Period Of Youth In Islam

If we examine the life of an average human, we come to realize that life consists of four periods. Childhood: This usually lasts for thirteen to fourteen years. The teenage years which usually lasts for six to eight years depending on when he gets married, (The Period of Youth). The third part of his life is from the time he gets married until his old age, which usually lasts for merely twenty to thirty years, and then lastly his old age whose exact time period cannot be said with certainty, depending on when death takes him.

Now out of these four parts of an average human life, the most crucial stage of his life is the period of youth. The period of youth is a time when a person goes through many changes and experiences; he undergoes and partake many new things which he has never experienced before. The youth begins to feel as though he has control over the whole world, and that he can do whatever he wishes. His desires are increasing day by day becoming attached to the opposite sex, he enjoys lustfully gazing and flirting with them..

Now, this is that period of his life that if he was to control his desires a bit, and sacrifice a few of these devilish desires, he can become a future role-model for Muslims. He can become a leader for his community, and the biggest achievement he can gain is success in the hereafter.

As being admitted into paradise, and being saved from the hell fire, is, in reality truly the greatest success a person can gain. Allah has described this as a ‘great success' in the Holy Qur'an.

The reason why this period of human life is so important and crucial is because this period of youth is generally what determines the way in which this period of his life is spent. If he spends this period of his life in an Islamic environment, visiting the Masjid for the five daily prayers, associating with the pious people and the true scholars of Islam, sitting in their gatherings, then, it is greatly hoped that he will spend the rest of his life in the same way.

On the other hand, if the youth stays away from the Masjid and doesn't associate himself with the pious and scholars of Islam, but spends his time visiting the pubs/clubs, associating himself with girls and mischievous people, then it is most likely that the rest of his life will be spent in a similar manner, away from the Masjid and away from Deen, except if Allah wishes otherwise.

Just like everything, life is also a gift from Allah and every aspect of it should be regarded as a gift and a trust from Allah. Allah expects us to spend this youth in His worship and obedience, seeking knowledge of Islam and acting upon it. This in itself is a form of gratefulness.

In a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah said that the feet of the son of Adam will not be able to move until he is questioned regarding four things.

Out of these four questions, one question asked will be regarding how one spent his time as a youth. In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah has said that on the Day of Judgement, there are seven types of people to whom Allah will give shade to. It is stated in Bukhari that on the Day of Judgement there will be no shade except for Allah's shade. And from amongst these groups, one group will be those youth who spent their youth in the worship of Allah.

The reason being is because a youth has many desires, so whosoever goes against his desires and controls them in this delicate period of youth, and obeys the command of Allah, and tries his best to follow the Islamic Shariah, in such a time of his life when his desires are at their peak, then Allah will give him a great reward.

Once the great Imam Abu Hanifah (rahamtullahe alayhe) was giving advice to his student Imam Abu Yusuf (rahamtullahe alayhe). He said that in your youth you should spend your time in seeking Islamic knowledge, and thereafter seek a job, and when you get enough money then you should get married.

Once a pious servant of Allah saw an old man in great pain. On seeing him in this state, he remarked that the old man did not take care of Allah's rules in his youth.

Similarly, a wise man once said that how many old men are there who repent to Allah. How great would it be to see youngsters repenting to Allah.

Therefore, the period of youth is a very delicate and important period in a Muslim's life. If spent in the right way his time as a youth will benefit not only himself but also others. By visiting the Masjid, attending the gatherings of the scholars of Islam and seeking their advice and knowledge, serving one's parents and trying to carry out Allah Taa'la's orders to the best of ability then it is greatly hoped that one will grow up to become a leader of the Muslim community and become the coolness of one's parents eyes. If wasted by continuously committing sins, disobeying Allah's commands, then it is possible that on the Day of Judgment Allah will reprimand him regarding this.

So dear youngster! Realise your value and importance for the future fate of the Ummah lies in your hands. May Allah guide and protect us all on the day of Judgement. Ameen

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Brief History of Prophet Musa (Moses) In Islam

Brief History of Prophet Musa (Moses) In Islam

Note : Prophet Moosa is also known as Prophet Musa or Moses
Firaun is also known as Pharaoh

Prophet Moosa (AS) was born at the time of Fir'aun. Fir'aun was a king who hated the Bani Israa'eel, who were the tribe of Prophet Moosa (AS).

A short while before Prophet Moosa (AS) was born, Fir'aun was told that a boy from the Bani Israa'eel would soon be born and at whose hands Fir'aun's kingdom would be destroyed. On hearing this, the cruel king ordered that every male child born to the Bani Israa'eel should be killed.

ProphetMoosa's (AS) upbringing in the palace of Fir'aun

When Prophet Moosa (AS) was born, his mother put him in a water proof box and placed the box on the river Nile . She then sent her daughter to follow the little "boat" and see where it went.

The box floated towards the palace of Fir'aun , where his men fished it out and brought the baby to him. He wanted to kill it immediately, suspecting that it might be a child of the Bani Israa'eel, but his wife Aasiya, who was a pious woman, stopped him. They did not have children of their own, so she asked him to adopt the child.

Fir'aun agreed to his wife's request and then called some women to breast feed the crying child. However, the baby refused milk from all the women who came to feed him, except his mother. So Allah reunited mother and child in the very palace of Fir'aun.

As the years passed, Prophet Moosa (AS) grew up strong and healthy. He then left Egypt and went to Madyan where he married Safura daughter of Prophet Shu'aib (AS). After staying in Madyan for a while, he left to return to Egypt . On their way to Egypt in the severe winter night Prophet Moosa (AS) and his wife who had lost their way, saw a fire in the distance. Prophet Moosa (AS) told his wife to stay where she was and he went to the fire, thinking he would bring some of it back.

When he reached the fire he saw that the flames were coming from a green tree but there was no one present. While Prophet Moosa (AS) looked around in surprise, he suddenly heard a voice saying, "O Moosa, I am your Lord!" The voice then asked him to throw his stick onto the ground. At once it changed into a serpent, scaring him. He was then commanded to lift the snake without fear and as he did so, it changed back into a stick.

Next he was told to put his hand under his armpit. When he drew it out again, his hand glowed with a bright light, like the sun. The Divine voice said to him, "O Moosa! These are the two great Signs of your Lord. Go back to Fir'aun and his people and invite them towards your Lord!"

Prophet Moosa invited Fir'aun and his people to Islam

Prophet Moosa (AS) told Fir'aun that he was a Messenger of Allah and that he had brought clear proofs that he was speaking the truth. He threw his stick on the ground and it changed into a snake. The miracle frightened Fir'aun and he turned to his ministers for advice. They told him that Prophet Moosa (AS) was just a good magician and that their own magicians could easily perform such tricks.

Fir'aun called all the great magicians to his court. When they were told what had to be done, they were not worried. They threw pieces of rope on the ground and these cords began to wriggle like snakes. But when Prophet Moosa (AS) cast his stick down his serpent ate all the pieces of rope. The magicians immediately realized that this was no magic but a miracle, and threw themselves in prostration saying, "We believe in the faith of Moosa".

This made Fir'aun very angry and he warned them that if they did not take back their words, they would be tortured. They did not change their minds and so he cut off their feet and hands and then killed them. Allah told Prophet Moosa (AS) to warn Fir'aun that He would punish him and his people if they continued in their ways. But Fir'aun was too proud to listen to the warning.

Calamity that struck the pride of Fir'aun

Soon the country was hit by famine. Swarms of locusts ate away the crops. The river Nile flooded its banks causing great destruction. The people were afflicted with lice and tumors. When all of this happened the people rushed to Prophet Moosa (AS) asking him to pray for their relief and promised to follow his religion. But when they were cured and the situation improved, they returned to their idol worship.

Prophet Moosa (AS) gathered the people of Bani Israa'eel and left for Palestine . Fir'aun learnt of their escape and followed them with a huge army. When the Bani Israa'eel reached the Red Sea they saw Fir'aun approaching and were sure they were going to be killed. However, Prophet Moosa (AS) struck the waters of the sea with his stick and the waters parted, making a dry path. The people rushed through and crossed safely. When Fir'aun saw the path he entered the sea at the head of his army. But while he was in the middle of the sea the waters suddenly closed around him and his men.

I really recommend you now read the Prophet Musa and Pharoah's story here in slight more detail with Quranic Verses for proof (Quran was revealed by God 1400 years ago and mentions how Firaun's body will be found from the sea so everyone can see the signs, amazing!)

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napoleon... ....the theme park

By Hugh SchofieldBBC News, Paris

Plans are afoot to build a theme park based on the life and times of the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte. Can it be a tourist magnet to rival nearby Disneyland Paris?

You have heard of Napoleon the emperor, the general, the reformer, the lover. Of the humble Corsican who took destiny by the throat, whose armies marched through Europe, bringing subjugation yet also emancipation.

And how he was stopped at the gates of Moscow, fought a last hurrah at Waterloo, and died in Atlantic exile.

So maybe you will be interested in the latest attempt to memorialise this greatest of Frenchmen. Because coming some time soon at a location not far from Paris, it's Napoleon… the theme park.

Far from being the whim of a madcap entrepreneur, it is an entirely serious project with the backing of government, tourism officials and the Bonaparte family.

Continue reading the main story

“START QUOTE

For Chinese tourists, Napoleon is a killer brand”

Christian Mantei, tourism boss

Assuming the money can be raised - and everyone thinks it will be - then the first stone of Napoleon's Bivouac (for that is its name) will be laid on 18 February 2014, the 200th anniversary of the battle of Montereau.

The battle of where? Montereau is not the most famous of Napoleon's encounters. Austerlitz it ain't. It was fought in what became known as the France campaign of 1814, as the emperor tried in vain to hold back the advancing coalition armies.

At Montereau, 90km (55 miles) south-east of Paris, he scored a small but brilliant victory over the Austrians. Legend has it that it was here - when loyal soldiers expressed fears for his safety - that Napoleon uttered the much-quoted words: "Fear not my friends. The bullet that will kill me has yet to be cast!"

The victory made little difference to the course of the war, and a few weeks later Napoleon was forced to abdicate at Fontainebleau.

But it remained etched in the memory of the town. A statue of the emperor on horseback dominates the main bridge, and there are annual re-enactments by uniformed enthusiasts. More importantly, by virtue of being one of his very few victories on French soil, Montereau is seen as the perfect spot for a Napoleonic tourist centre.

"Experts will look into what kind of attractions we could include in the park," says Yves Jego, mayor of Montereau, and driving force behind the project. "They mustn't be vulgar, but fitting for the stature of the man."

For those who find it hard to imagine how a theme park could be based on so important - and indeed controversial - a historical character, supporters have a stock answer. Don't compare us to Disneyland Paris, they say. Think more of Le Puy du Fou.

Le Puy du Fou is a historical theme park, telling the story of the people of the Vendee in western France. With five elaborate outdoor spectacles - replete with battle-scenes, pyrotechnics and a cast of hundreds - it draws in some 1.5 million visitors a year.

The Bivouac could do something similar. Provisional sketches show a park divided into regions - France, Russia, the Orient and so on - with reconstructions of sites from Napoleon's life such as the Pyramids and the Gates of Moscow.

There'll be battle re-enactments, and perhaps rollercoasters and water-rides. The promoters also want computerised exhibits based on the latest in video-gaming.

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CorsicaNapoleonic eagleNapoleonic beeBattle re-enactmentsThe BastilleThe Hundred DaysElba IslandIce PalaceFire of MoscowThe SphinxBattle of TrafalgarSt Helena Island

"A theme park is a fantastic way to teach young people about history," says France's tourism minister Frederic Lefebvre.

"A park that tells of the life of Napoleon - the good sides as well as the bad - will, I am convinced, prove of interest to people the world over.

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Lending authority to the project is the man who currently heads the Bonaparte family, Charles Napoleon. A descendant of the emperor's younger brother Jerome, he dismisses the notion that it will trivialise his illustrious forebear.

"In the past people learned history by reading. Then they learned history by going to museums, or by seeing films. In the 21st Century, people need a new medium for history - and that medium is the theme park," he says.

Charles Napoleon is concerned about historical accuracy, but he places his faith in a committee of experts which will keep a close eye on the project.

Because Napoleon means different things to different groups of people. The Poles regard him as a saviour, with a name-check in their national anthem. For the Russians, he was a brutal invader. The Spanish rose up against him, and were ruthlessly suppressed. But many in Italy thanked him for casting off the Austrian yoke.

As for the British, they have a particular relationship with the man who for so many years was their bitterest foe. There is a school of British historiography which is especially critical of le petit caporal, seeing him as a prototype for later destiny-inspired war-mongers such as Hitler.

This infuriates Charles Napoleon.

"Do you judge Winston Churchill by the 30,000 he killed in one night in the air raids over northern Germany? Of course not," he fumes.

"Yes, Napoleon made war. But behind the French armies came new institutions, new administrations, new rules - all inspired by the French revolution, by equality and justice. It was liberation through conquest."

In France too, historical opinion remains divided - so divided that children learn plenty about the Revolution, but history lessons then take a sudden leap forward to 1871 and the coming of the Third Republic.

His legacy is awkward because even though Napoleon put in place many of the institutions which make up modern-day France (the Banque de France, departments, Legion d'honneur and so on), he also crowned himself emperor and waged war on the rest of Europe.

Particularly troubling for the political left are his re-establishment of slavery, and the subordination of women in his civil code.

Not that any of this matters to those the theme park will be principally aimed at. The real genius lies in its appeal to new tourists - those already arriving in France in their tens of thousands but soon in their millions: the Indians, the Russians, the Brazilians. And above all the Chinese.

"China is our most important potential market, and there Napoleon is a vital strategic asset," says Christian Mantei, head of tourism development agency Atout France.

"They love his image as a military genius, as an epic hero and a self-made man. He is a killer brand."

Charles Napoleon agrees

"The French have a difficult relationship with their history. It all moved so fast, so inevitably people are deeply divided over Napoleon's achievements. But go abroad - especially to China or India or Japan - and you immediately see that he is the best-known French man all over the world.

"That's why we have to build this park. Because if we don't do it soon, you can be absolutely sure the Chinese will get there first."

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