The Thinking Muslim Dr Tareq Al-Suwaidan – ‘I Believe Young People Will Change the World’
Sep 16, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Tareq Al-Suwaidan, a renowned Muslim author and historian, emphasizes the transformative power of youth in shaping society. He draws inspiration from the Prophet Muhammad’s encouragement of young leaders, illustrating this with examples like Usama ibn Zayd and Ali ibn Abi Talib. Dr. Al-Suwaidan explores the historical significance of young companions in early Islam and the critical role mentorship plays in developing ethical leaders. He urges listeners to recognize the potential of the younger generation to drive impactful change.
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Youth Dominated The Early Community
- The companions (sahaba) around the Prophet ﷺ were unusually young, often under 20 years old.
- This youthfulness reframes early Islamic leadership as driven by young, energetic people rather than elders.
Intensive Early Training Built Leaders
- Small early community size and intense daily training explain rapid leadership development.
- Thirteen years of focused faith and ethics training produced statesmen from very few people.
Ethics First, Law Came Later
- Early Meccan Muslims practiced mainly faith and ethics because legal rulings came later.
- Deep ethical formation, more than formal laws, underpinned their later public roles.