Sheikh Bakhit calls on youth to emulate the faith of the People of the Cave
By Ahmed Idriss
Sheikh Bakhit Cucu, the Secretary for Education at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), has urged young Muslims to strengthen their belief and obedience to Allah, saying true transformation begins with a strong faith system anchored in Islam.
Delivering the Friday sermon at the Gaddafi National Mosque, Sheikh Bakhit drew lessons from Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18 of the Qur’an), describing it as “the chapter of the youth” and a divine recognition of the potential and responsibility of young believers.
“Allah gave the youth a full chapter in the Qur’an — Surah Al-Kahf — to show His love for them. Youth begins in Islam at the age of 18 and ends at 30. This is the age of strength, beauty, and energy, but it should also be the age of obedience,” Bakhit said.
He likened today’s youth to the Ashabul Kahf (People of the Cave), young believers who stood firm in their faith despite persecution under King Decius, a ruler who declared himself a god. Sheikh Bakhit narrated how these youths resisted false worship and sought refuge in a cave, trusting Allah to protect them.
“They were not poor or ignorant, but they refused to bow to falsehood. Their system of belief was so strong that nothing could corrupt it. Allah tested their hearts and found them firm, so He strengthened them and granted them His mercy,” he said.
Bakhit explained that Allah preserved the People of the Cave for 309 years, protecting them through miraculous means — putting them to sleep, keeping their bodies intact, and ensuring light and oxygen reached them in the cave.
He noted that this story symbolizes divine protection for those whose faith remains unshaken even in times of trial.
“If your heart is strong, Allah strengthens you. But if your heart is weak, Allah hides you for your weakness,” Sheikh Bakhit said, urging believers to “believe, behave, and become what Allah wants them to be.”
He cautioned against the modern tendency of turning to God only in times of difficulty, reminding Muslims that gratitude should come before supplication.
“If you only pray when there’s a problem, then even your prayer has a problem. Pray to thank Allah for the life, health, and happiness He has given you, not only when you are in need,” he advised.
The UMSC education secretary also warned that the world is not a comfort zone but a test of faith and endurance.
“This world is not a comfort zone; it’s a whole zone of tests. The People of the Cave understood this and chose a permanent solution — faith in Allah — over temporary worldly comfort,” he said.
Bakhit challenged today’s youth to transform the religious knowledge they acquire into positive action.
“Information becomes valuable only when it transforms you. Information should lead to transformation, and transformation should lead to transfiguration,” he said.
He also criticized growing global sentiments that religion should be removed from education systems, calling such thinking misguided.
“Some intellectuals today say religion should not be taught in schools, claiming it causes division. But the People of the Cave remind us that true liberation comes from turning to Allah, not away from Him,” he said.
Concluding his sermon, Bakhit prayed for Muslim youth to be guided like the Ashabul Kahf, standing firm in faith and resisting corruption in all its forms.
“They believed, behaved, and became people of Allah. If we do the same, Allah will also guide and protect us,” he said.
