Evaluation of the Islamic identity of youth in the light of hadith and sunnah: (The case of Ağrı)

Youth period is an important stage where individuals transition from childhood to adulthood, experiencing rapid changes in emotional, physical, and social adaptation. During this period, young individuals try to shape their identities, gain independence, and make significant decisions about their lives. This period, in which our youth move with curiosity and a desire to explore, is one of the most dynamic and exciting times in life. However, it is also filled with uncertainties, anxieties, and difficulties. While discovering themselves and the world, young people learn how to cope with different aspects of life. These learning experiences are also very important for their religious quest. For this reason, as an educator, I want to investigate the perception of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the minds of our young people, especially in the context of their Islamic identity formation. The first part of our study includes a brief and concise informational section about Prophet Muhammad and his young Companions, who serve as role models for every aspect of young people's lives. Then, for the originality of our research, the survey prepared by us and the statistical data of the survey are shared. In the final part, through the survey we applied, we aim to identify and examine the Islamic identity problems experienced by young people today, along with references provided in the context of verses and hadiths, and to analyze and evaluate these issues. As a result of this research, based on the perception of Prophet Muhammad in the minds of high school students studying in Ağrı province, we will learn how other young people in our country are also conscious of these issues. Our main goal is to understand the causes of Islamic identity problems through the findings obtained and to address the fundamental factors that pose obstacles for young people, such as family, education, environment, role models, by exemplifying the Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad, and the young Companions.