Ways to Keep Muslim Youth More Rewarding & Productive

Youth is the blooming age in the life of every person. It is a time when health, vitality, spirit, and passion all are at their optimal and a person feels that he/she can do everything and whatever they undertake in life they could achieve it. This adrenaline flow and feeling of strength is the best of youth. However, if both these factors are not controlled, this can lead to a person going down the path of ignorance and evil.

Religion Islam recognizes the importance and crucial nature of the time of youth in the life of a person; therefore, it encourages its followers to spend this time of their life in doing good deeds. The reward for doing good in the time of youth will definitely be more than what a person does in later age when there is nothing else left to do. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Utilize your Youth before Old Age.”

Below we will discuss some ways that can help Muslim youth to be more productive and rewarding:

  • Recite the Holy Quran daily one should be consistent with reciting a fixed amount of the Noble Quran. Muslim youth should read, reflect and make sure to act upon what they read. Do not be among those who forget to read or reflect.
  • Muslim youth should uphold the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). They should learn about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); follow His manners, respect & obey Him, and also teach others about Him.
  • Do not complain in times of hardships. One of the most common traits that are observed in the young people of the present day is the complaining during trials. Muslim youth must realize that hardships are an important part of life just like the ease that comes in life. As Allah says in the Holy Quran: “…. And We test you with evil and with good as a trial, and to Us, you will be returned” (Quran, 21:35). Therefore, Muslim youth should refrain from complaining, bear the hardships with patience, and be thankful to Allah (SWT) in good times.
  • Be kind to your parents, if they are alive. Treat them with kindness and love. It’s your responsibility to make them happy.
  • Be in the company of good people. A Muslim in youth must realize that for a Muslim this world is  not the final world, therefore, youth is not to be destroyed by following the desires of this world, rather, in youth one needs to control one’s toxic inclinations and one way of doing so is by staying away from the company of people who are involved in evil deeds or the deeds that are not permitted by Islam. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Friends on that day will be enemies of each other, except the righteous” (Quran, 43:67). Thus, one must befriend those who are good and do good, instead of sitting with people who are neither good nor encourage goodness.
  • Youth is the best age to make the struggle for learning. Although there is a strong probability of a Muslim pursuing some education in youth, however, the difference between education and learning needs to be made and a Muslim should learn things by understanding them, instead of just reading them. Ergo, a Muslim in his or her youth should supplicate to Allah Almighty and try the level best to increase learning.
  • Keep your intention, thoughts, and words positive. And leave your affairs to Allah Almighty. It reduces negative stress levels and will keep you on the right track towards your goals.

In short, a Muslim must realize the importance of youth and should spend it in doing good deeds that are in accordance with the will and instructions of Allah Almighty.