enemies if they are making them earn the displeasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala).

4) Carrying Da'wa to others

When studying Islam, we also need to carry it to others. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,
"Even if you know one verse propagate it".

Many of the Sahabah began calling to Islam as soon as they embraced Islam even though they had very little knowledge of it. Carrying Islam to others, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is an obligation and in reality makes us more conscious of our own actions.

We should know that we can never be perfect - we will make mistakes. Islam wasn't revealed for angels, it was revealed for human beings.

5) Following Islam doesn't mean becoming robots

Some people have the misconception that following Islam means that you have to turn into robots or monks and are not allowed any relaxation. Islam allows relaxation and leisure but as long as it is according to the Shari'ah and does not distract us from obeying Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'aala).

Aisha (ra), the mother of the believers, narrated,
"Three worldly things used to give pleasure to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): food, women and perfume. He acquired two, but one he did not acquire. He acquired women and perfume, but not food." [Musnad Ahmad]

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would relax with his companions and his wives. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) even allowed various types of sports like target shooting. He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "You should practise target shooting for it is the best of your entertainment".

However we should be careful not to become obsessed with entertainment and relaxation as the Kuffar do.

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) informed,


"There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good." [Bukhari]

Valuing your youth

Whilst we are young we have the potential to follow Islam by advancing our understanding and carrying Islam to others. Youth doesn't last forever so we must make good use of it before it is gone. We have to ensure that we follow the footsteps of the great Muslim youth of the past who used to be leaders of humanity. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said,

"Value five things before five other things: Youth before old age; health before sickness; affluence before poverty; leisure before becoming too busy; and life before death." [Tirmidhi].

Abdul-Hamid Jassat  Posted by sister Bint ul Islamhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/muslim_youth_club