Chapter One: The Life Force of Youth
“I advise you to be good to adolescents and youth.”
The Noble Prophet
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In Part 1, the Prophet’s attitude towards children was briefly introduced. In Part II, consideration will be given to the Prophet’s attitude towards the youth. It is hoped that this may be a guideline for Muslims and the society in general. Manpower is one of the greatest assets of any country and the most important part of this asset is the youth, for it is a force that can overcome the problems of life and progress beyond the difficult and rough pathways.
If the farms are green and the big wheels of heavy industries are functioning properly, if underground deposits are mined from the depths of the earth, if there are grand palaces that ascend to the sky, if cities are developed and the economic bases of countries flourish, if the borders of countries are protected against foreign invasion and there is complete security, all these are due to the effects of the valuable activities of young people. These indefatigable forces are the reason for hope among all nations.
One ends childhood by entering into the phase of youth, the phase of personal responsibilities and social and public duties. Therefore, the world today pays special attention to young people and they have gained a special position in all affairs, including political, social, economic, industrial and moral.
For the last fourteen centuries, the holy religion of Islam, within its comprehensive, revivalist program, has paid special, unique attention to the young generation. Islam makes provision for young people in all material, spiritual, psychological, educational, moral, social, worldly and otherworldly matters while other religions and cultures only consider certain aspects of the world of the young.
The Value of Youth
As was mentioned, in today’s world young people and their value is noted by all nations and peoples and everywhere there is talk of the young generation. Therefore, researchers, thinkers and writers have discussed the subject of the young generation from various intellectual perspectives.
The religious leaders have considered youth to be one of the valuable blessings of God and a great asset for happiness in life. Muslims have been reminded of this in various ways.
The Prophet said, “I advise you to do good to young people as they have a tender heart that is keen to learn. God chose me as a prophet to make people aware of the divine mercy and to warn them of his chastisement. Young people accepted my words and pledged allegiance to me but the old refused to do so and rose to oppose me.1
‘Ali said, “There are two things whose size and price are unknown except to one who has lost them: One is youth and the other, health.”2
When Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Hasan rose up and got the people’s allegiance, he went to Imam Sadiq and asked for his allegiance. The Imam refused and reminded him of certain things, one of which was advice about young people. The Imam said, “You have to keep young people close and keep old people far away from yourself.”3
This advice of Imam Sadiq shows the value and importance of young people and calls attention to this great divine blessing. The Prophet told Abu Dhar:
“Appreciate five things before you lose them. One is youth, which you must learn to appreciate before you get old…”4
Attention to Youth
The true leaders of Islam have given valuable advice about the pure spirit of young people and their interest in moral and humane principles. They have constantly reminded teachers and guides to make good use of this valuable investment through the proper training of the young generation.
A man by the name of Abu Ja‘far Ahwal, who was a friend of Imam Sadiq, spent some time promoting Shi‘ism and transmitting the teachings of the Prophet’s family. One day, he came to Imam Sadiq. The Imam asked him, “How did you find the people of Basrah in accepting the practice of the Prophet’s Household and what was the pace at which they adopted Shi‘ite beliefs?”
He answered, “A small number of them adopted the teachings of the Prophet’s Household.” The Imam told him, “Focus your promotional activities on the young people and concentrate your energies in guiding them as they accept the truth faster and incline towards good things sooner.”5
Isma‘il , the son of Fadhl Hashimi, asked Imam Sadiq, “Why did Jacob, delay in forgiving Joseph’s brothers who had thrown Joseph into the well but Joseph himself forgave his brothers immediately and prayed for them?”
Imam Sadiq said, “Because the hearts of the young people accept the truth sooner than those of the old people.”6
These two narrations show that young people love virtue and good and naturally incline towards and are keen in the performance of gentlemanly acts, speaking the truth, fulfilling promises, returning items that have been entrusted to them, serving the people, devotion and other similar virtues and they despise and turn away from undesirable characteristics.
Some Points
According to religious leaders, youth is a great asset. If there are those who seek happiness and want to make good use of this valuable force, they have to pay full attention to some points:
1. Youth is one of the best, most valuable and fruitful opportunities in one’s life.
2. A basic condition for success is using the strength of youthfulness and putting it in action.
3. The happiness and misery of any person is based in his youth. He can guarantee his happiness by making good use of his abilities and opportunities.7
Questions about One’s Youth on the Day of Resurrection
The Prophet said, on the Day of Resurrection, no one can take a step unless he answers the following questions:
First, for what did he live his life?
Second, how did he spend his youth?8
These words of the Prophet well indicate how Islam has appreciated and paid attention to the life force of youth. This valuable asset is so important that one will be asked about it on the Day of Resurrection.
The worth of young people with moral virtues is like a flower with a sweet perfume which, in addition to freshness, has natural beauty and a pleasant smell. However, if youth is not accompanied by divine values, it is like a thorn that will never be loved by others.
The Prophet said, “A faithful person has to use his abilities for his own good and has to make use of this world for the afterworld and has to make use of his youth before becoming old.”9
He also said, “Every night, the divine angel tells the 20-year-old young people to be hard-working and serious in order to achieve perfection and happiness.”10
Therefore, the period of youth is the period of individual responsibility, awareness, preparedness and hard work. Those who do not make use of this divine gift will be blamed.
God says,
“Did notWe grant a life long enough for him who reflected to reflect therein?”11
Imam Sadiq said, “This verse blames the negligent young people who have reached the age of eighteen and do not make use of their youth.”12