Dilemma Facing the Youth: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Uthaymeen hafidhahullaah

Part 1

Verily all praises are due to Allaah. We praise and glorify him, we seek help from him, we ask of his forgiveness and we tum to him. We seek refuge in him from the evil within us and from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides there is no one to mislead him and whomsoever Allaah misguides, there is no one to guide him. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, who is one, and he has no partner. I bear witness that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is his servant and his messenger. May Allaah bestow Durood (His choicest blessings) upon him and his noble family and companions and those who followed them with excellence.

It gives me great pleasure to present to my brothers a very serious problem not only in Islaamic society but in every society, and that is the problem facing the youth in this age. The hearts of the youth are sicken with psychological problems which sometimes makes them uneasy with life and they spend their energies in trying to free themselves from those difficulties and removing that sorrow. The removal of the difficulties will will never take place except with Deen (Religion) and character in which there is the strengthening of society and the betterment of this world and the hereafter. With this (religion and character), goodness and blessings will descend and evil and calamities will end.

Countries do prosper except with the help of its citizens and religion does not gain strength except with its followers. When the followers of Islaam will stand up for it, Allaah will help them no matter how many enemies they have. Allaah Ta'ala says:

"O believers, if you help Allaah's cause, he will help you and make your feet firm (against your enemies) and those who disbelieved, woe unto them and their actions are in vain." [47:7,8]

If Deen (religion) cannot be strong except with it's followers, then it is necessary for us, the followers of Islaam and it's flag-bearers, that we firstly stregthen ourselves so that we may become worthy of leadership and guidance. It is imperative that we learn from the book of Allaah (The Qur'aan) and the Sunnah of his Rasool (Messenger) sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam which will equip us for speech, action, guiding and inviting. This will enable us to carry the weapons of the guidance of Islaam to all those who seek the truth and also to wield it against all those who seek falsehood.

Then it is neccesary for us to put into practice what we have learnt from the Qur'aan and Sunnah, on the basis of Eemaan (faith), conviction and sincerity Our characteristic should not be one of speech only because if speech is not backed up by action, it's effect will not extend beyond the speaker and this speech will have an opposite elect:

"O believers, why do you say that which you do not do. It is most hateful in the sight of Allaah that you say that which you do not practice." [61:2-3]

It is most appropriate for us that we start at the beginning and ponder over our youth and their thoughts and actions, so that we may increase those which are good and correct those who are incorrect because the youth of today are the men of tomorrow and they are the foundation on which a future nation will be built. It is for this reason that the text of the Sharee'ah (Islaamic Law) has encouraged giving the youth due consideration and directing them to which is good and correct. They are the basis of the Ummah of which it's future will be built and if their reformation is grounded upon the strong pillars of the Deen (Religion) and character, there will be a brilliant future for this Ummah, if Allaah wills.

A glance at the youth

If we closely exam the the youth, it will be possible for us to conclude that the youth are generally of three types: Rightly guided youth, deviated or perverted youth and youth who are confused (between evil and good).

The first type

Rightly guided youth are: Youth who firmly believe in all the implications of this Kalima (the shahadatain). They termly believe in their Deen (Religion). Eemaan (Faith) is beloved to them and they are content and satisfied with their Eemaan. They consider aquiring Imaam as a profit and deprivation from it as a big loss.

Youth who worship Allaah sincerely. They worship Allaah alone who has no partner.

Youth who follow the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam practically in his speech and action because they believe that he is the Messenger of Allaah and the leader of all messengers.

Youth who establish salah (Prayer) perfectly to the best of their ability, because they believe in the benefit and the religious, worldly and social merit found in prayer and the dangerous consequences of neglecting salah for both the individual andd the nation.

Youth who give Zakah in full to those who are deserving of it, because they believe that Zakah fulfils the needs of Islaam and it is one of the five Pillars of Islaam.

Youth who fast during the month of Ramadaan. They stop themselves from their desires and cravings, whether it is summer or winter because they believe that actions are for the pleasure of Allaah. Thus they give preference to that which pleases Allaah over that which they desire.

Youth who perform the compulsory duty of Hajj (Pilgrimage) to the sacred house of Allaah because they love Allaah. Thus they love the house of Allaah and they love going to the places of his mercy and forgiveness and collaborating with his Muslim brothers who come to these places.

Youth who believe in Allaah who is their creator and the creator of the skies and the each, because they see from amongst the signs of Allaah that which leaves no doubt even for a moment whatsoever in the existence and being of Allaah. They see in this vast unique universe, in the form and system of the universe, that which clearly indicates towards the existence of it's creator and His total power and complete wisdom, because it is not possible for this universe to come into existence on it's own, nor is it possible for it to come into existence coincidentally. The reason for this is that the universe was non-existent before it was brought into existence, and that which is non-existent cannot bring anything into existence, because it itself is non-existent.

It is not possible that the universe camee into existence coincidentally because it has a unique well-arranged system, which does not change nor variate from the procedure predestined for it.

"You will never find a change in the system of Allaah." [33:62]
"You will never fmd any reversal in the system of Allaah." [35:43]
"You will not see in the creation of the most gracious any disparity, so turn your vision again. Do you see any rupture? Then turn your vision again, a second time, your vision will return to you dull an in a state of fatigue." [67:3-4]

The fact that this universe has a unique, well-arranged system, prevents it's existence being coincidental. That which is in existence coincidentally will also have a system which is coincidental, which is likely to change or be disturbed in a short period of time.

Youth who believe in the angels of Allaah because Allaah has given information regarding them (the angels) in his book the Qur'aan and his Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has given information regarding to in the Sunnah (the traditions). The Qur'aan and Sunnah explain their qualities, their worship and their actions to which they rigidly stick to for the goodness of the creation. This clearly points to the existence of the angels.

Youth who believe in the Books of Allaah. Allaah revealed these books to his Messengers as a source of guidance for the creation towards the straight path. It is not possible for the mind of man to understand the intricacies of worship and social life except with the books of Allaah.