Praise be to Allah.
The media have been known to accuse the youth of Islamic revival of being fundamentalists and extremists, but it’s maybe seen as doubting that is the truth.
However, the best way to get a wide understanding of this is through the saying of Allah, His prophet, and the understanding of the Sahabah.
This is probably a mistake from the Christians, communists, Jews, and others. They are trying to put people off the call to Allaah and its supporters. These people want to stop the da’wah by tagging it extremism or fundamentalism and some other names they have made up.
That said, da’wah is part of the religion of the Messengers. Similarly, people of knowledge are obliged and active in calling others to Allah.
However, the youth should fear Allah and adhere to the truth while they should not go extremes or be harsh at any matter of Islam.
The mistake from the media (and others) may happen because some of the youth are ignorant (about some Islamic rulings), so they go to extremes in some matters, or they are lacking in knowledge, which makes them neglect some other matters.
As a result, Muslim youth and others (such as the scholars) must fear Allah and seek the truth with evidence (daleel).
The truth is what Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said. They must beware of bid’ah and exaggeration.
With regard to the media’s mistakes, some people may blame those explaining the religion of Allah, but the fault rests with those who name the youth fundamentalists and extremists.
Note that the enemies of Allah among the Christians and others are following this, and using this as a means of attacking the da’wah and putting an end to it.
But What Does “Fundamentalism” Mean?
If the word ‘fundamentalists’ is informed because they adhere to the fundamentals principles (usool), to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), however, this is not to be condemned.
That said, the condemnation should go to people overdoing things or falling short – when they go to extremes or are harsh or do not do what they have to do.
In that sense, youth (and everyone) should adhere to the fundamentals from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), basic principles of fiqh, ‘aqeedah and hadeeth, that is the basic principles which they follow.
However, if this is the true meaning of ‘fundamentals’ the media is known for broadcasting – Then it’s a good thing.
Conclusion
In short, the daa’iyahs are obliged to adhere to the fundamentals of shari’ah and adhere to the middle course to which Allaah has guided them, for Allaah has made them an Ummah justly balanced
– Al-Baqarah 2:143.
‘So the daa’iyahs have to be justly balanced, treading a middle course between exaggeration and negligence. They have to be steadfast in adhering to the truth and to adhere to it on the basis of shar’i evidence (daleel). There should be neither exaggeration nor negligence, but the moderation that Allaah has enjoined.’ – From Islamqa
May Allah protect the Muslim Umma from the known and unknown plan of the Devil and the likes.