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The Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) liked a young man among his companions and prayed for him, asking God to help the young man benefit from his youthful years. Therefore, it is clear that not all those who are young benefit from their youth, which was why the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) uttered such a prayer.

What does it mean to benefit from one's youth? It is a mistake to believe that in order to benefit from one's youth you must indulge in material desires and pleasures. According to another hadith of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.): "Any young person who spends his youth on the path of obeying God and puts aside the world and futile worldly matters, God will reward him as much as he rewards a total of seventy-two righteous people." What this means is that a young person who guards his/her spiritual purity, keeping away from material passions, will be given just as many rewards as seventy-two righteous people would receive.

"Staying pure during one's youth is the way of prophets." Joseph the Prophet (P.B.U.H) exemplifies that ideal role-model that Allah the Exalted has set before all young people.
Benefiting from one's youth does not mean engaging in material indulgences, rather it means spending one's youth on obeying God. Obeying God is not limited to praying. Of course, praying is a great virtue: it is very important and constructive; but, obeying God is not only limited to praying. In the vast sphere of life, obeying God comes with many manifestations, and one of the most important manifestations is avoidance of sins and guarding one's spiritual purity. Your studying is an instance of obeying God. Your innovations are also an example of obeying God. The endeavors which were discussed by the dear youth in this meeting -- in chemistry, energy production, humanities, medicine and other areas -- are all instances of obeying God.

October 16, 2011