As a rudimentary, let me say first a few words what is mean by 'civilization,' perhaps some of us are confused with the word 'society.'

Samuel Huntington, who is a Harvard political scientist, defines that "civilization is the broadest level of cultural identity a person has. Civilization to a large extent is defined by religion." Similarly, the essence of Islamic civilization (hadarah) is Islam; or that essence of Islam is tawhid, the act of affirming Allah (s.w.t.) as the creator and master of the entire universe. Tawhid is that which gives Islamic civilization its identity, which binds all its constituents together and makes them an integral organic body which we call civilization. Thus, Muslims regarded tawhid and Islam as the fundamental principle, and the prime source of determining Islamic civilization.

On the other hand, some authors have defined civilization "as a collective system which helps man to the utmost in collecting the fruits of culture." Civilization is composed of four elements: economic means, political set up, moral principles & regulations and consolidations of sciences and arts.

Moreover, Islamic civilization was conceived by the civilized Islamic society, based on the great scientific achievements of the fast. For instance, the mission of science in the concept of Islamic civilized society is not to conquer nature, but to treat it with kindness and attempt to discover it with Allah's instruments.

Nonetheless, the links of civilization are inter-connected, without interruptions, which every nation has been transferring to its successor through ages. With this, that every other civilization can only take pride from their legendary [people]. The same thing with Islamic civilization, that Muslims can inherit those legacies from those distinguished Muslim scholars and scientist who contributed in building the edifice of Muslim civilization.

Among those personalities who made a genuine contribution to Islamic civilization are [is ] the Prophet himself (s.a.w), followed by other Muslim legendary scholars such as: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Shafi’I, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, al-Khalil, Sebawaih, Al-Kindi, Al-Fara’, al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, and many other renowned Muslim scientists like Abu Bakar Al-Razi (865-925 AD), Ibn Sina (880-1037 AD), Al-Battani (877-918); Al-Biruni (973-1048); Umar al-Khayam; al-Khawarizimi (780-850 AD); Jabir Ibn Hayyan and the like, notwithstanding their alien racial and regional affiliations were all regarded the sons of Islam, through whom the Islamic civilization had presented the best result and fruits of healthy thought before humanity.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, the role of the Muslim Tausug youth in an Islamic society or civilization to play is that, they should emulate the footsteps of the Prophet (s.a.w) as a successful religious teacher, an enlightened reformer, a brave warrior, a skillful general, a far-sighted statesman, a sound legislator and ideal leader of man. Moreover, they have to do their best and should excel in all good endeavors. Nontheless, Ibn Rushd made a remarkable advice [for the youth] that "they should logically look into what is said or left by previous people and what they wrote in their books, take whatever is consistent with the truth [Qur'an & Sunnah] and thank them for that, draw attention to whatever contradict truths, warn against it and excuse them for that."

Allah knows best…