GUIDELINES FOR YOUTHS

 

We all believe in friends and enemies having tangible bodies. Shaitan is our archenemy which has no tangible body that is visible to our eyes. Hence in our daily life, we do not care about Shaitan. When Allah created Adam and ordered all angels to prostrate Adam, everyone complied except Shaitan, who was a jinn but due to his constant prayers, Allah allowed him to be among the angels. He refused to prostrate Adam saying that he was superior to Adam as Adam was created from soil and Shaitan was created from fire. Allah expelled him due to his pride and disobedience. Shaitan sought permission to influence all man kind and was granted.

All the evil deeds man commits are inspired by Shaitan. If we know what deed is prohibited by Allah then we must avoid it. However, there are deeds obligatory or recommended if followed will minimize Satanic influences e.g., Salat or Namaz. Namaz is obligatory on every Muslim boy of 15 years and every Muslim girl of 9 years. Shaitan as our enemy discourages us not to pray namaz but we should remember that we must do this obligatory act which is in our own benefit. It is the remembrance of Allah that cleanses our souls; as we remember that we must pray five times, we keep our body and clothes clean. It is said that “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

Allah has placed in every human being conscience called Nafse Lawwama which reminds everyone of committing sins, it is the Shaitan who encourages us to proceed to sin. The Glorious Qur’an expressly mentions the prohibited deeds. Also, Allah sent prophets and Imams whose main mission was to guide the humans. Furu-e- Deen (Branches of Islam) explains to us what to do and what to abstain from doing. Furu’ Deen are salaat, Fasting in the month of Ramazan, Pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in life time, Charity to help others, Zakat also a tax yearly, struggle with self, do the pious deeds and recommend others also to do it, Abstain from prohibited deeds and recommend others as well, love the Prophet’s Ahle Bayt and abhor their enemies.

As a practical guide, we should minimize exposure to the modern gadgets like television. We are exposed to obscene images which awaken our baser sentiments. This is prohibited in Qur’an; Allah says, “tell men and women to lower their gaze.” (24:30). After seeing it we are mentally disturbed, unable to concentrate on healthy activities. It is purely unproductive. Develop friendship with Allah, share your worries and problems with him. Reciting Namaz is like talking to Allah and reading the Glorious Qur’an is like Allah talking to you. Time is very precious, do not waste it on unproductive activities. Do not pick any book and start reading it. After the Glorious Qur’an, the next book for guidance is Nahual Balanghai, compiled by Ayatullah Sayyid Razi about one thousand years ago. It contains sermons and priceless sayings of Amirul Momineen Imam Ali (a.s). His sayings are like universal truth covering every aspect of life true today as well.

An American author, Michael H. Hart, who authored a book, “The 100 Most Influential Persons in History” in which he named our Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) saying he was supremely successful in religious and secular realms. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its Gate.”