How can young man sit on Prophet's ﷺ cloak?

Masjid Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque in Madina)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Jarir Ibn Abdallah (ra) walked into the gathering as the Prophet (ﷺ) was speaking. People were sitting on the left and on the right. There was nowhere for him to sit. Seeing this, the blessed Prophet (ﷺ) gave his cloak to Jarir to sit on.

Such an honour given to this young man by the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ).

It tells us many things about how the Prophet (ﷺ) treated and raised the youth. Lessons for how we should also raise our youth.

How do we treat our youth?

Do we exclude them from important events and discussions?

Do we seek their opinions and advice?

Do we honour them as the Prophet (ﷺ) honoured Jarir Ibn Abdallah (ra)?

Young and old living parallel lives

In some Muslim societies, the culture is that the young should not be seen or heard. So, adults are downstairs discussing whilst young men and women are in their room on the internet. Some of the youngsters grow up hardly mixing with elders or benefiting from their wisdom and experience.

In some cultures, youth are only left to deal with trivial matters. “They are too young” is what some parents keep saying even about a 20-year-old.

Yet, after some years, these young men and women will be leaders running households, businesses, Mosques, Islamic institutions and even countries.

Prophet (ﷺ) gave youth a seat at the table

At that gathering, He (ﷺ) gave His blessed cloak for the young man to sit on. The Prophet (ﷺ) brought young sahaba to the decision-making table.

We have examples like Imam Ali (ra), Musab Ibn Umayr (ra), Abdallah Ibn Masud (ra) and many who became leaders of this ummah but who started as youngsters in the time of the Prophet (ﷺ).

They were taught the Qur’an and the love of Allah (swt) by the Prophet (ﷺ). Their morals, values, likes and dislikes were shaped by their constant mixing and in the presence of Rasul Allah (ﷺ).

The Prophet (ﷺ) was in his 50s and 60s yet these youth in their teens and 20s felt comfortable around him and were happy to learn from him.

He (ﷺ) always created a welcoming atmosphere for the young showing them affection and attention.

Can the same be said of us?

Today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders

When the Prophet (ﷺ) established the Islamic state in Madinatul Munawwarah, it is no surprise that these young men and women became some of the leaders, ambassadors, judges and commanders of the Islamic army that carried dawah to mankind.

We have the example of Musab Ibn Umayr (ra), Imam Ali (ra), Jarir Ibn Abdallah (ra) and many others.

Today, we must raise Muslim youth who will again create change in the world for the sake of Allah (swt).

For that, we need to look to the Prophetic example for how to raise Muslims who love and practice Islam and strive to bring back the Islamic civilisation that will again be a mercy for all of mankind - seeking the Pleasure of Allah (swt).

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Love and salams,
Taji

🧔 What have I been up to?

Discussing with an Indonesian student I met locally. He's here studying at a London university. When you have visited someone's homeland, speak some phrases of their language and are Muslim, the connection is instantaneous. Alhamdulillah.

I’ve also been watching Think Media’s The Next 5 Big YouTube Trends In 2023 so we can adjust video production inshaAllah. This video makes interesting points about using AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools.

📖 Ayah and Hadith

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Make things easy and do not make things difficult. Give glad tidings and do not repel people.”

[Bukhari & Muslim]

Quote of the Week

“A man should be like a child with his wife, but if he is needed, he acts like a man.” – Umar Ibn Al-Khattab

[Al-Mujaalasah wa Jawaahir Al-‘Ilm]

❤ My Favourite Things

Article – – “The 1-Minute Mindset Shift That Ended My Procrastination Habit” by Eve Arnold on Medium