In Ramadan, I heard the Friday’s Sermon. And, it reminds me about my presentation yesterday with regards to Ibnu Khaldun. I shall now said much first, let’s you guys read about the today.
Ramadan Builds Resilient Youths
O the Ummah of Rasulullah S.A.W.,
We are now half way through Ramadan. This is the time when the doors to Allah’s forgiveness are wide open. So, take this chance to ask Allah forgiveness for all our sins and wrong doings.
Truly, those who will lose out in this world and the hereafter are those who do not seize this opportunity and let it go by. Truly, this month of Ramadan is full of blessings for those who remember. Ramadan is also a reminder for those who have forgotten. The Prophet S.A.W. said:
Which means: On the first day of Ramadan, Satan and djins are chained. The doors of Hell are closed and not one door will be opened. The doors of Heaven will be opened and not one will be closed. Then, a voice will call out: O those who desire good! Continue doing your good deeds! And O you who desire evil! Stop your wrongdoing. Truly, every night, there will be those released from the tortures of Hellfire. (Hadith narrated by Imam at-Tirmizi)
How fortunate are those who remember.
Those who remember to perform their ibadah. Those who remember to read the Quran. Those who remember to refine their characters. Those who remember to nurture their families. Those who remember to show kindness to their families. Those who remember to be a blessing for their society. And those who remember to stay away from what has been forbidden by Allah.
This is the identity of a successful person. The identity of someone who follows the footsteps of our beloved Prophet in facing the challenges of our current life. This is the Singaporean Muslim Identity.
My brothers,
Ramadan also gives us strength. By fasting, we shore our defenses. The strength of faith, purity of character and strength of mind are all our defenses. Defenses in facing all of life’s challenges. How true are the Prophet’s words:
Which means: “The fast is a barricade (against evil).” (Hadith narrated by Imam An-Nasai)
This defense is also what strengthens our youths. Let us translate this strength from Ramadan to the lives of our youths. This strength will make them resilient youths who are proud of their Muslim identity.
My brothers,
For a start, look at how Rasulullah s.a.w. was surrounded by youths in his mission to spread Islam.
Umair, brother to Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqash, was a formidable Companion. During the battle of Badr, which took place in Ramadan, Umair had followed his older brother, Sa’ad, to war, even though he was still very young at the time. In fact, he had just reached the age of majority (baligh).
When Rasulullah called the troops to assemble and to ready themselves before riding for war, Umair hid himself. He feared that he would not be allowed to go to war because of his age.
But Rasulullah saw him. At first, the Prophet disapproved him from going. Umair cried, until Rasullulah sympathised with him and allowed him to go. His sword was tied to his shoulder, as his body was still small. And so, he went to fight for Allah. He died as a syahid at Badr.
Take the example of Zaid Bin Thabit. He also asked Rasullulah to allow him to participate in the battle. At the time, he was not even 13 years of age. Judging him too young, the Prophet did not allow him to go.
However, Rasulullah s.a.w. have never disappointed anyone. When he noticed that Zaid bin Thabit had a quick mind and could memorise the Quran quickly and accurately, Rasulullah told him to study. And the Prophet asked Zaid bin Thabit to study the Hebrew language.
With his sharp mind, Zaid bin Thabit managed to master the language quickly, and Rasulullah s.a.w. appointed him as a translator, despite his youth.
Those are just a few examples of youths that Rasulullah s.a.w. personally taught and nurtured. There are even more examples of youths who were the pillars of the religion, like Muadz Bin Jabal, Ali Bin Abi Thalib, Abdullah Bin Abbas R.A. and many more.
My brothers,
Truly, the youths are the hope for the future. Their success would mean success for us all, and should they not succeed, it also means we all do not succeed.
So, we need to cultivate our youths. We need to build in them firm principles and unyielding faith. We need to strengthen our youth with spirituality, deep knowledge and good values and character.
Strong youths can bring about blessings to all. Resilient youths will be able to help us overcome our challenges.
My brothers,
To ensure that our youths are strong, it is very important for us to continually be with them and guide them. Our guidance needs to be tempered with love and kindness. Advice and guidance need to be given with patience and truthfully. As Allah s.w.t has said in Surah Al-Asr, Verse 3:
Which means: “Except those who believe and do good, and remind each other on the truth, and remind each other on patience”
Besides guiding them with love, we also need to show them how to face today’s challenges without selling out on their principles and Muslim identity. How? The key is none other than equipping them with knowledge. The knowledge to refine one’s iman, one’s soul, one’s character and one’s mind. With the appropriate knowledge, our youth can be leaders and examples to all.
O our Muslim youth,
Take up this challenge, be amongst those who contribute to society. Remind yourselves continually to search for knowledge that is beneficial and true. When you do this, you are contributing to the religion.
O Muslim youth,
Have patience in facing the challenges of today. Truly, the strength of a person lies in his patience.
O Muslim youth,
Be confident and courageous when you face life’s challenges. For only with courage can you achieve success.
Should you not succeed in your initial attempts, don’t give up. Instead, try again harder. InsyaAllah, you will succeed one day.
O Muslim youth,
You are our future leaders. Arm yourselves with knowledge; knowledge that increases your iman and knowledge that sharpens your mind.
O my brothers,
Let us continue to nurture and guide our children. Guide them with love. Do not let our young drown in a sea of negative influences. Nurture them and inculcate in them the noble Islamic values and principles.
In this blessed month of Ramadan, let us pray together that our children, our youth, will become successes in this world and in the hereafter. Youths who are resilient in their faith. Youths who can contribute to their nation. Youths who are a blessing to all.
This surmon can be download on Khutbah Title: Ramadan Builds Resilient Youth [28 September 2007]
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