Attending to Our Muslim Graduates
By Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen
US
Whenever a student graduates, they have successfully completed a particular academic regime. The Muslim population in the US is overwhelming made up of Muslims immigrants from the developing world and American ethnic minorities. Both of those demographic communities have substantial numbers of their population that do not have access to, or due to economic and institutional barricades, have not attained higher education. Therefore, when Muslim students do graduate, this is a time to recognize their efforts and engage them in the community. Here are some ways to do that.
Devote a khutbah to the Graduates
Imams can emphasize the need to be humble and keep pure intentions. Success often can inflate the Nafs. Graduates should be reminded that their accomplishment is not their own, but rather a mercy and blessing from Allah.
“A nd [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor] ...’”
(Qur’an 14: 7)
In addition, the efforts, interest, vision, sacrifices, and ethics of family, parents and teachers propelled them forward. The human being is always connected to other human beings, and we should all be grateful. Imams can remind students that anything of good that comes to us, comes solely from Allah and that it is Allah Who they have and will call upon when faced with a trial.
“And whatever you have of favor – it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.”
(Qur’an 16:53)
Shower Love
As we remind our graduates to be humble and thankful, we remind ourselves to be loving and concerned. Most of our graduates are youth who need to be nurtured. Every Masjid or Islamic center is attempting to establish and maintain community life for Muslims. This is especially important in the US where Muslims are a minority, often face negative stereotypes, and even bullying. To sustain our youth, we protect their interests. The Masjid newsletter or general announcements after gatherings should include congratulatory greetings to these youth.
Muslims are strengthened by young people who are firmly rooted in Islam and are loved by the community. Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah would say on the Day of Resurrection: where are those who have mutual love for My Glory’s sake? Today I shall shelter them in My shadow when there is no other shadow but the shadow of Mine.” (Muslim)
Connect Muslim Youth
Local Masjids should always connect with Muslim college organizations to mentor the youth. The experiences of Muslim graduates are enhanced when they connect with other Muslims who have already graduated.
A 2019 study by Brown University’s Annenberg Institute for School Reform found that high school students with mentors earned better grades, stayed in school longer, and were more economically sound than their peers who did not have a mentor. The transition for the first-time college student is easier when they have a trusted friend and information source. This is especially important in a world where the new college student will be exposed to all kinds of people with worldviews that drastically differ from their own. Seeking and gaining knowledge from the one who knows and has experience is not only common sense, but ordained in the Qur’an:
“….so ask those who possess knowledge if you do not know”
(Qur’an 16:43)
Engage with the Graduate
Students who have graduated from high school or college should be invited to serve on Masjid governing boards so that the concerns of the youth are heard. In addition, the skills learned should be engaged. Too many Muslim centers place a medical doctor on a school board even though this person has no experience with teaching pedagogy, doesn’t know how to create a lesson plan, doesn’t know how to follow a pacing guide, or maintain classroom control. The medical doctor, dentist or engineer may not possess this knowledge, but the recently graduated student with a degree in Education will mostly have this skill set.
The community as a whole benefits when all members of the community can logically and appropriately contribute to the overall good. This may be graduates working in positions of leadership at the Masjid, or Muslim professionals and businesses referring and connecting graduates to their careers. Either helps establish the new graduate in the society which is a favorable result for all parties.
“Then which of your Lord’s favors will you (humans and jinns) both deny?”
(Qur’an 55:13)
Be Inclusive
Many Masjids or Islamic centers that also run a full-time school mistakenly only acknowledge graduates of their masjid school. Those attending the Masjid school are only a small percentage of the total Muslim student population associated with the center. All Muslim youth should have their accomplishments acknowledged. That includes the little ones graduating from kindergarten, the middle school graduates, and those who attend state run or other private schools. The Masjid can create centers of acknowledgement through social media, Masjid-sponsored activities like a lunch or trip, newspaper articles, or even allowing the students to host their own Halaqas (Islamic study circles). The key is to create no separation between the graduates and to remember all Muslim youth are part of the one community.
“ ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?’”
(Quran 23: 23)
Pray
We can all make Dua that our graduates keep Islam in their hearts. Muslim graduates can be reminded that true success ( Falah) comes from sharing their knowledge and skill in service to others ( Khidmah) and a wholehearted commitment to be a servant of Allah and worshipping Him.
“When My servants ask you about Me, tell them I am quite near; I hear and answer the call of the caller whenever he calls Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me; perhaps they will be guided aright”
(Qur’an 2:186)
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