Guiding principles from Surah al-Kahf for the development of the Islamic identity of Muslim youth in Canada

Abstract

This study aims to derive guiding principles from Surah al-Kahf to provide an encompassing framework for Muslim youth in Canada to preserve and develop their Islamic identity. Muslims in Canada are a unique population with an array of experiences and backgrounds united by a shared Islamic identity. Although Canada is often recognised as a multicultural nation allowing religious freedoms on a personal level, this multiculturalism has been criticised as being extremely liberal, accommodating the needs of religious minorities only if they confom1 to a Western secular context of religion. This is in direct contrast to the Islamic identity defined by its salient characteristics of a fundamental belief system, a united link to a global ummah, and an encompassing nature, making it inherently influential in all aspects of a Muslim's private and public life. The changing dynamic of the Muslim population in Canada and the importance of identity development at an early age results in the primary focus on Muslim youth. Muslim youth in Canada face a variety of threats in preserving and developing their Islamic identity. The most significant threats include peer pressure, assimilation, materialism, corrupt desires, religious doubt, loss of religion in society, and Islamophobia. The study begins with an introduction to the Islamic identity, an evaluation of the current state of Muslim youth in Canada, and background of Surah al-Kahf . Then, an inductive approach was used to analyse the four major narratives of the Sirah: the companions of the cave, the companion of the two gardens, Musa and Khidr, and the narrative of Dhu al-Qamayn. This was done through a methodological process of gathering, comparing, and analysing the discussions of the mufassirun in both classical and modern tafsir in relation to the four main narratives. Through this process, the study extracted seven guiding principles for developing the Islamic identity of Muslim youth in Canada. These guiding principles deal specifically with the major threats faced by Muslim youth in preserving their Islamic identity. Through the first narrative, the companions of the cave, four guiding principles were extracted relating to the threats of peer pressure, assimilation, and Islamophobia. The second narrative of the companion of the two gardens provided a principle in dealing with materialism and corrupt desires. The third narrative of Musa and Khidir was the source for a principle dealing with the threats of religious doubt and the loss of religion in society. The fourth and final narrative of Dhu al-Qarnayn personified the application of all the previous principles illustrating the importance of providing the Muslim youth with an exemplary role model. These seven guiding principles provide applicable solutions that can be used to protect and develop the Islamic identity against specific threats. This study serves as a crucial step in finding solutions lo the challenges and threats faced hy Muslim youth as minorities in preserving their Islamic identity. These principles. If followed sincerely. can empower Muslim youth by transforming them into confident and successful leaders through their Islamic identity. ensuring their success in botl1 this world and the hereafter.