Youth:
Vitality or Apathy?
-------------------------
‘When the eagle spirit is awakened in the youth,
its destination appears to it, far off in the sky…’ (Iqbal)
IT
IS TRUE…
*
That the resistance of the youth served as a catalyst for
the eventual demise of the oppressive regime in South Africa,
* That the lonely defendants of Masjidul Aqsa are no more
than the youth of Palestine,
* That the arch-enemy of Islam, Abu Jahl was killed by two
youths barely in their teens.
* That the first male to believe in Nabi Sallallahu Alyhi
Wa Sallam was a ten old boy named Ali bin Abi Talib (RA)
* That Nabi Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam assigned a number
of positions and responsibilities to the youth. He appointed
a young man of twenty-one, Itab Ibn Usayd (RA) as the first
governor of Mecca.
* That Muhammad ibn Qasim conquered Sind in India when he
was only seventeen.
History bears testimony to the indelible contribution of the
youth to human struggle. The youth of today can only emulate
these valiant sacrifices if they have the courage of their
convictions, the knowledge and the necessary vision. The gallant
sacrifices of the youth of yesteryear may remain the vestige
of bygone days if the youth of today fail to make a fundamental
shift from:
* PLEASURE TO SACRIFICE!
* HEEDLESSNESS TO CONSCIOUSNESS!
* INDULGENCE TO ABSTINENCE!
This
they can only achieve through:
*
The Company of the Pious
Abu
Musa (RA) narrates that Nabi Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said:
"The parable of a good companion and a bad companion
is like the bearer of musk and a blacksmith. As for the bearer
of musk, he will either give you a share (of the musk) or
you may be (inclined) to purchase it from him, or (at least)
its fragrance may rub off onto you. As for the blacksmith,
he will either burn your clothes or the foul smell (or soot)
may rub off onto you." (Bukhari & Muslim).
* The Correct Aqida (Belief)
The
Holy Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has said: "The
Israelites were divided into seventy two sects and my followers
will be split into seventy three groups. All of them shall
be in the fire of Hell except one". The companions asked:
"Which group will be saved?" He replied: "Those
who are on my path and the path of my companions."
* The Acquisition of Knowledge
Ibn
Abbâs (RA) states that Nabî (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)
has said: "A single learned scholar (of Dîn) poses a
greater threat to Shaitân then a thousand ignorant worshippers."
* Retreat into the Cave of Islam
Youth is the raw material from which the finest models
of humanity can be moulded only, if they posses the spirit
of Islam, the readiness to suffer in the cause of Allah and
the willingness to obey His word. The Noble Qur’ân speaks
of the youth who opposed a value system based on Kufr and
vanity, in the following words:
"Behold,
the youth betook themselves to the Cave, they said: "Our
Lord, bestow on us mercy from Thyself and dispose for us our
affair in the right manner … Indeed they were a group of youth
who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance".
It
is Time for Our Youth:
* To withdraw from the value system of Kufr and passion and
betake to the sanctuary of Islam.
* To divest themselves from a value system based on pride,
extravagance dazzling cars, designer clothes, music, etc.
and retreat into the Cave of Islam i.e., .. to create a distinct
Islamic identity; to infuse a sense of belonging and consciousness…
* To embrace the humility, simplicity and ethical values of
Islam.
Arise
O’ Youth! You have the vitality - Allah forbid - the apathy!!! |