It is fundamentally important to grasp the immense significance of the youth and their impact on society. The world we inhabit today is a direct exemplification of the youth of yesterday, and, consequently, the world of tomorrow will be the exemplification of the youth of today. In essence, the youth play an integral role in shaping the world. If they are trained to be constructive and responsible, the world will reflect that responsibility. Conversely, if they are allowed to become irresponsible and destructive, we will undoubtedly face a future of destruction and disaster.
This principle is historically substantiated by the early Muslim community. Many of the Companions (Ṣaḥābah) of Rasūlullāh (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam) were, in fact, youth. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam) masterfully shaped their minds in such a way that they were able to contribute towards a perfect way of life and successfully established a lasting legacy.
The Unique War of the Modern Youth
We must recognize and understand the current mindset of the youth and the profound challenges they face. Their difficulties are primarily fueled by the rapid advancement and evolution in technology. The youth of today are confronted with a unique kind of war—one that no other generation of youth in history has had to fight.
A common challenge is the perception among teenagers that all forms of entertainment are Ḥarām (forbidden). It is vital to remember that there is an inherent reason for every prohibition in Sharī‘ah, even if that prohibition appears to go against our immediate logic or intelligence.
The Wisdom of Prohibition
This reality is best explained through an analogy. A father prohibits his son from consuming or ingesting poison. The child, due to his limited understanding, does not comprehend the harm of the poison and feels disillusioned with his father’s "diplomatic attitude" of prohibition. However, the father, with superior knowledge, does not relent. In the same way, Allāh is Al-Ḥakīm (The All-Wise). He prohibits us from certain actions and things according to His infinite wisdom and knowledge. The believer's duty is to trust the wisdom and infinite knowledge of Allāh and submit completely to His guidance.
The Distinction in Outlook and Identity
It is inherent to human nature to err and sin. We are not sin- and error-proof; if we were, there would be no distinction between us and the angels. However, we have a distinct way of life, guided by the Qur'ān and Sunnah, and our ultimate destination is the Akhirah (the Hereafter). We should not restrict enjoyment to what the West and the disbelievers have indoctrinated us to believe as enjoyment.
Allāh describes the outlook of those who prioritize worldly enjoyment in the Qur'ān:
{وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ الْأَنْعَامُ وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَهُمْ} [محمد: 12]
Translation: “The disbelievers while away their time in enjoyment of the world, eat and drink like that of livestock. The fire of hell is their final abode.” (Muḥammad: 12)
They possess a fundamentally different outlook to life. Believers should not become overwhelmed or harbor an inferiority complex when faced with this materialistic view. Instead, we must be proud of our Islamic identity and the fact that our lives are governed by the Sharī‘ah.
Nurturing the Youth: Islamic vs. Western Values
Therefore, it is essential that we nurture our youth with Islamic values and not the Western values, just as Rasūlullāh (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam) did with the Ṣaḥābah (Radhiyallahu Anhum). Western values, ideologies, and indoctrinations have a demonstrably damaging impact on the minds of the youth.
A comparison vividly highlights the contrasting effects:
| Islamic Values | Western Values | Effect of Western Values |
| From a young age, the existence of Allāh is indoctrinated in the mind | From a young age, the non-existence of Allāh is indoctrinated in the mind | Atheism, Agnosticism, and Apostasy |
| Nurtured to stay within the boundaries of Sharī‘ah | Liberal way of thinking | Pursuing passions and desires |
| Religion and worship are key elements in a person’s life | Religion and worship are separated from everyday life | No peace and contentment in life |
| Ethical and moral business ethos | Nurtured with prejudice and immoral business ethos | Exploitation, manipulation, corruption etc |
| Respect for humanity at large | Religion, colour, lust, and creed as basis for judgment | Nationalism and racism |
| Focus on the Rights of others | Self-centred and selfish | Surge in disputes, both on a micro and macro level |
| Shame and modesty | Shamelessness and nudity | Promiscuity, rape, children born out of wedlock etc |
A life rooted in Tawḥīd (monotheism), following the laws of Sharī‘ah, characterized by peace and contentment, altruism, social conscience, equality, unity, and chastity, leads to a life of eternal success. This stands in stark contrast to the life promoted by the effects of Western values, which risks eternal disaster.
The Critical Importance of Company
The key component to the life of a teenager is his or her company. In the present era, company is no longer restricted to who one socializes with physically. With technological advancements, social circles have evolved; social media enables the global village to interact freely.4 This digital space is populated by all types of company from different ideologies (Ism’s), including secularists, lesbians, liberals, and LGBTQ apologetics alike—some advertising fake lives, others bragging about excessive wealth.
Therefore, just as it is imperative that teenagers choose their physical social circles wisely, so too must they be vigilant on social media. What they see and hear on these platforms impacts the way they think and behave. Hence, whether on Instagram, Twitter, or other platforms, it is imperative that they are wise and alert regarding who they follow.
The danger of bad company is underlined by the prophetic teachings:
Regarding the Impact of Company:
الْمَرْءُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلْ
(مسند احمد: 8417)
Translation: “A person is upon the religion of his friend. So be wary as to whom you befriend.” (Musnad Aḥmad: 8417)
Regarding the Virtue of Pious Youth:
The youth who are properly guided are among those specially honored by Allāh:
سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ، يَوْمَ لاَ ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ: الإِمَامُ العَادِلُ، وَشَابٌّ نَشَأَ فِي عِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ، وَرَجُلٌ قَلْبُهُ مُعَلَّقٌ فِي المَسَاجِدِ، وَرَجُلاَنِ تَحَابَّا فِي اللَّهِ اجْتَمَعَا عَلَيْهِ وَتَفَرَّقَا عَلَيْهِ، وَرَجُلٌ طَلَبَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالٍ، فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ، وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ، أَخْفَى حَتَّى لاَ تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِينُهُ، وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ
(صحيح البخاري: 660)
Translation: “Allāh will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are) a just ruler, a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allāh (i.e. worships Allāh sincerely from childhood), a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid, two persons who love each other only for Allāh's sake and they meet and part in Allāh's cause only, a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allāh, a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given and a person who remembers Allāh in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears.” (Bukhārī: 660)
The second person mentioned to receive Allāh’s shade is a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allāh, highlighting the immense merit in guarding youth against temptations.
Permissible Forms of Enjoyment (Ḥalāl Fun)
Many people operate under the misconception that having fun is entirely Ḥarām. That is incorrect. It is absolutely permissible to have Ḥalāl forms of fun and relaxation, such as:
- Physical Activity: Exercise is a widely accepted trend. One can engage in many cross-fit or general workouts at home with friends or siblings.
- Sports & Recreation: Organizing sports events with friends, engaging in horse riding, archery, swimming, cycling, skating, or rollerblading.
- Outdoor Activities: Encouraging scholars and adults to spend weekends organizing stimulating events with the youth like camping, hiking, vacations, quad biking, hunting, or fishing.
- Intellectual Growth: Reading appropriate literature was a common trend among the youth of the past and is a beneficial activity that enhances the mind and thought of an individual.
We sincerely make Du‘ā’ (supplication) that Allāh Ta‘ālā protect and guide the youth to success in this life and the Hereafter. Āmeen.
