(Ismail Mukhtra) Understanding: The youth experience various transitions in their lives and alter between various identities and go through phases in their lives. Issues pertaining to their sexual life are becoming more pressing to them than their parents generation. Further, issues pertaining to their Islamic identity and their faith are becoming intellectually and emotionally draining. To overcome these transitional challenges, the youth need a sympathetic ear, an understanding counselor and a patient mentor. The last thing the youth need is to be scolded or to be told how ungrateful or bad they are. A young man once came to the Prophet one day and said: "O Prophet! Give me permission to commit adultery."  (Reproduced with author permission from: Manitoba Muslim Magazine, November 2009 issue. Click here to download a PDF version of the article.

(Ismail Mukhtra) c) Understanding: The youth experience various transitions in their lives and alter between various identities and go through phases in their lives. Issues pertaining to their sexual life are becoming more pressing to them than their parents generation. Further, issues pertaining to their Islamic identity and their faith are becoming intellectually and emotionally draining. To overcome these transitional challenges, the youth need a sympathetic ear, an understanding counselor and a patient mentor. The last thing the youth need is to be scolded or to be told how ungrateful or bad they are.

A young man once came to the Prophet one day and said: "O Prophet! Give me permission to commit adultery." Some of the Companions who were present, seeing this request as being against Islamic morals, told him to be quiet and scolded the young man. Prophet Muhammad was very calm and told the young man "Come over here and sit down." Then he turned to him and started to talk with him. "Tell me, would you like for another to commit adultery with your mother?" The young man said, "O Prophet of Allah, I would never desire such a thing." The Prophet said: "No one would want such a thing for their mother." He continued, and said: "Would you want someone to commit adultery with your daughter?" The young man said, "O Prophet of Allah, I would not." The Prophet said: "No one would want for their daughter to commit adultery." Then he went on to ask if the young man would approve of his sister, paternal aunt or maternal aunt committing adultery. Each time, the young man answered: "No, I would not want that." When he saw that the youth had understood his error the Prophet put his hand on the young man's shoulder and said, "My Lord, forgive him his sin, clean his heart and protect him from committing sins." The young man, according to his own words, did not allow the emotion of lust to enter his heart again (reported in Musnad of Imam Ahmad).

In this hadith we notice that the Prophet was not only understanding, but he was equally convincing in his logic, gentle and compassionate in his response. The kind words of the Prophet and the touch from his blessed hand was a remedy for this troubled young man. This sort of understanding, empathy, sensitivity and consideration is something that our youth are in need today, especially when they divert and fall behind.

Conclusion: Youth alienation from their Muslim community is a reality that can’t be overlooked. Jeffrey Langs, goes as far as referring to it as an ‘exodus” of the young from their communities and mosques in North America. The Muslim Community in North America can’t sustain itself through immigration, it needs to urgently foster a sense of belonging among its youth and keep them connected, engaged and fulfilled. Investment in the youth is an investment in the future. What the youth need isn’t necessarily limited to a place of worship or Quran classes, or weekend schools; the needs of the youth are all encompassing: intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. A comprehensive and holistic approach where the youth are an integral part is of an urgent and paramount importance.
Br> References:

Lang, Jeffrey, Losing My Religion, Amana Publication.
Al-Qaradawi, Yusuf, Islamic Awakening Between Rejection & Extremism
Ibn Hajr Asqalani, Fath ul-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari (Arabic)