It is from the Sunnah to recite Surah al-Kahf every Friday. We have reflected on different aspects of this surah on many occasions, but today the focus is on young people.
The very first story in Surah al-Kahf is the story of young people. This itself shows the importance of youth in Islam. Young people are often the starting point of change.
In the seerah, the Prophet ﷺ gave special attention to the youth. He nurtured them, guided them, and trusted them with responsibility. Among them were ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and al-Arqam, who was around sixteen years old. Later, in Madinah, many of the companions were young. The first teacher the Prophet ﷺ sent to Madinah was a young man, Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr.
When you look through the seerah, you see the Prophet ﷺ speaking to young companions again and again. Youth carry energy and passion, and they are the heart of change. But this energy needs direction and must be combined with the wisdom of elders. Without guidance, energy can be wasted or even dangerous.
Give practical guidance
The Prophet ﷺ addressed young people directly and gave them practical guidance for managing their desires in a halal way. He encouraged marriage as a means of protecting faith and morality. When speaking to ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas (may Allah be pleased with him), he would address him gently, saying, “O young man” or “O my son”.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O young people, whoever among you can afford it, let him marry, for it lowers the gaze and guards chastity. Whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
On one occasion, three young men came to the mosque to ask about the Prophet’s worship. They spoke to ʿAisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and when they heard about his practices, they thought it was not much. They said that since he was a prophet, his sins were forgiven, but they needed to do more.
One said he would pray all night without sleeping. Another said he would fast every day. The third said he would never marry.
When the Prophet ﷺ heard this, he addressed the people and said that he was the most God-fearing among them, yet he prayed and slept, fasted and ate, and married. He made it clear that Islam does not promote celibacy or extreme behaviour. Balance is essential. Desires are not removed; they are fulfilled in a halal way. He ﷺ taught that the body has rights, the soul has rights, and the family has rights.
The Prophet ﷺ trained his companions carefully. He spoke to them often, gave them responsibility, sent them on missions, and monitored their growth. One example is Usamah ibn Zayd, whom he appointed as a leader at a young age. He had been raised in the Prophet’s ﷺ home, as his adopted son.
Trust young people with responsibility
The example of Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) teaches us something very important about how the Prophet ﷺ worked with young people. He did not only advise them or speak to them kindly; he trusted them. Trust was a key part of their upbringing.
Usamah was not given leadership on a whim or out of nepotism. As he had been raised close to the Prophet ﷺ, he had observed his character, learned from his behaviour, and under his special guidance and care. Just as a needle is magnetised by being close to a magnet, he has naturally imitated the Prophet ﷺ, without even realising it, just as children pick up the habits and manners of those they live with.
By the time he was appointed as a commander, he was ready — not because of his age or lineage, but because of his character and training.
This teaches us that responsibility should not be delayed simply because someone is young, nor should it be given without preparation. The Prophet ﷺ showed that when young people are nurtured properly, guided consistently, and held accountable, they are capable of carrying great responsibility.
Youth do not rise when they are constantly doubted or sidelined. They rise when they are trusted, supported, and given space to grow under wise leadership.
Strengthen their relationship with Allah
A central part of how the Prophet ﷺ nurtured young people was by giving them a firm foundation in their relationship with Allah. He taught them that taqwa is the basis of one’s protection, stability, and direction. Without taqwa, one is weak and susceptible to temptations, ideas and peer pressure.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
احفظ الله يحفظك، احفظ الله تجده تجاهك
“Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you.” (Tirmidhi)
Taqwa is when your obedience comes from conviction that you are accountable to Allah. It is living with the consciousness that Allah sees you, knows you, and is close to you. When a young person has a close relationship with Allah, they develop an inner compass that guides them even when no one else is watching.
This kind of awareness keeps them safe in times of confusion, gives them the strength to resist temptation, and protects them.
Discuss – do not force
The Prophet ﷺ did not teach young people through anger or force. One well-known incident shows this clearly. A young man once came to the Prophet ﷺ and openly asked if he could be allowed to commit zina. The companions were shocked and became angry, but the Prophet ﷺ told them to leave him alone.
He spoke to the young man calmly and asked him:
أترضاه لأمك؟
أترضاه لأختك؟
أترضاه لابنتك؟
“Would you like it for your mother?”
“Would you like it for your sister?”
“Would you like it for your daughter?” (Musnad Ahmad)
Each time, the young man replied no. By remaining calm and respectful and with open dialogue, the Prophet ﷺ helped him understand that desires must be judged by the same moral standards we expect for those we love. Within minutes, the young man understood, without being shouted at, humiliated, or rejected.
This incident shows that the Prophet ﷺ addressed young people with empathy and wisdom. He did not deny their instincts, but he guided them to think responsibly. He taught through conversation, not punishment.
Prepare youth for the Hereafter
The Prophet ﷺ also reminded young people that youth itself is a trust. It is not just a phase to pass through, but a period of responsibility.
He ﷺ said:
لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّىٰ يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ:
عَنْ عُمُرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ،
وَعَنْ شَبَابِهِ فِيمَا أَبْلَاهُ،
وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ،
وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ مَاذَا عَمِلَ بِهِ.
“The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four matters:
about his life and how he spent it,
about his youth and how he used it,
about his wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it,
and about his knowledge — what he did with it.” (Darimi)
This teaching gives youth purpose. Time, energy, health, and ability are all gifts that will be questioned. Youth is not meaningless freedom. It is a window of opportunity. The Prophet ﷺ taught young people to live consciously, to use their strength well, and to prepare early for what lies ahead.
Build moral strength and character
The Prophet ﷺ did not separate worship from character. He taught that faith is not just about belief, but about action. For instance, he showed them not just how to delete sins from our records but how to practically rectify our mistakes when we make them.
He ﷺ said:
اتق الله حيثما كنت، وأتبع السيئة الحسنة تمحها، وخالق الناس بخلق حسن
“Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow a bad deed with a good one and it will erase it. And deal with people with good character.”
This teaching reassures young people that mistakes do not define them. What matters is returning to Allah, correcting oneself, and continuing to grow. Moral strength is not about being perfect. It is about striving.
Give youth belief and clear purpose
Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he was once riding behind the Prophet ﷺ when the Prophet said:
يا معاذ، أتدري ما حق الله على العباد وما حق العباد على الله؟
“O Muadh, do you know the right of Allah over His servants and the right of the servants over Allah?”
The Prophet ﷺ then explained that the right of Allah is that He alone is worshipped, and the right of the servants is that Allah does not punish those who do not associate anything with Him.
When Muadh asked if he should tell others, the Prophet ﷺ said:
لا تبشرهم فيتكلوا
“Do not inform them, lest they rely on it alone.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet ﷺ gave young companions deep knowledge with responsibility. Faith should lead to action, not complacency.
Through these teachings, the Prophet ﷺ addressed young people with realism, not denial of their instincts; with dialogue, not repression; with responsibility, not neglect; with accountability, not heedlessness; and with moral strength, not empty ritual.
This is how he shaped a generation that was spiritually aware, ethically strong, and prepared for both life and the Hereafter.
The prophetic method with youth
The Prophetic approach to nurturing young people was practical, not theoretical. It focused on building character before giving information. It was sensitive to age, ability, and individual differences, and always driven by purpose.
The Prophet ﷺ saw young people as the backbone of change and the builders of the future. He invested in them early, trusted them, guided them, and raised them with wisdom and mercy.
This is the model we need to revive in our homes, our communities, and our institutions today.
Today, we face many challenges, especially in raising our young people. What we need is the Prophetic model, in our homes, our families, and our communities.
We ask Allah Almighty to help us revive the Sunnah and to guide our youth with wisdom, mercy, and balance.
Based on the khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 9th January