18:13-16 = Support and Harness the Potential of the Youth

As a society and an organization, we can learn & adopt some profound lessons from the story of the People of the Cave in the Qur’an@ Surah al-Kahf, verses 13-16.

These were a small group of youth & young men, who were dedicated to upholding their values & beliefs of Tawheed: of worshipping the One True God Alone and not ascribing partners to Him. But they were rejected by their society who persecuted & oppressed them; as a result these youth abandoned their town to seek refuge to find a place where they can practice their beliefs in peace – and they met at a cave (Ref: Tafsir ibn Kathir).

What lessons can we extract from this?

Many a times we see youth and ‘new staff’ have brilliant ideas and are very enthusiastic about doing the ‘right thing’ & fixing errors within the organization; unfortunately they are quickly labelled as “idealistic”, “naïve”, “skema”, “over-ambitious”; we shut them down and this underutilized potential ends up departing us (i.e. resign, hijrah to where their ideas can take root); or they experience ‘burnout’ & just resort to being mediocre. 

Either way, our society/organization retains the ‘status quo’ and have impeded our capability for progress, revealing our collective failure & weakness as a society/organization to support positive change.

So for those of us who:

1. Have authority or influence in a society/organization, be on the lookout for young visionaries, don’t criticize them; rather channel their enthusiasm to drive your group to new heights: even if it goes against the ‘norm’. Don't chase them out to a 'cave'.

2. Feel ‘idealistic’ and enthusiastic about change – especially in your deen: be steadfast and don’t let the environment deter your spirit to mediocrity. And don’t let arrogance or hastiness get the best of you: perhaps your time to flourish has not yet come. We should thank Allah for having blessed us with the desire to get things done right.

May Allah make us amongst those whom the Prophet said, “There will always be a group from my Ummah (who are firm) upon the truth, predominant – whoever abandons them will not harm them – until the order of Allah comes” (Narrated in Tirmidzi)



Remember: it's not easy for a 'new idealist kid on the block' in the work place, to be committed to doing the right thing to do; it's much easier to just stick to "the established work culture", be a likeable fella and not cause any trouble.

And to a greater extent, for the youth to be committed to principles and ideals is no easy task - especially when it comes to being committed to invest in the success Hereafter. The distractions, peer pressure and endless availability of etnertainment options all make it an uphill battle to remain steadfast. 
Which is why the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) described in a hadith, that amongst the seven groups of people who receive the Shade of Allah - on the Day that there will be no shade except His Shade, and the Day where the sun will be held up a mere mile above our heads - one of that group is the youth that has been nurtured to the worship of Allah. 

Those who hold on to their ideals despite the discouraging circumstances. 

May Allah make us amongst those who harness this capability from our youth - ameen!

نَّحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ نَبَأَهُم بِالْحَقِّ إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى

"We narrate unto you (O Muhammad SAW) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance"

وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا فَقَالُوا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَٰهًا لَّقَدْ قُلْنَا إِذًا شَطَطًا

"And We made their hearts firm and strong (with the light of Faith in Allah and bestowed upon them patience to bear the separation of their kith and kin and dwellings, etc.) when they stood up and said: "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief."

  

 

هَٰؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا

"These our people have taken for worship aliha (gods) other than Him (Allah). Why do they not bring for them a clear authority? And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah."

وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا

(The young men said to one another): "And when you withdraw from them, and that which they worship, except Allah, then seek refuge in the Cave, your Lord will open a way for you from His Mercy and will make easy for you your affair (i.e. will give you what you will need of provision, dwelling, etc.)."

(Surah Al-Kahf 18:13 - 16)