Communal Responsibility
continued from page 19
ships, and brother/sister relationships
are all suffering due to the individualist
mentality, which has creeped
into Muslims. As Muslims, we have
responsibilities towards our families,
neighbors, and society at large.
We are responsible in ensuring our
brothers and sisters across the globe
are prospering. The burden of this
collective responsibility should weigh
even more heavily on our shoulders
in light of the Covid-19 pandemic,
which continues to ravage communities
across the globe. Our brothers
and sisters are in need. People are
struggling financially, emotionally,
and even spiritually. Ensuring we are
doing whatever we can to help others
during this desperate time is our religious
and moral responsibility. We
have been warned by the Messenger
of Allah a:
“Each of you is responsible and will
be asked about your responsibility”
(Bukhari).
Now, more than ever, it is time to
heed that warning. Otherwise, each
one of us will be questioned and held
accountable.
a disservice to our future generations
and goes against the teachings of
compassion to our youth.
We know that times are changing; every
day is proof of this. While Islam,
with all its principles and lessons is
perfect, we need to understand that
the way we present these lessons to
younger generations around us needs
to change. To reach the hearts of the
youngest among us, we need to look
deeply into what divides us and work
past that. After all, the Prophet a did
not preach Islam to a willing nation.
The first people to hear the message
of truth not only shunned him, but
they physically and verbally abused
him and his followers. We may find it
difficult to teach and mentor a group
of adolescents who are not interested
in what we have to say, but we can
find comfort in the fact that we are
following the footsteps of our beloved
Prophet a and hope that Allah accepts
and puts barakah in our efforts because
of it. That being said, there are still a
few methods we can use that may help
bridge the gap between our generations
and aid our youth in feeling connected
to Allah and the Prophet a.
Bridging the Gap
To connect with the youth in our lives,
we need to first remember that people
are more receptive to advice about religious
and/or personal matters when
it comes from a friend. While it may
seem cynical, one has no real reason
to believe that a stranger has their
betterment in mind when they give
them advice. Having a connection is
vital in leaving a message that lingers.
How can we connect and leave a
message of knowledge that our future
generations spread? By becoming
their friends. Finding out about their
interests, gaining their trust, sharing
common experiences or passions
with them, joking around with them,
supporting their dreams and hopes,
lending a shoulder to cry on-- these
are all ways we show our friends we
care about them. An age difference
does not negate that. You can still
have all these traits in a relationship,
whether that person is your age or
not. When we build a relationship
with our children that rests outside
of strict familial ties, that is when
we can truly learn how to share our
knowledge with them. It is difficult to
make a stranger understand your love
or passion for something, but when
we befriend our students and young
ones, they will begin to realize that
our personality and the nature of our
relationship all come from a desire to
please Allah and follow his Prophet a.
On a similar note, we must remember
that mistakes need to be made
in order for learning and growth to
occur. We cannot cut ties with the
younger members of our communities
because they make a mistake or
a lapse of good judgement. That is
what we should be here for. Once a
mistake is made, we need to continue
to provide support that allows them
to use what we have taught about the
Deen to then make amends. Shaming
them or discontinuing contact with
them because of a sin or mistake only
alienates them. Remember: hate the
sin, not the sinner.
With these thoughts in mind, I ask
Allah to give us all the ability to
build connections with our children
and other young adults in our lives.
May He give us the compassion and
kindness we need to plant the seeds of
love for His Deen in their hearts. May
He guide us, and in turn, make us a
source of guidance for them, so that
they may become the sparks today
that light up the flame tomorrow.
Ameen.
A Spark Today, Lights Up Our Tomorrow
continued from page 21
30 January – February 2021 | AL-MADINAH