Youth
Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum.
In the collection Al-Amali by Sheikh al-Tusi, a powerful statement is recorded: “I don’t like to see any youth among you (the Shi‘ites), but of two types: either a scholar or a student.” This timeless declaration is more than just advice – it is a call to every young person to recognise their role, their responsibility, and their potential. It emphasises that a young age is not a time for stagnation or idle comfort but rather a period rich with opportunity for intellectual and spiritual development.
I don’t like to see any youth among you [the Shi‘ites], but of two types: either a scholar or a student.
The youthful mind is uniquely capable of absorbing knowledge, forming lasting habits, and developing direction. It is during this phase of life that the foundations of a purposeful future are laid. The message is clear: youth should either embody knowledge or actively pursue it. There is no place for indifference. To say, “I neither want to know nor learn the knowledge,” is to waste the very gift that distinguishes the human being – intellect.
Islamic tradition highly values the pursuit of knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) declared, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” Imam Ali (AS) similarly elevated knowledge above wealth, saying, “Knowledge guards you, but you guard wealth.” These teachings reinforce that becoming either a scholar or a student is not optional – it is a fundamental expectation.
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim
Today, youth are surrounded by distractions that can easily divert them from meaningful learning. Social media, entertainment, and the pressure of trends can leave young people drifting aimlessly. But the words of our scholars remind us that directionless living is not acceptable. The expectation is to engage the mind in understanding faith, ethics, history, and the sciences – not just for personal benefit, but for the betterment of society.
Moreover, this call is not exclusive to formal education. Being a student doesn’t mean being enrolled in school; it means being curious, engaged, and committed to growth. Whether through books, mentorship, lectures, or community work, learning is a lifelong duty.
Let us remember that youth is a golden period – an asset to be invested in. One must ask: Am I a scholar? Or am I sincerely striving to become one? Anything less is a betrayal of potential. Let our youth rise, not as passive spectators, but as active participants in shaping a world rooted in knowledge and responsibility.
More from this author
Recent posts
Search by date
Writers Panel | A Simple Thought | Obituaries | Ziarat Ashura | Islamic Calendar | Facebook
