Don't Waste Your Youth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When we were young, we were full of energy and capable of doing so many things, but how much have we wasted this energy, no matter how much we have accomplished of this dunya, for the most part because we were ignorant and had little guidance, or rebellious and disobedient, or a combination of them.

Now that we are getting old or older, we have so many good things that we want to do-- learn the Qur'an or memorize the Qur'an, do some community or humanitarian work, etc, but it is harder to do these things when our energy level is rapidly going downhill, and our visits to the doctor are more frequent and our conversation with our friends is mostly about medicine and sharing health tips.

One thing that strikes me to the heart during my high school reunion recently. We were so happy to see many of our classmates from childhood who we hadn't had contact before that time since we left high school. In the midst of our happiness and reminiscing of the good old times, we suddenly realized that we have changed and are less energetic. Most said that they are practically living on medicine--the common ones to control blood pressure and cholesterol level.

Although sickness are not just for old people, but as we get old, we tend to inherit all those chronic diseases, and they can be debilitating. Just to get through the fard and all the sunnah prayers and keeping up with the sunnah fasts can sometimes be difficult.

With more knowledge of the deen, you become more aware of your slavehood to Allah and your desire to be close to Him becomes stronger but your physical health poses some great challenges. It is not as easy to do all the supererogatory works you want to do that you had shy away when you were young.

Young people wouldn't realize how precious their youth is unless we make time to sit with them and share our experiences and be a good example to them.

Our children (small ones and teenagers especially) are not to be left on their own, busying themselves with idle entertainment (TV/movies, games, music, smartphones) while we ourselves are engrossed with idle (or doubtful/haram) activities (excessive texting, checking facebook, emailing, gossiping, backbiting, listening to music, watching movies). Children need parental supervision and proper guidance. It is not sufficient to provide them food and things so they don't bother you.

It is reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, has said:

A person who reaches age of forty years old, and hasn't changed his ways, let him prepare his place in hell

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.

(Hakim)

It is too common to hear young people claiming that they will start to practice Islam when they get older. Always be mindful that 'older' may never come around for us. I came to know that among my high school friends, a few have passed away or husbands who have passed away, a few died suddenly. There is no guarantee that we will live tomorrow. And even if we are blessed with a long life, how can we be sure that we have the health, both physical and mental, to practice Islam.

Although Allah is the Turner of hearts, people don't just magically become 'good' overnight. Bad habits die hard--be fearful that we are not able to get rid of the bad habits when we get old.

The time to change is now and always knock on the door of opportunity to do good.

May Allah bless us with excellent health so we can worship Him well and grant the good of this life and the good of the Hereafter. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam