The Period of Youth
If we examine the life of an average human, we come to realize that life consists of four periods. Childhood: This usually lasts for thirteen to fourteen years. The teenage years which usually lasts for six to eight years depending on when he gets married, (The Period of Youth). The third part of his life is from the time he gets married until his old age, which usually lasts for merely twenty to thirty years, and then lastly his old age whose exact time period cannot be said with certainty, depending on when death takes him.
Now out of these four parts of an average human life, the most crucial stage of his life is the period of youth. The period of youth is a time when a person goes through many changes and experiences; he undergoes and partake many new things which he has never experienced before. The youth begins to feel as though he has control over the whole world, and that he can do whatever he wishes. His desires are increasing day by day becoming attached to the opposite sex, he enjoys lustfully gazing and flirting with them..
Now, this is that period of his life that if he was to control his desires a bit, and sacrifice a few of these devilish desires, he can become a future role-model for Muslims. He can become a leader for his community, and the biggest achievement he can gain is success in the hereafter.
As being admitted into paradise, and being saved from the hell fire, is, in reality truly the greatest success a person can gain. Allah has described this as a ‘great success' in the Holy Qur'an.
The reason why this period of human life is so important and crucial is because this period of youth is generally what determines the way in which this period of his life is spent. If he spends this period of his life in an Islamic environment, visiting the Masjid for the five daily prayers, associating with the pious people and the true scholars of Islam, sitting in their gatherings, then, it is greatly hoped that he will spend the rest of his life in the same way.
On the other hand, if the youth stays away from the Masjid and doesn't associate himself with the pious and scholars of Islam, but spends his time visiting the pubs/clubs, associating himself with girls and mischievous people, then it is most likely that the rest of his life will be spent in a similar manner, away from the Masjid and away from Deen, except if Allah wishes otherwise.
Just like everything, life is also a gift from Allah and every aspect of it should be regarded as a gift and a trust from Allah. Allah expects us to spend this youth in His worship and obedience, seeking knowledge of Islam and acting upon it. This in itself is a form of gratefulness.
In a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah May Allah send peace and blessings upon him said that the feet of the son of Adam will not be able to move until he is questioned regarding four things.
Out of these four questions, one question asked will be regarding how one spent his time as a youth. In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah May Allah send peace and blessings upon him has said that on the Day of Judgement, there are seven types of people to whom Allah will give shade to. It is stated in Bukhari that on the Day of Judgement there will be no shade except for Allah's shade. And from amongst these groups, one group will be those youth who spent their youth in the worship of Allah.
The reason being is because a youth has many desires, so whosoever goes against his desires and controls them in this delicate period of youth, and obeys the command of Allah, and tries his best to follow the Islamic Shariah, in such a time of his life when his desires are at their peak, then Allah will give him a great reward.
Once the great Imam Abu Hanifah (rahamtullahe alayhe) was giving advice to his student Imam Abu Yusuf (rahamtullahe alayhe). He said that in your youth you should spend your time in seeking Islamic knowledge, and thereafter seek a job, and when you get enough money then you should get married.
Once a pious servant of Allah saw an old man in great pain. On seeing him in this state, he remarked that the old man did not take care of Allah's rules in his youth.
Similarly, a wise man once said that how many old men are there who repent to Allah. How great would it be to see youngsters repenting to Allah.
Therefore, the period of youth is a very delicate and important period in a Muslim's life. If spent in the right way his time as a youth will benefit not only himself but also others. By visiting the Masjid, attending the gatherings of the scholars of Islam and seeking their advice and knowledge, serving one's parents and trying to carry out Allah Taa'la's orders to the best of ability then it is greatly hoped that one will grow up to become a leader of the Muslim community and become the coolness of one's parents eyes. If wasted by continuously committing sins, disobeying Allah's commands, then it is possible that on the Day of Judgment Allah will reprimand him regarding this.
So dear youngster! Realise your value and importance for the future fate of the Ummah lies in your hands. May Allah guide and protect us all on the day of Judgement. Ameen
ameen from me aswell.
But it is well hard controling yourself, i only just becae a teenager, and already things are getting tough.
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
Good article...I wrote a similar article on the same topic a while back.
The Gift of Youth
The Holy Prophet
has told us to appreciate five things before they go, one of which is youth before old age. Youth possess phenomenal amount of energy, and if this energy is channeled in the correct way it can guarantee a place in Paradise.
A person is physically and mentally the most active when they are young. It is during this stage in life that they can greatly benefit society around them.
The great Mohammad Bin Qasim-Al-Thaqafi, a 19 year-old Arab general from Basra (Iraq) marched into Pakistan by way of Persia and Balochistan with an army of 60,000 men. It was because of him that Sindh came under the authority of Islam. Prophet Ibrahim, his son Isma`il, Yusuf, Yahya, Maryam, the Ashab Al-Kahf or the People of the Cave, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of them, were great examples of youths mentioned in the Qur’an.
Unfortunately, instead of aspiring to follow in the footsteps of great personalities such as Muhammad Bin Qasim many youngsters believe in breaking all the laws ordained by Allah (swt) and then later calming down and getting serious about religion and living their lives as good Muslims.
‘I’ll change in the future’ is a common procrastination employed by many of us which helps us to self-justify why we aren’t living our lives according to the limits ordained by Allah (swt).
After all, most of our grandparents turned to Islam in their old age, after living their lives according to their own whims and desires. We tell ourselves that we’ll enjoy our life to the max, get married, go to Hajj, ask for forgiveness for our sins and then live the rest of our lives according to the teachings of Islam.
The problem with this mentality is that, people die at all ages. We associate death with old age, but I’m sure we all know of young people who were killed in fatal accidents. Imagine if a boyfriend and girlfriend were killed in a car accident, would the excuse “We did intend to repent, get married and change in the future-but we died before we could do all that” be valid in the Court of Allah (swt)?
Furthermore, how can one intentionally sin with the intention of repenting later on in life? Such repentance isn’t even valid in Islam.
In addition, if one is used to sinning how can they assume that they will change and give up their ways in the future, aren’t old habits hard to break?
When a person enters old age his needs, whims, desires and demands begin to diminish. The things that used to bring him delight and pleasure do not appeal to him any more, so due to obvious reasons the worship of a teenager is worth more then the worship of an elderly person.
Furthermore, the punishment of an old man who commits adultery is harsher then the young man who commits the same sin, this is because it is easier for him to keep away from wrong actions.
Negative characteristics such as pride, arrogance, and being shameless etc, are most prominent when an individual is neither too old nor too young. These unlawful needs, whims, and desires are most prominent when one is in his youth.
It is difficult to commit oneself to the laws and commands of Allah (swt) when an individual is young; this is because of all the temptations that surround us. When we look at society around us, we can see that most of the worldly distractions, such as music, relationships, clubs, magazines, fashion, media etc, are all specifically targeted at the young.
However, the benefit of living in a country and not giving in to the temptation that’s in your face 24/7, results in Muslims who are of higher Iman (belief) and Taqwa (piety) as opposed to those who live in an Islamic country with little or no opportunities to be tempted. If one reject’s something that isn’t even offered to them or isn’t even in their face, where’s the difficulty in that?
When an individual is young it is extremely difficult to stay on the straight path. This stage in indeed both difficult and hazardous and this is why Allah (swt) has promised seven people His shade on the Day of Judgment, as a mark of distinction and honour.
Youth who spend their years as devout and conscious Muslims in the face of overwhelming temptations and seductions are one of the seven people. The fact that Allah (swt) grants such a distinguished position to them shows how difficult these challenges are.
In order to taste the sweetness of faith, we must refrain from succumbing to temptations. Yes, it is difficult because we live in morally degenerate society and yes, it does demand a lot of self-control and discipline.
However we should realise that difficulties, hardship and inconvenience suffered for the sake of Allah (swt) will bring us immeasurable rewards and a multitude of spiritual benefits. We are the future of Islam. We have a great role to play in society and must emulate the examples of our great predecessors in order to positively benefit society.
The reward and status of one who sacrifices his youth for the pleasure of Allah (swt) are immense. May Allah (swt) give us the tawfeeq to do so, Ameen.
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