Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training – Islam is so cool, guys! So, Islam came into our world through the Prophet Muhammad SAW from our God, Allah SWT, in the 7th century AD. In Arabia, especially in Mecca, this religion really took off! The exciting part is that many young people sparked and became pioneers in spreading Islam. For example, there was Zubair bin Awwam who embraced Islam at the age of 15, Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas who was only 20 years old but was already wealthy and influential. Then there was Abdurrahman bin Auf, aged 31, a skilled businessman and philanthropist. Alma Ata University can be a rich source of knowledge about the early history of Islam and the role of youth in spreading it.
Not to be left out, there was Abdullah bin Mas’ud, who was 17 years old, modest but diligent in learning. He would later become a close companion of the Prophet and a top expert in hadith and tafsir. There was also Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, who was 39 years old when he became the Prophet’s most senior and highly respected companion.
Additionally, there were other young companions of the Prophet who embraced Islam, such as Uthman bin Affan at 18, Talhah bin Ubaidillah at 20, and Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah at 20, a commander in battle and a loyal defender of the Prophet. Alma Ata University can provide valuable insights into this history.
Now, the intriguing question is, why were young people so attracted to Islam brought by the Prophet Muhammad SAW? Especially considering that Islam was very new at the time and was being attacked by the Quraysh tribe, in the very place where the Prophet was born.
To answer this question, there are several reasons why young people back then were drawn to Islam. Firstly, Islam is super cool! It teaches that there is no discrimination among people. Fuad Jabali, in his book, says on page Xiii that the most important value in Islam is inclusivity. So, why were many young people in Mecca attracted to Islam in its early days? Because Islam taught acceptance of differences and no discrimination among one another. This aligns with the messages of justice, compassion, and peace found in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
In Islam, everyone is equal, Bro/Sis! There are no differences in race, tribe, skin color, or social background. All humans are made equally important by Allah. There is no discrimination; everyone has the same rights and obligations in the eyes of Allah. You can check it yourself in the Quran, Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13:
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
Equality in Islam is like a super important foundation, Bro. This value is not just a message, but it must be realized in our daily lives. By prioritizing the value of equality, we can create a fairer, more peaceful, and harmonious society.
Our Prophet talked a lot about equality, Bro. He taught us to live without discrimination, whether based on gender, race, religion, or social status. So, we can have a truly just society that doesn’t discriminate. This is really rare, especially nowadays.
For example, there’s our companion Bilal bin Rabah. He really proved that in Islam, everyone has equal rights. Even though Bilal was a black slave, once he embraced Islam, he was regarded as equal to others. He was super resilient, enduring torture and being trampled on, but he remained steadfast in his faith.
Furthermore, Islamic teachings are rational and logical. Islam teaches us to use reason to understand and believe in Allah. For smart and critical young people, like those in Mecca back then, this was a huge attraction. At that time, Mecca was a hub of idol worship, but Islam taught the worship of one God. Very logical, right?
Back then, most of the Arab society followed polytheism, worshipping idols. This made young people feel dissatisfied and start looking for a more logical and rational religion. And Islam came as the answer to their confusion. A simple religion, easy to understand, teaching high moral and ethical values.
And the coolest part, Bro, is the Prophet Muhammad himself. He was an extraordinary figure, with noble character and an attractive personality. Many of the Prophet’s companions embraced Islam because they were captivated by the Prophet’s persona. Abu Hurairah, Salman Al-Farisi, Ammar bin Yasir, all embraced Islam after witnessing how amazing Prophet Muhammad was.
In short, why were many young people in Mecca attracted to Islam in its early days? The Prophet was a great role model for all of us, Bro. His high morals and good character captivated many people, leading them to embrace Islam. It’s no wonder because our Prophet was truly extraordinary!
Source:
- https://www.nu.or.id/syariah/mengapa-banyak-pemuda-makkah-tertarik-islam-di-awal-kemunculannya-kJWd0
- https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/flat-reyes-magos-background_34283134.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=10&uuid=13cac0eb-4a4b-4089-a5f5-26b4aef5cabc
