Guest Contributor | 2015. 08.18. | 2 Dhul Qa’ada 1436 H
Childhood is deemed as the best time to foster moral principles and construct a righteous value system. The youth of our country will soon become our future leaders. Young blogger Fatima Moola believes that the best way young people can empower themselves is by helping others. She writes that if we lose ourselves in helping others, then only will we find ourselves.
When young people have the courage to stand tall and face their dreams while casting their fears aside, we have hope of living in an era free of poverty, unemployment, racism, inequality and discrimination. It is very possible for empowered youth to convert these hopes into realities.
Youth empowerment is when young adults can easily recognise problems and find solutions to them. Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream” – and it came true. Had he not had a dream or a vision he wouldn’t have accomplished anything. Likewise, we should have unity and positive spirited visions and dreams. As youth, we should realise what our powers, responsibilities and duties are, and stand up for what is right. If we contribute to the best of our capacity and ability then anything could be possible.
Islamic Inspiration
In my opinion, empowered and accomplished youth are legendary people – the likes of Usamah bin Zaid (ra) and Zainab (ra). Let us take a glimpse into the lives of those who Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasalam) said are like guiding stars – if we follow them, we’ll be rightly guided. Distinct importance was given to those youth among the sahaba (radiallahu anhom) who sacrificed their lives for Islam and fulfilled their responsibilities to Allah Ta’allah, their parents and communities.
One such gem is Zainab (ra), the wife of our beloved Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasalam). She helped people so much that when they asked Nabi (s) who would meet him first after his death, the reply was the one who has the longest hands. Sahaba later realised that it was her – the one who helped the most, the one who lost herself in charity work, the one who immersed herself in giving. In giving she found true happiness. This is what we should aspire to, to become such individuals who look beyond their struggles.
Another sahabi who awes me is Usama bin Zaid (radiallahu anho), who at the tender age of 17 or 18 was appointed as commander of an army. He set out with 3000 men on the same day of the demise of Nabi (Salallahu alaihi wasalam). What an accomplishment! Where do we find ourselves at 16, 17 or 18? Battling the terror of adolescence? So they say.
These are true heroes, historical legends, whose age did not define their maturity or their rank. They weren’t meaningless and fictional heroes. Real heroes should come to our minds – those who gave up their lives in the path of Allah and fighting for Islam – as role models.
As young people we should lend a helping hand to our communities and engage in voluntary work as great reward lies in it, aside from it being fulfilling. In a hadeeth it is mentioned something to the effect, that the best of people are those who benefit people the most. We should help out whether in a large or small capacity, in matters of significance or perhaps something trivial. We make our lives count by touching other lives.
Trusting Allah in the truest way, is when we use the power or capability that Allah Ta’allah has blessed us with and turn the potential into results and action which will form us into good leaders, the kind we are in need of today.
Dear youth, realise your value and importance – the future of the Ummah lies in our hands. May Allah guide us, protect us and save us from the evils of shaytaan. Ameen.
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