How Muslim Youth Can Become More Effective!
Youth plays a vital role in determining the fate of a nation. In today`s world, they are considered as the heart of the engine of economy; hence they are one of the most important assets of any country. They can do double the amount of work as compared to elderly and very high worth in every walk of life.
This high value also demands fulfillment of many duties and roles from them, for which they have to maintain a well balance life routine. The high expectations from young ones ask for adopting the right kind of behavior in the society. Islam also lays great importance on the responsibilities of youngsters. Unfortunately, nowadays, most of the young Muslims are leading strayed through various distractions and evils.
Today, QuranTutor.com’s article discusses the useful tips for Muslim youth to become more productive with reference to Quran and Hadith.
Praying more
Although prayers are made compulsory for every Muslim, but its significance are many folds in the life young ones as they bring them closer to Allah Almighty. This nearness helps them to stay on the right path and avoid committing sins. Salah helps youth in time management: “time is money” and is a key factor in the success of any person. It also serves as a source of asking the Creator of the universe for forgiveness of one’s sins, and praying for adopting and being a path of righteousness.
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]” [Quran: 2:45]
Hence our juvenile can take guidance from prayers, for Allah likes the patient ones, and gives rewards for prayers both in this world and hereafter. It would also facilitate them in gaining piety, which is the most important part of a believers` character.
Keeping a good company
Most of the social problems that our youth are indulged in stem from company in which they spend their time. It shapes personality of a person, and many of beliefs and attitudes are developed through it. The Prophet (PBUH) reminds us of the importance of good company in this Hadith:
“A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
The above mentioned saying of Muhammad (PBUH) clearly emphasizes on making friends who are on the right path, and compared them with spreaders of fragrance. So, all of us should strive for making pals who would be having positive effects on our personalities.
Gratefulness to Allah
Every youthful Muslim should strive in thanking Allah for all His blessings, for it is the best way to show gratitude towards Him. It is a sign of sound mind because if someone does not think about all good things of life, it means that person does not ponder on the presence of Almighty.
O you, who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. [Quran: 2:172]
The act of thankfulness to God is one of the leading signs of a true believer. One can also pay its thanks to Allah by appreciating fellow human beings for their favors.
“He, who does not thank people, does not thank Allah”. (Tirmidhi)
Generally speaking, we should always show gratitude towards people who have helped us in our life one way or the other in a positive way. It also makes us humble and brings us closer to Almighty.
Avoiding jealousy
One of the common bad habits that our young Muslims are trapped in doing is that they become envious of those of higher ranks and statuses. This act is strongly condemned in Islam.
Abu Hurairah relates the Holy Prophet (PBUH) saying as:
“Beware of envy, for envy devours good (deeds) like fire devours firewood.” (Abu Dawud)
The whole life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is full of such examples that he never wished bad for anyone, rather He prayed for them even they were His enemies. Being in competition with someone else is not a bad thing, one should excel in religious and other good deeds, but being green-eyed at someone else`s achievements is considered as a terrible deed both morally and religiously.
Excelling in good habits
The problem with today`s young Muslims is that they feel shame in doing small good deeds, like speaking about Islam in a gathering, forbidding others from non ethical deeds, and our hearts are rusted to the extent that we do not even say salah on the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when His name is taken.
Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. [Quran: 2: 112]
This Quran verse emphasizes on the importance of noble actions, for they are the spirit of Islamic teachings. Allah Almighty has also guaranteed incentives for those who excel in committing such deeds, and that they will never regret on such actions which fulfill the criteria of decency and integrity.
Evaluating oneself
Unfortunately, today`s youthful Muslims point out mistakes in others` actions more than they see themselves doing wrong. Instead of looking for immoral things in others, we should be more concerned about our own actions, as everyone will be accountable for their own deeds in hereafter. The best way to get rid of this wickedness is by thinking about Allah Almighty as the supreme judge because He knows everything one does. This fear of the Lord will provide the basis for assessing own faith and conduct.
These are some of the useful guidelines which could help uplifting the status of Muslim youth and develop their personalities.
