3) Liason with deviated and corrupt people and befriending them. This has a great effect on the mind, the thinking and ways of the youth. For this reason Nabi sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said: "A person is on the Deen (Religion) of his companion, so each one of you should take care in the matter of who he befriends." He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam also said: "The similitude of an evil companion is like an ironsmith using an oven. Either you will burn your clothes in his company or you will experience an offensive odour." (Hadith) The sure for this problem is that the teenager should choose for his companionship those who are good and intelligent go that he may benefit from their virtue, reformed ways and intelligence. He should weigh up their condition and reputation before befriending them. If they are people of character, virtue, correct Deen and good reputation, then befriend them. If they do not possess these qualities, then it is incumbent to distance oneself from them so that one is not deceived by sweet talk and beautiful outward appearances. This is deception and misguidance. This path is traversed by evil people to allure the simple-minded in order to increase their multitude and conseal their evil condition. A poet has said it most beautifully: Test men when you intend to befriend them, Scrutinize and study their affairs.
4) Reading of destructive periodicals, booklets and magazines which create doubt in the Deen of a person and in his beliefs. This draws a person towards the abrogation of virtuous character and lands him in Kufr (disbelief) and vice. This is especially true when the teenager does not possess deep Deeni education and acute thinking by means of which he can differentiate between truth and falsehood, benefit and harm The reading of these types of books totally confounds the because they imbibe a false pleasure in the minds and thinking of the youth without reservation. The cure for this problem is that he should keep away from these books and read other books which will plant in his heart the love of Allaah and his Rasool sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and the reality of Eemaan (Belief) and good deeds. No doubt his inner self will entice him greatly towards those books which he loved previously and make him feel discontent with other beneficial woks. This is similar to the position of that person who lights with his inner self to establish the obedience of Allaah in his life, but his soul rebels and becomes involved in futility and lies. The most important of beneficial books is the book of Allaah and those which the people of knowledge have written by way commentary with correct transmission. In the same way the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then that which the people of knowledge have written by extracting from these two sources or by way of deep understanding.
5) The impression of some youth that Islaam is a curtailment of freedom and a repression of strength. Thus they tum away from Islaam regarding it as retrogression and a barrier between them and progress. The cure for this problem is that the veil of the reality of Islaam be lifted from these youth who are ignorant of it's reality because of their wrong nations, inadequate knowledge or both. Islaam does not restrict freedom but it is a control and a correct chanelling for it, so much so that the freedom of one person does not clash with the freedom of the next person.
General freedom leads to chaos and eruption. It is for this reason that the injunctions of Deen are called Hudood (limits). If the injunction is one of prohibition Allaah says:
�They are the limits imposed by Allaah, do not approach them.� [2:187]
If it is one of consent, Allaah Ta'ala says,
�These are the limits imposed by Allaah, do not transgress them.� [2:229]
This is the difference between restriction (which is the impression of some) and control and guidance which the most wise, the all-knowing Allaah has decreed for his servants. There is no basis for this problem because systemization is a reality in all domains and man by nature is submissive to this systematic reality. He is submissive to the pressure of hunger and thirst and to the system of his food and drink as far as quantity, quality and type is concerned so that he may safeguard his body and it's health. He is in the same way submissive to the system of his society, holding on to the customs of his city in it's dwellings, garb and modes of transport. If he does not subject himself to this, he will be considered as being abnormal and he will be treated the way extraordinary people are treated. Life is totally a submission to specified limits so that everything progresses according to it's intended aim. This subjugation is for the order of society, eg. submission which is necessary for the reformation of society and the prevention of anarchy. In the same way submission to the system of the Shari'ah entails that which is necessary for the reformation of the nation so how can some people be annoyed with it and think of it as being a restriction of freedom? Verily this is a great untruth and a baseless, evil presumption. Islaam in the same way is not a suppression of capabilities. It is a wide sphere for all strengths. Islaam calls towards reflection so that man contemplates and his mind and thoughts grow.
------------- Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent."
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