If we look at the history of Islam it was always the youth that were at the forefront of the movement of this faith. This can be seen by the very fact that Ali (r.a.) accepted this deen at the age of ten when the Prophet (s.a.w) asked who would join him and he was the only one to stand forth. Do you feel that we have forgotten this great legacy and the failure to reflect and search for great heroes in our history has been replaced by holding up worldly figures as our influential examples? Is it this lack of education and reflection that has caused apathy? JazakAllah.
Answer
Absolutely, you make an exceptional point. There are definite areas of concern in the education of the youth. Firstly, some youth become disillusioned with teachers who seem to emphasize the wrong aspects of Islam, and therefore rebel.
On the other hand, the modern "Global Village" of materialism and secularism has stirred the youth to follow the idols of the day. Both are of great concern. It is only through revising, not the content of education, but the methodology and also by revisiting the stories and anecdotes of the heroes of Islam, that we can hope to rekindle this lost element.
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Loura
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Assalamu alaykom br. Garda, I want to ask you about what happened in France, What do you think were the reasons of these riots? and who is responsble for that, government, community, or youth themselves?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam Dear Brother/Sister. I think it would be of great benefit to you if you can refer to my article on Islam-Online entitled "The Haves versus The Have-Nots". The gist of the article emphasizes that the problems are socio-economic, and sprung from a great neglect on the part of the French Government to find jobs for the youth and to successfully integrate them. The uprising is a knee-jerk reaction to many years of repression and lack of hope for a better future.
Name
Host
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Assalamu alaikom wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. It is nice to make a live dialogue discussing youth problems. Thank you for that. I want to ask you about, what do you think is the role which youth can play to fix the problems happening in the world now?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam. Great question. There is a very important role for youth to play in addressing the problems facing not only Muslims, but the world in general. If we are unmotivated as youth, we fail in our duty as being the vicegerent of Allah on earth, which is a great yet challenging responsibility.
However, if we involve ourselves in violence and anarchy to try to answer the world's problems we violate the ethos of Islam and the example set by the Prophet(pbuh). So I see the role of the youth as being engaging in an educated activism. The Prophet(pbuh) said, "He who sees something wrong should try to stop it with his hands, and if he is unable to do so, he should speak out against it, and if he is still unable to do so, then at least he should feel averse to it in his heart And that is the weakest form of faith."
The youth have energy and very little negative emotional baggage that one generally gains with time, and if this energy and passion can be channelled in the right direction, the youth of the world, Muslim and non-Muslim can make the world a safer and more harmonious place. This is through dialogue and real sincerity. The Muslim youth, however, must never feel ashamed of their identity and the great legacy that they carry. This is of paramount importance. An apologetic Muslim youth is a powerless Muslim youth.
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Khalid
- United Kingdom
Profession
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Salam Br. Imran. Always there are elder people talking on behalf of youth. How can young people speak for themselves without having the resort to burning cars? How can youth have their own voice? I think because they don't have a voice, they feel this apathy.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam... Another exceptional point. You are correct that the youth feel that they don't have a voice. I think it's important that the older members of the community do give the youth more responsibility through adequate delegation and transfer of power. Ideally it would be great to have the wisdom of the elders and the vibrance and passion of the youth working in tandem.
The youth, however, need to realise, that burning cars and engaging in shock-tactics is not the answer. There needs to be a sense of humility in thinking, "I know I've been wronged, but there is a better way of opposing the wrongs imposed upon me!"
Name
Mahmoud
- United States
Profession
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Assalamu `alaikom wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatu. Do you think that youth lost their role models, or they don't have any? And why?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa barakatu. It's not a case of the youth not having role models, but rather a case of youth forgetting their own history, and as you say "losing" their role models. The Muslim youth need to realise that they are selling themselves short by adoring and admiring the David Beckham's or Julia Robert's of this world.
As I answered earlier, the Muslims need to re-visit Their heritage, with real heroes like Sahaba Ali, Ammar, Bilal, (may Allah be pleased with them all) to name a few. Study their lives and see how their efforts can be appreciated in our own context.
Also, a sincere attempt at understanding the Qur'an is needed. Particularly for non-Arabic speaking Muslims, remember that this book is not an amulet or a book merely to read for heavenly benefit. It is a reference point, a book of instruction from The Lord of The Worlds. Treating The Qur'an as a roadmap will enable the youth to tap into treasures like Surah Kahf, which contains a story of some more "real" heroes, the sleepers. Youth who opposed the materialism and hedonism of their society to worship the One God. Surah Yusuf will give the youth guidance on questions of lust, chastity, power and desire. With all this, we cannot feel ashamed of Islam.
Muhammad Asad writes in 'Islam at The Crossroads': "In order to achieve the regeneration of Islam, the Muslims must, before adopting any measures of reform, free themselves entirely from the spirit of apology from their religion. A Muslim must live with his head lifted high. He must realise that he is distinct and different from the rest of the world, and he must be immensely proud of his being so. He should endeavour to preserve this difference as a precious quality, and pronounce it boldly to the world, instead of apologising for it and trying to merge into other cultural circles." We as youth have much to do!!
Name
David
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salamu `alaikom everybody. Well, my question in fact is the topic of this live dialogue. Muslim Youth Between Agitation and Apathy - What's The Answer?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam. Thank you for your question! I've mentioned it earlier, that we need to find the balance. Being apathetic is a violation of our central purpose in this world, and the very reason we were created. We are the vicegerent of Allah on earth, and have many responsibilities with that mantle.
An agitated and violent youth may create a slight awareness of pressing issues, but it doesn't solve too many problems. Refer to my response to "Ali".
Name
Ihsaan
- South Africa
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu Alaikum Brother, What do you think is the best way to keep Muslim youth continually motivated after "discovering Islam". Many times we see youth "find Islam" and are very enthusiatic about their Deen, but after a while, this enthusiasm wears off and life becomes mundane.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel the same way at times! We are all fluctuating, but I know your refer to the serious somersault we sometimes see from people who earlier seemed to have had a magical epiphany.
There are a number of factors. Sometimes a brother or sister may be interested in Islam and submit, finding peace within this harmonious religion. They may then come across someone who forces them to wear the beard at a certain length or don the niqaab, to cite two examples, and suddenly it's a massive shock.
It's a misgiving on the part of those who are not setting good examples. There needs to be a focus on the priorities of the religion and also a genuine attempt to understand each person as an individual with their own needs, desires, psychological background.
Another big "spoiler" for imaan for the youth is when they come across people claiming that they are the ONLY righteous movement or sect within Islam and every other group is deviant. This dissunity hampers progress and leads to apathy. Again, it's a misgiving on the part of those who should be setting a good example.
The youth must rest assured that all Muslims, whatever their flavour or denomination may be, believe in the 5 pillars [Oneness of God; Prayer; Almsgiving; Fasting; Pilgrimage] and the Articles of faith [Belief in God; His Angels; His Divine Books; His Messengers and The Day of Judgement.] I think this is reassuring. It's no secret - The Ummah needs to work on unity. Remember though, "Do not be dejected nor grieve. You shall be uppermost if you are believers." 3:139
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Aiman
- India
Profession
Question
Salaam alaikum brother Imran,
I think literature to which teenagers can relate to can help foster a better understanding of the world. The youth are natural rebels but by offering them education through entertainment that is creative and positive can open the whole thought process in other fields also. In fact, the Golden Age of Muslims was brought about by constructive ideas. I read a book called "Buried Treasure" by Selma Cook recently and I thought: "That's it!" It affected me to think in a new direction and I got over some of my confusions. It has inspired me to become a better Muslim. Don't you think our community needs to promote good literature, mainly for the younger generation? It is practically non-existent.
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam. Fantastic point, and alhamdulillah, I'm glad you've found something inspirational. It is imperative that we promote good media in general. That includes books, CD's, movies, poems, Anasheeds.
We, as Mankind, have been given extraordinary gifts from Allah(swt), and a form of worship is to use our gifts to entertain and educate simultaneously. There is a major need to promote enlightening media.
I remember seeing a documentary on the famine in Ethiopia as a very young person which "jolted" me and made me realise that I need to do something, anything for those who have been given much much less than me. I also remember reading, "The Road to Mecca" by Muhammad Asad at a time when I was feeling spiritually sick, and suddenly there was an upsurge in confidence, I was once again proud to be a Muslim.
May Allah help us in our promotion of all those things that may inspire others.
Name
Sara
- Morocco
Profession
Question
Assalamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. You are a freelance writer and volunteer for charitable organizations Masha'Allah. Why do you feel that many other youth don't follow examples like yourself in helping the Ummah?
Answer
Wa Alaikum Salaam. I think there are many young people doing exceptional work, but we need to unearth them and bring to light the good work they are doing. I know what you mean, though. I think far too many youth are falling prey to following their desires and forget their social/humanitarian responsibility.
Name
Khadija
- France
Profession
Question
Salamu alaykum. It seems that the youth are enthusistic about defending Islam and doing Jihad for the sake of Allah -sometimes in positive way, and sometimes in negative way-. But why do they see "Jihad" in the military sense only? I mean, where is the wisdom in Jihad in all of its forms? i.e. jihad al-nafs, da'wah, helping their families, and purifying and educating themselves.
Answer
Wa Alaikom Salaam. Very pertinent question. It's a vicious cycle. The mainstream media creates the idea that there is only form of "Jihad" , which besides fighting for a good cause, they attach to bombings, beheadings and all other forms of terrorism.
The angry Muslim youth, on response to the hurt caused to the Muslim world by the invasions to Afghanistan and Iraq or the horrific human right's violations in places like Guantanamo Bay, are incited to violence. They then respond in what they perceive is an Islamic response, the monolithic "Jihad" that the media has fed them. That is the negative consequence and it is definitely a concept that needs to be addressed in educating the youth.
Jihad, as you said, encompasses all aspects of our lives as believers. We have to constantly strive to better ourselves, our families and our communites.
Name
Abdullah
- Canada
Profession
Question
Salaam,
I think kids today are no different than kids of yesterday. In fact, history at times has been a lot harder and cruel to children than today. The issue is people communicate more about these issues, recognized them - injustice, violence, religion etc. The key is parents. Regardless of what is happening outside the doorway of your home, you must love your kids and teach them well. Tell them the truth, some people dislike Islam and some will be unfair to you for no other reason than because you are a Muslim. You have to deal with it. Not be violent or caught up with hysteria. You must treat all with a kind attitude and remember that you have a family that loves you. I think if we start trying to make excuses or get angry than we only confuse our youth and make them apart of our responsibilities and struggles. Youth need time for them. They need to live in peace as much as possible. If it can be nowhere else, it must exist at home. Muslims must strengthen the family, that is the way to survive today's issues. This is my opinion on youth today. Peace.
Answer
A very important part of anyone's upbringing is having a stable and secure family environment. I agree with you, and you have a beautiful, rational approach. I also agree that we can't make excuses, but there is nothing wrong with trying to find the root causes of why youth are angry, violent or disilluisioned. Dealing with those root causes can help facilitate that good home environment and ideal parent-child reltionship that you mention. Thank you for your thoughts!
