Islamic Studies

Quote for the Youth

“We understand as Imams that you young people are going through difficulties. And our message to you is:


Keep struggling – we support you. You’re gonna make mistakes…if you make mistakes, we’ll be there for you.

This is the message that we need to give to young people.

We’re not here to indict you, but to invite you – and to tell you that we’re proud of you, and we believe in you – because you represent the fusion of the Western Muslim identity.

And indeed the painting which lies before this community, this empty canvas will be painted by the hands of the youth.”

About the author

Suhaib Webb

Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer. His work bridges classical and contemporary Islamic thought, addressing issues of cultural, social and political relevance to Muslims in the West. After converting to Islam in 1992, Webb left his career in the music industry to pursue his passion in education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received intensive private training in the Islamic Sciences under a renowned Muslim Scholar of Senegalese descent. Webb was hired as the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, where he gave khutbas (sermons), taught religious classes, and provided counselling to families and young people; he also served as an Imam and resident scholar in communities across the U.S.

From 2004-2010, Suhaib Webb studied at the world’s preeminent Islamic institution of learning, Al-Azhar University, in the College of Shari`ah. During this time, after several years of studying the Arabic Language and the Islamic legal tradition, he also served as the head of the English Translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah.

Outside of his studies at Al-Azhar, Suhaib Webb completed the memorization of the Quran in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He has been granted numerous traditional teaching licenses (ijazat), adhering to centuries-old Islamic scholarly practice of ensuring the highest standards of scholarship. Webb was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in 2010.

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  • Sometimes people say things that affect others to the very core, and more often than not they are completely unaware of it. It could have been a remark in passing, or it could have been heard by someone we never even intended to speak to.

    JazakAllah khayr for all of your efforts Shaykh Suhaib. Whatever fitnah or criticism comes you way, please remember that there are people out there (even if it’s just 1 or 2) who need to hear voices like yours, and our other imams. And ponder on the fact that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala could use you as a medium to lead His servants back to Him. What a noble tasks, and what a blessed gift.

    May Allah preserve Shaykh Suhaib and the Ummah of Muhammad, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

  • masha’allah imam suhaib is the 1st imam iv ever heard who actually understands that as youths we will make mistakes but still shows that we can come back to islam if we repent. most elders in the community including parents would disown their kids if they found out what kind of mistakes theyv made! alhamdulillah im so happy that i had a chance to attend imam suhaibs protest to engagement talk in february this year which gave me hope & encouragement. may Allah be with you always. ameen

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