How Muslim Youth Can Become

More Effective!

Our youth plays a vital role in determining the fate of our

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 nation. They can do double the
amount of work as compared to some of us 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
work/life balance. The high expectations from our youth
ask for adopting the right kind of behavior in the society.
Islam also lays great importance on the responsibilities of
our youth as well. Unfortunately, nowadays, most of our
young Muslim youth are leading strayed lives through
various distractions and entrapments of this world.

How can we make them to become more effective in their

Islam?
NEVER become envious of those of higher ranks and
statuses.

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 ones 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 the 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.

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.

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 Allah.
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.

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.