In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions. To proceed:
Dear brothers and sisters! Tuesday, 12/08/2025 was the International Youth Day.
If you can remember, on Friday, 17 December 1999 (26 years ago), in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
The Assembly recommended that public information activities be organised to support the Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action for Youth, adopted by the General Assembly in 1996 (resolution 50/81).
Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security represents an unprecedented acknowledgement of the urgent need to engage young peacebuilders in promoting peace and countering extremism, and clearly positions youth as important partners in the global efforts.
Respected brothers and sisters! I have heard of the saying that “the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” The famous quote by Nelson Mandela encourages members of society to embrace, engage and empower the young. Unfortunately, this has fallen short and has not been consistent across generations, even in the past – the youth have continuously felt that their voices are not heard, and their opinions not valued. Oftentimes, they want to play a role in social change and be part of national development but are not given the platform and opportunity to do so.
And if we go back into history and look at the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), we can see that he actually paid attention to the younger segment of the Ummah. He ensured that they were not only seen but heard while also empowering and enlightening the minds and lives of the youth.
In this spirit and in conjunction with the 2025 International Youth Day, this sermon will focus on the Prophet’s interaction with younger Companions who later became prominent figures and analyse how his youth empowerment programme created strong and illustrious individuals.
Beloved servants of Allah! There was a young boy by the name of Zaid Ibn Thabit (R.A), who was hardly 13 years old at the time. He came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and asked him to enlist him in the Battle of Badr, so that he could participate in defending their rights over their stolen mandates and possessions by the Quraish. As he was too young and physically not capable, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not grant him permission.
However, he did not dismiss him entirely. Rather, the Prophet empowered him in a different capacity, which was through scholarship. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who was far-sighted and visionary leader saw Zaid’s thirst for knowledge and sincere dedication to serve the Ummah and the religion asked him to learn the languages of Hebrew and Syriac. Soon after he became one of the official scribes and interpreters of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) at a very young age.
His trust and confidence in the young boy paid off later in history. During the Battle of Yamamah, a sizeable number of Huffaz – memorisers of the Qur’an – were being martyred. There was a fear in the Muslim community that if this continued, none would remember the Qur’an by heart and it would be lost forever.
It is important to note that the Qur’an at the time of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was only written in different objects such as bones, skins and leathers. As such, during the reign of the first Caliph, Abubakar (R.A), they took on the challenging and monumental task of compiling the scattered writings of the Qur’an in one book and appointed Zaid Ibn Thabit to spearhead this massive project. In a very short amount of time, he was able to put the Qur’an together meticulously.
Such was the character of the Prophet, who saw the potential and talent in Zaid in contributing to the cause of the Ummah and religion and invested in him.
Also Mus’ab Ibn Umair (R.A). was a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who was known for his intelligence from a very young age. For this reason, he had the privilege of attending the meetings and gatherings of the Quraish. Even though the Prophet was surrounded by many giants and experienced Companions (R.A), he was not afraid to give the youth leadership roles and responsibilities.
During the early days of Prophethood, there was a growing demand and interest from the people of Madinah to learn and know about the religion of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) appointed Mus’ab (R.A). to be the ambassador of Islam to Madinah, to carry out the task of teaching the religion of Islam to the people.
Within the span of one year, every household in Madinah had a Muslim believer. Referencing the book; “The Sealed Nectar” which was written by Shaikh Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, he said:
“Mus’ab stayed in Madinah carrying out his mission steadily and successfully until all the houses of al-Ansar (Muslim locals of Madinah) had Muslim elements, men and women.”
This is why the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was the greatest Murabbi; mentor and trainer. He knew Mus’ab was completely competent and thus empowered him through this momentous task, despite his young age.
There was one event which was reported that a young man came to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and asked him for permission to commit adultery (zina). Rather than reproaching or undermining him, the Prophet approached it gently and empathetically. The Prophet empowered him through questioning, thinking, and confidently responding.
He asked rationally if the man would like that very same thing to happen to his own family members and relatives. When he said no, the Prophet counselled him that similarly neither would anyone like it for their female family members. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) then made Du’a (Supplication) to Allah to forgive his sins, purify his heart, and guard his chastity, and from that day forward, the young man never again inclined to anything sinful.
We could see that firstly, the people around the Prophet especially the young had so much comfort in him to the point that they could be upfront and confide with their innermost thoughts and feelings. He ensured that he kept communications open and established connections with young people.
Secondly, in such situations, people would naturally feel shocked or disgusted. But the Prophet was always full of empathy and understanding with their state of affairs and had never disregarded the problems and challenges that the youth faced. This was the Prophet’s art of empowerment towards them.
The cousin of the Messenger of Allah, Abdullah Ibn Abbas, was someone who was inquisitive and had an appetite for knowledge. He would spend most of his time with the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to learn from him and serve him as best as he could. Due to his dedication and enthusiasm, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) offered him a special Du’a as a sign of love and care.
It was reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) put his hand on the shoulder of Ibn Abbas and prayed:
“O Allah, give him understanding in the Religion and teach him the interpretation of the Qur’an.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmad]
Due to the spiritual enlightenment that he got from the Prophet (Peace be upon him), Abdullah Ibn Abbas (R.A) became a distinguished and learned scholar who narrated numerous Hadith and commentated the Qur’an. All this happened at the time of the Prophet’s demise when he was only 13 years of age.
On another occasion, while the both of them were riding, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to Ibn Abbas (R.A):
“Young man, I will teach you some words (of advice); Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if all of creation gathered together to benefit you, they would only benefit you with something that Allah has written for you. And if all of creation gathered together to harm you, they would only harm you with something that Allah has written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [Sunan At-Tirmizi]
Due to his love and care for his young cousin, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gave advice that would serve Abdullah Ibn Abbas (R.A) as a guide for him to navigate his life regardless of the circumstances and challenges.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would consistently put forward the advancement and development of the youth because he believed that they play a major role in building and creating a positive impact on society.
This 2025 International Youth Day, let us put our trust and confidence in our young; hear them, empower them, and let them be the change. Because the youth of today are indeed the leaders of tomorrow.
Dear servants of Allah! Wallahi Islamic teachings emphasise the critical role of youth, highlighting their potential for positive change and spiritual growth. The Qur’an and Sunnah (Hadith) provide guidance on how youth can build strong faith, develop positive character, and contribute to society. Prioritising education, self-care, and building strong relationships are key aspects of a fulfilling and impactful life for young people.
The Qur’an highlights the example of young believers who were guided by Allah, emphasising their potential for faith and righteousness. Verse 18:13 from the Qur’an says:
“We relate to you their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance.”
The Qur’an also warns against arrogance and vanity, encouraging youth to be humble and respectful. Verse 17:37 from the Qur’an advises against strutting arrogantly, emphasising that true strength lies in humility and righteous conduct.
The Qur’an stresses the importance of striving for good, stating:
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”
Verse 53:39 from the Qur’an says:
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) emphasised the importance of seeking knowledge, stating:
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.”
This highlights the need for youth to educate themselves on Islamic teachings and other beneficial subjects.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) also advised youth on utilising their health and free time for good deeds. According to a Hadith from Sahih Bukhari:
“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.”
The Prophet’s example of humility and service to others serves as a model for youth:
“The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who benefits others,” highlighting the importance of using one’s youth to serve humanity.
Youth should prioritise prayer, Qur’an recitation, and other acts of worship to strengthen their connection with Allah.
Taking care of one’s physical, emotional, and mental health is essential, including getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising.
Continuously learning about Islam and other beneficial subjects is crucial for personal growth and development.
Surrounding oneself with positive influences and seeking support from friends and family is important for navigating challenges.
Youth can contribute to society through volunteering, community service, and other acts of kindness.
May Allah guide us all to that which benefits us. And I ask Allah the Most High for protection, ameen.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Prophet Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Safar 21, 1447 AH (August 15, 2025).
