Islam has always laid great emphasis on youth’s training. The Holy Qur’an tells us the story of 7 young men in Aayah 13-14 in Surah Al-Kahf: 

“[Prophet], We shall tell you their story as it really was. They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We gave them more and more guidance. We gave strength to their hearts when they stood up and said, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never call upon any God other than Him, for that would be an outrageous thing to do.” 

The story has a moral, an example for the new generation. It is a story of unflinching faith in Tawheed, an undeterred determination to translate faith into action, a fearless approach to obey Allah (SWT)’s command, and for building a sublime character. The story leaves a lasting impression and serves as a source for inspiration and courage. Let me share with you the story in brief. 

Syria and Palestine were the parts of the Roman Empire, where Sayyidina Eesa (AS), one of the Prophets of Islam invited people to believe and obey One God, and in prophetic words told the coming of the last Messenger, Prophet (SAW) as mentioned in Aayah 6 of Surah Saff: 

“Eesa (Jesus), son of Mary said: “Children of Israel, I am sent to you by Allah, confirming the Torah that came before me and bringing good news of a messenger to follow me whose name will be Ahmad.” 

It was a dark period of ignorance and polytheism. Hazrat Eesa (A) stood against the belief in many Gods, customs, superstitions, whims, exploitation of man by man, injustice and racial prejudices. He went closer to the very center of Roman Empire and challenged the prevalent corrupt practices. People bound by traditions, expedient and afraid to accept any revolutionary change did not care for the Prophetic Message, but to the young it made sense. They, with a free spirit, inquiring mind, objective and dispassionate analysis, and undeterred search for truth, rational approach and courage to accept what was right against all odds embraced the revolutionary Message of Hazrat Eesa (A).

 The Aayah of Surah Kahf teaches us that the Guidance is from Allah alone, Who is the ultimate source of all wisdom. It is He, who provides Guidance to its seekers. These young men were seven in number, but the fate of many families and clans were attached with their fate and all were in great danger as these seven spearheaded the Tawheed movement. The must have been warned by exemplary punishment or death, or tempted by wealth and status, but Allah (SWT) had taught them patience, endurance, determination and courage. 

Evident from this Aayah is also the fact that our faith in Allah (SWT), His attributes and His help should be firm and our attachment with Him should be whole hearted. 

After faith, a Muslim youth should fulfill his social obligations and responsibilities. In addition to his loyalty to Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW), he should be an ideal example for his immediate and extended family and relatives. His morals, manners, etiquettes, attitude, social interaction and life style should mirror the personality of a Muslim as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and exemplified by Prophet (SAW). His relationship with his parents is told in Aayah 23-24 of Surah Bani Isra’eel: 

“Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents, If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully and lower your wing in humility towards them in kindness and say, ‘Lord, have mercy on them, just as they cared for me when I was little.”

Let this tradition of our beloved Prophet (SAW) not escape your attention: 

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (RA) asked Prophet (SAW): Which of the deeds is loved most by Allah?” Messenger of Allah (SAW) replied: “Salat at its proper time.” He asked what next? He (SAW) said: “Kindness to parents.” He asked: “What is next?” He (SAW) replied: “Jihad in the path of Allah.” 

After kindness and respect for parents, Islam has taught the youth to be kind to his brothers, sisters and other family members.  

Abu Ayyub Khalid ibn Zaid Al-Ansari (RA) reports that a man came to Prophet (SAW) and submitted: “Please direct me to the deed which will admit me in Paradise and take me away from the fire.” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Worship Allah and associate no partner with Him, perform Salat, pay Zakat, and maintain the ties of kinship.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Prophet (SAW) has taught that every member of the family should be mindful about his duties towards other members of the family and should remember the rights others have on him.  
Salman bin Amir (RA) reported that Prophet (SAW) said: “Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship). [Tirmidhi]

The youth is required to be an example of Islamic way of life by being respectful to his elders, affectionate towards his younger, helpful and compassionate towards the weak. He is supposed to prefer others over him, a characteristic called “Eesaar” in the Islamic terminology. Let me share with you a story of “Eesaar” of Hazrat Abu Jeham bin Hudhaifah U’dwi, (RA) who participated in the battle of Yarmuk fought between the Byzantine emperor Heraclius and the Muslims. The emperor had gathered a combined force of Greek, Syrian, Mesopotamian and Armenian soldiers numbering over 200,000, where the Muslim army’s strength was only 24,000. This was one of the fiercest battles of Islamic history fought from 15^th to 20^th August in 636 AD and won by Muslims. Listen to what Hazrat Abu Jeham (RA) says:

“One day, my cousin, together with some other soldiers, set out for the battlefield. Unfortunately, after the conclusion of the day’s battle, he failed to return.  Picking up a container of water, I set out for the battlefield, hoping to provide him with a drink in case he happened to be alive.

After searching for sometime, I found my cousin who was barely alive. I stooped down beside him and asked him if he needed some water. He nodded. At that very moment, another soldier, who lay near him, heard me and then sighed loudly to indicate that he was very thirsty.

My cousin signaled to me to provide water to the soldier first. As I went to attend to the injured soldier, I realized that he was Hishaam Ibn A’as.  I asked him whether he needed water. He signaled in the affirmative.  Instantaneously, another injured soldier demanded water and Hishaam too refused to drink the water before the other soldier had drunk it. I moved towards the third soldier, but just as I reached him, he breathed his last.  Returning to Hishaam, I observed that in this ensuing period, he too had died.  I hastened towards my cousin, only to find him dead too.”

Imagine the heat of the battlefield, bleeding wounds, pain, thirst and struggle to survive, yet the martyrs preferred a fellow brother’s need over his own thirst. History fails to provide such an example. Allah (SWT) praises such people in Aayah 9 or Surah Al-Hashr:

“Those who were already firmly established in their homes [in Medina], and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbor no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they too are poor: those who are saved from their own souls’ greed are really successful.”

Let me share with you yet another example of selflessness, honesty, trustworthiness and conscientiousness. The 3-day battle of Mada’in was fought in June of 637 AD between the forces of Chosroes (Khusro) and Muslims. It was in this battle that the Persian commander Rustam was killed and his army dispersed in flight. Spoils of the war and booty were distributed among Muslim soldiers. A soldier who fought in that battle brought the jeweled crown of emperor Chosroes to o the Muslim commander Hazrat Sa’ad bin Waqqas (RA) and submitted: “Yaa Amir, it seems to be precious item, I entrust it to you for the Bait-ul-Maal, (the state treasury). The commander was astonished at this gesture of honesty as the price of the crown could have made the soldier a millionaire. Wonder struck by the majesty of the crown, the commander asked the soldier: “What is your name young man?”  The soldier turned his face toward the exit door and said while leaving: “The One in Whose cause I fought knows my name.” Subhaan Allah! What a beautiful answer!

My dear youth, you are fortunate to live in a diverse society, a great country blessed with tremendous resources offering opportunities to learn and realize your dreams. Thank Allah (SWT) for his blessings, utilize the available time and opportunities, and be at your best whatever you choose to do, but remember that you owe a duty to this society, to this land of plenty, and your community. Exemplify good morals and etiquettes, focus on your spirit and purify your thoughts, be good to parents, relatives, elders, and fellow citizens and display an example of Islamic character. Be a walking faith of peace and brotherhood. Turn your migration to this newly adopted home as Hijrat ila’lLah. Be a sincere inviter to Allah’s Deen by living what you believe in and preach. Unity of Ummah is an obligatory duty. Be appreciative and tolerant to the differences within the faith and build bridges on similarities. Shun divisiveness as it is Shaitan’s trick. Spend your energies and time in strengthening bonds of love and brotherhood with kith and kin, family and relations and the community at large. May Allah (SWT) bless us with the true spirit of Islam! Aameen!

Today, I address the students and the youth and request them and their parents to lend me their ears and listen attentively. Youth are the greatest asset of any nation. In their hands lies the future. National aspirations revolve around them. If they are given the right training and their character is built on healthy foundations, they can then steer our ship through turbulent waters to reach the aspired destination. Today’s youth are our only hope and the only bridge between Ummah’s current state and the regaining of its lost glory.