suhayb08
2moro mite neva be..
:salam2:
Teen Talk: Reach 'em, teach 'em
On occasion, young people who have drifted from the path of Islam, wish to rediscover their roots. The journey becomes easier when a hand of friendship and empathy is extended. NURAAN JACOBS discusses how young people can help one another along.
RECENTLY, I came across some simple, yet inspiring words that I'd like to share with our younger teens.
The main theme: Simple steps on how we could help those who have drifted from the path rediscover the beauty of Islam.
Rebels with a cause?
But what role can the younger generation play in this process? After all, it seems that we have the odds stacked against us. We're young, inexperienced and fickle, as some would suggest. Sometimes we are even seen as stubborn and rebellious. So how and why should we, as young Muslims help to bring our friends closer to the right path when we already have our own problems? And what is it about being a teenager that makes us ideal candidates for a job?
One up for us!
A Muslim youth advisor summed it up in just a few words stating that Allah has put the youth in a very good position. We have the means to communicate with our peers, we have an understanding of what other teens are going through AND, as the cherry on the top, we have the divine guidance of Islam as our guiding light.
Feeling comfortable
Although most Imams are perfectly approachable, many of us feel more comfortable with a sibling or friend we know. This is where we make our appearance as Muslim youth who have a responsibility to ourselves, our parents and most importantly to our Creator to spread the word of Islam amongst our peers.
Seven steps of stone?
This should not be our cue to panic, though. Let's keep our eyes on the goal by focusing on some useful tips from other Muslims who have been there and done just that. Although these may not be cast in stone they do serve as a useful and gentle guide.
1. Make the intention sincere: 'Guidance comes not from us, but through us'. The things we do should only be for the sake of Allah - not to feed the ego.
2. The Qur'an and Ahadith are great guides, particularly with reference to the positive approach of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
3. Character is important. Smile, be polite and kind. A warm smile was a hallmark of the Prophet (SAW)'s character. For others to feel free to speak to us, we need to make ourselves approachable.
4. Let's not judge others on first impressions. If we see someone whom we think looks, behaves or speaks in a manner not befitting our own standards, perhaps it is best for us not to judge them. Rather, let's attempt to understand the circumstances.
5. Be proactive and take the initiative. Perhaps we should take it upon ourselves to invite others to 'hang out' with us at break, to watch the school athletics together, or invite them over for Iftar during Ramadaan, etc. We may see some wonderful results.
6. Make your deen manifest. Do not conceal your beliefs and values. Let the world know that Islam is still relevant. Islam helps us focus on understanding who we are and where we are going. Encourage friends to seek Allah (SWA)'s help even for 'modern-day' stresses, like exams or tests.
7. Understand some adult fears. Help instil the confidence of adults in us, but also help adults to be confident themselves. Islam teaches us to respect our parents. However, sometimes adults, like Bart Simpson's dad, Homer, are considered 'bumbling idiots' in the eyes of many members of the 'teen culture.' Our job as practising young Muslims is to help change this belief. It won't be too long before our teenage kids see us the 'bumbling idiots'.
Only the beginning
Although these seven tips do not fully equip us to take on this type of endeavour, it serves, at least, both as a kick-start and hopefully a bit of positive motivation for those who want to make this noble change.
Let us not forget that golden verse in the Holy Qur'an: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error" (2:256). So, ideally we ought to nurture others gently without resorting to the practice of imposing our own judgements on those who wish to gradually make these changes.
As Muslims, we all have a duty to help spread the word of Islam. Whether we are beginners, activists or leaders, our role in this process is crucial. In fact, I have often heard learned people describe themselves as scholars of Islam. I find this a particularly empowering statement.
There is a saying, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. In much the same way, this approach could shed some light at the end of the tunnel to those who need the guidance most. Whilst we cannot live the lives of those around us, we can act as a catalyst for others who wish to change their own lives for the better and live it to its fullest.
Teen Talk: Reach 'em, teach 'em
On occasion, young people who have drifted from the path of Islam, wish to rediscover their roots. The journey becomes easier when a hand of friendship and empathy is extended. NURAAN JACOBS discusses how young people can help one another along.
RECENTLY, I came across some simple, yet inspiring words that I'd like to share with our younger teens.
The main theme: Simple steps on how we could help those who have drifted from the path rediscover the beauty of Islam.
Rebels with a cause?
But what role can the younger generation play in this process? After all, it seems that we have the odds stacked against us. We're young, inexperienced and fickle, as some would suggest. Sometimes we are even seen as stubborn and rebellious. So how and why should we, as young Muslims help to bring our friends closer to the right path when we already have our own problems? And what is it about being a teenager that makes us ideal candidates for a job?
One up for us!
A Muslim youth advisor summed it up in just a few words stating that Allah has put the youth in a very good position. We have the means to communicate with our peers, we have an understanding of what other teens are going through AND, as the cherry on the top, we have the divine guidance of Islam as our guiding light.
Feeling comfortable
Although most Imams are perfectly approachable, many of us feel more comfortable with a sibling or friend we know. This is where we make our appearance as Muslim youth who have a responsibility to ourselves, our parents and most importantly to our Creator to spread the word of Islam amongst our peers.
Seven steps of stone?
This should not be our cue to panic, though. Let's keep our eyes on the goal by focusing on some useful tips from other Muslims who have been there and done just that. Although these may not be cast in stone they do serve as a useful and gentle guide.
1. Make the intention sincere: 'Guidance comes not from us, but through us'. The things we do should only be for the sake of Allah - not to feed the ego.
2. The Qur'an and Ahadith are great guides, particularly with reference to the positive approach of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
3. Character is important. Smile, be polite and kind. A warm smile was a hallmark of the Prophet (SAW)'s character. For others to feel free to speak to us, we need to make ourselves approachable.
4. Let's not judge others on first impressions. If we see someone whom we think looks, behaves or speaks in a manner not befitting our own standards, perhaps it is best for us not to judge them. Rather, let's attempt to understand the circumstances.
5. Be proactive and take the initiative. Perhaps we should take it upon ourselves to invite others to 'hang out' with us at break, to watch the school athletics together, or invite them over for Iftar during Ramadaan, etc. We may see some wonderful results.
6. Make your deen manifest. Do not conceal your beliefs and values. Let the world know that Islam is still relevant. Islam helps us focus on understanding who we are and where we are going. Encourage friends to seek Allah (SWA)'s help even for 'modern-day' stresses, like exams or tests.
7. Understand some adult fears. Help instil the confidence of adults in us, but also help adults to be confident themselves. Islam teaches us to respect our parents. However, sometimes adults, like Bart Simpson's dad, Homer, are considered 'bumbling idiots' in the eyes of many members of the 'teen culture.' Our job as practising young Muslims is to help change this belief. It won't be too long before our teenage kids see us the 'bumbling idiots'.
Only the beginning
Although these seven tips do not fully equip us to take on this type of endeavour, it serves, at least, both as a kick-start and hopefully a bit of positive motivation for those who want to make this noble change.
Let us not forget that golden verse in the Holy Qur'an: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error" (2:256). So, ideally we ought to nurture others gently without resorting to the practice of imposing our own judgements on those who wish to gradually make these changes.
As Muslims, we all have a duty to help spread the word of Islam. Whether we are beginners, activists or leaders, our role in this process is crucial. In fact, I have often heard learned people describe themselves as scholars of Islam. I find this a particularly empowering statement.
There is a saying, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. In much the same way, this approach could shed some light at the end of the tunnel to those who need the guidance most. Whilst we cannot live the lives of those around us, we can act as a catalyst for others who wish to change their own lives for the better and live it to its fullest.