The Energy and Promise of Shabab

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الحسن والحسين سيدا شباب اهل الجنة

'Hasan and Husain are the leaders of the youth - Shabab - of Jannat.'

(Rasulullah SA)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2016.

In celebration of the 51^st Dai’s completion of 50 years as Dai al-Mutlaq, young Mumineen organized a function - it was in this function that Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA established Shababul Eid-e-Zahabi (The Youngsters of the Golden Jubilee). Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA led the organization of the function so that youngsters would have an opportunity to directly express their gratitude for Syedna Taher Saifuddin’s RA benevolence and affection especially towards them. Below is an excerpt from the Golden Panorama about the event:

In his speech on this occasion, Syedna Taher Saifuddin announced that he was making the group of Mumineen youngsters who had organised this function a permanent sansthaa. He named the group Shababul Eid-e-Zahabi (Youngsters-Shabab-of the Golden Jubilee). He explained that, “Rasulullah SA has said Hasan and Husain are the leaders of the youth - Shabab - of Jannat (‘al-Hasanu wal-Husainu Sayyidaa Shababi ahlil Jannah’), and so I have named this group ‘Shabab’.”

Syedna recited his own verse: O Lord, in the service of the progeny of the Wasi Ali, turn my old age into youth (‘aya rabbi-j’alan fi khidmati ibn-il-wassiyyil murtada shaybi shababi’). Syedna Taher Saifuddin mandated that the constitution of Shabab was the service and the khidmat of Dai, and Da’wat, and the welfare of Mumineen. On this occasion, Syedna Taher Saifuddin designated Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin as Zaeem al-Shabab (leader of the Shabab). Local Shabab units were formed in all major cities where Mumineen resided. In all centers, Mumbai in particular, the Shabab undertook many projects and activities for Da’wat khidmat and Mumineen’s welfare.

There are many, many anecdotes about Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA spending many hours with youngsters – he intently listened about their interests, their challenges and their aspirations and spent priceless hours providing counsel and advise. He instilled in many of them a sense of purpose, balance, and direction in life. Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA listened with understanding and made it a priority to guide them through both small and big challenges in their lives.

Youth is a time filled with energy and promise. Syedna Taher Saifuddin’s RA guidance resulted in many youngsters of our community personally and collectively contributing a great deal to the khidmat of Dawat and the welfare of Mumineen. At the same time, they achieved great milestones in their own lives as lawyers, doctors and businessmen. They contributed – and continue to contribute – to their community and the society they live in. Through Syedna Taher Saifuddin’s RA guidance of their own engagement and involvement in activities, they became more passionate, kind, and successful persons.

The spirit of Shabab continues today as it has in the time of the 52^nd and the 53^rd Dais. For example, the work of the Sijill team is one of the many manifestations of the dedicated effort and energy of youngsters who have been guided, nurtured and pricelessly counseled by Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA. His successor, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS, continues to engage, inspire, and guide youngsters today.

It is easy, especially in this day and age, to become disillusioned and apathetic. However often apathy results in many missed opportunities. In the context of the challenges faced by Dawat today, are also immense opportunities, particularly for Shabab. There are many youngsters who are actively involved in Dawat today and we invite more to do so. Rightly guided activism can be incredibly engaging and fulfilling. The program announced below is to allow for an opportunity for youngsters in our community to develop a better understanding of Dawat, to get involved, and to make a difference.