If we briefly reflect on the life of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and deeply examine his decisions and interactions, we find that his focus was primarily on the youth. He would listen to their words, overlook their faults, and strive to engage them within the framework of their emotions, managing their sentiments and feelings appropriately.
Moreover, if we look at the battles of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the era of the Companions, we see that it was the youth who brought about the great victories and significant events. From Sayyed Ali (MABH) to the other Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), all were young, and the progress of the true religion of Islam owes much to the efforts and sacrifices of these young individuals.
Given the importance of youth, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) attached great significance to young people and repeatedly stated: «أوصيكم بالشباب خيرا فإنهم أرق أفئدة، ألا وإن الله بعثني بالحنيفية السمحة، فحالفني الشباب وخالفني الشيوخ» Translation: “I advise you to treat the youth well, for they have softer hearts. Verily, when Allah sent me with the pure and easy religion, it was the youth who pledged allegiance to me, while the elders opposed me.”
If we examine the lives of the senior Companions (Sahaba), we find that most of them embraced Islam in their youth. Abu Bakr (MABH), Umar (MABH), Uthman (MABH), and Ali (MABH) were all under the age of forty.
Youth is one of the five things we have been commanded to value. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «اغتنم خمسا قبل خمس: شبابك قبل هرمك، وصحتك قبل سقمك، وفراغك قبل شغلك، وغناك قبل فقرك، وحياتك قبل موتك» Translation: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your free time before your busyness, your wealth before your poverty, and your life before your death.”
All of these are valuable opportunities that must be seized: the opportunity of youth, health, wealth, free time, and above all, the opportunity of life.
From among all the Muslims at that time, the Prophet (PBUH) chose Mus‘ab ibn Umayr as his envoy. Mus‘ab, a young man who had memorized much of the Qur’an and was one of its reciters, was sent to Madinah. He stayed at the home of As‘ad ibn Zurarah and would go out every day, visiting the homes and tribes of the Ansar, inviting them to Islam and reciting the Qur’an for them.
This faithful, passionate, and wise young man fulfilled his mission excellently. It wasn’t long before all segments of Madinan society—especially the youth—accepted his invitation and embraced Islam.
Among all his companions, the Prophet (PBUH) appointed a 21-year-old youth named Attab ibn Asid as the governor of Makkah, entrusting him with this great responsibility.
In the final days of his noble life, the Prophet (PBUH) ordered the Muslims to prepare for war against the Romans and instructed them to swiftly get ready for the campaign. He appointed Usama ibn Zayd (MABH), an eighteen-year-old, as the commander of the army.
As mentioned in the hadith: “وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “لا تزول قدما ابن آدم يوم القيامة حتى يُسأل عن خمس: عن عمره فيما أفناه، وعن شبابه فيما أبلاه، وعن ماله من أين اكتسبه، وفيما أنفقه، وماذا عمل فيما علم؟” رواه الترمذي. وقال: هذا حديث غريب”. Translation: Narrated by Ibn Mas‘ud (MABH), the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The feet of the son of Adam will not move on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about five things: his life and how he spent it; his youth and how he used it; his wealth—where he earned it from and how he spent it; and his knowledge—what he did with it.” (Tirmidhi: Hasan Gharib)
According to this hadith, on the Day of Judgment, one will be questioned twice regarding his youth—once as part of his overall lifespan, and once specifically about that phase of life. This highlights the critical importance of youth, a time when a person reaches full potential in all human capabilities and can accomplish things that are not possible during childhood, adolescence, or old age.
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