The Youth in Islaam
By Umm Abdullah
Ibraahim, the father of the prophets- Abul Anbiyaa'. The noble Messenger of Allah, who particularly introduced the concept of tawheed and hanifiyyah(the upright way) to the land of the Two Rivers(as they call it-Mesopotamia) . The greatest of the five greatest messengers(ulul 3azm min ar-rusul) according to some scholars like Ibn Kathir (rh). He was also known as Khaleel ar Rahmaan , the close companion of the Most Merciful. Indeed, this man was none other than Ibraahim (alayhissalam). The man whom Allah called a nation(ummah)!
As Allah says,
{ إن إبراهيم كان أمة قانتا لله حنيفا ولم يك من المشركين }
"Verily, Ibrahim (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who joined partners with Allah). "[Surah al Nahl:120]
Ibraahim(AS) is one of the most spectacular figures in history;therefore, it is no wonder that he is
revered not only by us, Muslims, but also by the Christians and Jews, although they have tampered
with his image and life somewhat (within their books). It is quite interesting that these religions attribute monotheism to Ibraahim (Abraham in English). Ibraahim(AS) is a truly unique Messenger. He lived in a very strange era, but what he did is something an ordinary human without the help of Allah could never do.
Ibraahim grew up in a society where kufr and shirk where rampant. He saw the worship of paganistic idols right and left. He saw animal sacrifices to these so called gods, who were in reality powerless and speechless carved stones. Ibraahim was such a great thinker although he was a mere teen, who could have ignored such thoughts of religion. He could've chosen to just enjoy his youth and life. NO. After thinking and watching, and watching and thinking, Ibraahim realized that surely this is not the right way and something clicked in him.
Ibraahim was given these inspirations by Allah and his story is well-known by all; therefore, I will not go into the story of Al Haneef(The Upright, Man of Tawheed), Ibraahim (Alayhis-salam). However, what we need to understand and carefully think over is the strength and high station of one who believes in Allah, calls others to Him, and endures in the rough path ahead. What Ibraahim did was not easy, if some people may think so. Indeed, what He (AS) endured in the path of Allah was something that is an example for all youth and youngsters in today's day and age. Islaam has become the most unpopular subject in the world. In our day and age, the enemies are striking at the ummah from an internal and external point. Muslims have become subject to the western lifestyle of the disbelievers and many of us have given into the dhulm(oppression) and hawan(humiliation) of this time. We have forgotten who our ancestors were and we have forgotten to contemplate and ponder(at-tadaburr) in the stories Allah (SWT) has revealed to us in His noble Furqan(criterion).
Ibraahim(AS) acted against his whole society and challenged them with regards to their belief system. SubhanAllah! Imagine this O reader! A young boy , who was perhaps 15 or 16 years of age did this! Allah (SWT ) says, concerning what the people of Ibraahim said about him,
{ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ }
They said: "We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrahim (Abraham)."[Surah al Anbiyaa':60]
SubhanAllah!! Imagine this Oh fellow Muslim! He was a teenager and he challenged his whole nation, including his flesh and blood-his father! This just goes to show us how the youth were when they had tawheed and Islaam and what the youth have become without tawheed and by abandoning the Islamic practices. What a huge difference. Ibraahim (AS) knew very well what would be the consequences of his action when he went forth to break the idols of the temple;however, he took it upon himself to take the first steps in introducing the concept of tawheed to his people,regardless of the consequences and outcome. His father being at the top at the top of his list.
Ibraahim(AS) was a very dutiful boy. He did not wish to fight with his father nor disobey him , but he knew that it was his responsibility to protect him from the fire.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنْكَ شَيْئًا
يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءَنِي مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطًا سَوِيًّا
يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا
يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا
قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنْتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِي يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ۖ لَئِنْ لَمْ تَنْتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَلِيًّا
قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا
وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا
"And mention in the Book (the Qur'an) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet.When he said to his father: "O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything? "O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path."O my father! Worship not Shaitan (Satan). Verily! Shaitan (Satan) has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). "O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shaitan (Satan) (in the Hell-fire)." [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." Ibrahim (Abraham) said: "Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious. "And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord."[Surah Maryam: 41-48]
In this dialogue, we see the beautiful mannerisms of Ibraahim(AS) and how he was with his father. We also see the harshness and roughness of his father, Aazar.Allah showed us the interesting dialogue of monotheism Ibraahim had with his father in Suratul Maryam, which shows Ibraahim (alayhi-ssalam) was indeed one who practiced birrul walidayn(being dutiful to one's parents). This also shows the seriousness of the issue of giving da'wah to one's family and that they come first. One should not rush to calling others to pray and fast when his or her own family are corrupt and disobeying Allah! Did not Allah ta'alla say,
وأنذر عشيرتك الأقربين
"And warn your nearest kinsmen." [Surah alShu'ara: 214]
Oh Muslim! Oh believer in Allah and His oneness and in the Day of Recompense! Realize that the role of the young in Islaam is indeed a great one. Islaam is not and was not a deen that was established on its own. The youth are the ones who can make a society or corrupt it. We have a great role and responsibility therefore, we should take this issue seriously. It is up to us and upon us to decide and change our situation. The era of our parents has passed, this is our era so let us wake up to the call of Allah azza wa jall.
Allah is calling you oh youth of Islaam to that which will bring us to life. Allah ta'alla says in His noble revelation:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
| "O you who believe! Answer Allâh (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (SAW) calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allâh comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered." [Surah al Anfaal: 24] The Quran and Sunnah are what give life to us. If we stick to these two sources, we are promised and assured guidance. Why then do we not turn to these two and stick to them? Do we not fear the Almighty's warning after the above mentioned ayah? {وَاتَّقُوا فِتْنَةً لَا تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْكُمْ خَاصَّةً ۖ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ} |
| "And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe in punishment."[ Surah al Anfaal: 25] We may wonder why is Allah punishing the entire ummah for the actions of some? This is to show us that we are one ummah and our victory and pain is one. We should guide one another to what is good and forbid one another from what is false and wrong. Only then, will Allah give us the victory we deserve. |
May Allah use us for the victory of His deen!
And Allah knows best.
