Little Anas (ra) and His Important Errand
Anas Ibn Malik (ra) said; “The Prophet ﷺ , came to me while I was playing with other children and greeted me with Salaam, then he sent me on an errand which delayed me from getting to my mother on time. When I finally reached home, she asked: ‘What delayed you?’ I replied: ‘The Prophet ﷺ , sent me on an errand.’ She asked: ‘What was it?’ I replied: ‘It is a secret!’ She said, ‘Do not tell the Prophet’s ﷺ secret to anyone.’” [Muslim]🌕
The Prophet ﷺ invested in the youth and placed much trust in them. Take also the example of Mus`ab ibn `Umayr (ra). Before his conversion, he had been an idle child who indulged in great luxuries, spoilt by his family’s wealth. Later he redirected his life towards a new interest, prayer, and a simple life. The Prophet ﷺ selected Mus`ab (ra) a worthy youth, to carry out the task of teaching Islam to the people of Yathrib despite their being many more older, excellent people to choose from such as Umar (ra) or Uthman (ra).
The Prophet ﷺ didn’t hesitate to assign youth with pivotal roles or chores despite their age. He gave the youth a variety of opportunities to bolster their self-esteem. The youth in return felt empowered because the Prophet ﷺ entrusted them with serious tasks like leading prayers, memorising Quran, becoming muadhins, or scribes who mastered languages.
In ways it is a rite of passage for some youth that see them eager to take on responsibilities, desire recognition as young individuals on the brink of adulthood; with thoughts, opinions, a yearning for independence and the need to spread their wings.
The Prophet ﷺ harnessed their energy and talents to make them useful members of the community, enriching their lives in the pursuit of helping others. Is it any wonder when you consider this; there is a time, a place most precious in human life and the time of youth is a period of huge potential.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” [Shu’ab al-Imān]🌙
𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of 𝗦.𝗡.𝗝𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗶 ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, Islamic chapter books for kids📚)
