The Open Heart of Youth: Planting Values Before It Is Too Late

Occasion of reflecting on this hadith: 11 Sha‘ban: Birth of Ali Akbar (AS) and Youth Day (33 AH)

Introduction

11th Shaʿbān marks the blessed birth of Alī Akbar (peace be upon him) and is celebrated as Youth Day. This occasion reminds us of the immense potential of young hearts and minds. Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him), in his advice to Imam Ḥasan (peace be upon him), compares the heart of a young person to fertile land, ready to accept whatever is planted within it. This powerful metaphor highlights both an opportunity and a responsibility: what we plant in youth shapes the whole future of a person.

قالَ الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلامُ لابنه الحسن عليه السلام: اِنَّما قَلْبُ الْحَدَثِ كَالاَْرضِ الخالِيَةِ، ما أُلْقِيَ فيها مِنْ شَيءٍ قَبِلَتْهُ، فَبادَرْتُكَ بِالأدَبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْسُوَ قَلْبُكَ وَيَشْتَغِلَ لُبُّكَ (تحف العقول، ص 273)

Imam ʿAli (peace be upon him) said to Imam Ḥasan (peace be upon him):

“The heart of a young person is like empty land: whatever is planted in it, it will accept. So I hastened to teach you good manners and values before your heart becomes hardened and your mind becomes occupied.”

Educational messages of the hadith for teens and youth

1. Your Mind Is Open – Use It Well

What you learn when young shapes your whole life.

Practical challenge: Choose one good habit to start this week (reading, prayer, exercise).

2. Be Careful What You Let In

Not everything online or among friends is healthy for your heart.

Practical challenge: Unfollow one harmful page or influence today.

3. Build Yourself Before It’s Harder

Good change is easier when you are young.

Practical challenge: Write one bad habit you want to stop and take one step today.

4. Learn from Good Role Models

Who you admire affects who you become.

Practical challenge: Follow one inspiring person and learn from their life.

5. Useful Knowledge Is a Lifelong Investment

What you plant now will benefit you later.

Practical challenge: Spend 20 minutes daily learning something meaningful.

6. Be Careful Who You Spend Time With

Your friends and online contacts shape your thoughts, values, and behaviour more than you realise.

Practical challenge: This week, list your five closest friends (online or offline) and ask yourself honestly whether they help you grow or pull you down.

Educational messages of the hadith for parents

1. Start Early

Values are easier to shape in childhood than later. Especially in an age when children are heavily influenced by the virtual world, they need to receive the necessary safeguards from you at a very early stage.

Practical challenge: Have one daily meaningful conversation with your child.

2. Be the First Teacher

Children learn more from behaviour than words.

Practical challenge: Model one Islamic value clearly this week.

3. Protect Their Environment

Be very careful about who your children spend time with. Friends and media have the greatest influence. Do they bring your children closer to God, or further away from Him?

Practical challenge: Review and limit your child’s digital space and social media use. Teach them the right criteria for choosing good friends.

4. Teach with Love, Not Fear

Gentle guidance lasts longer than harsh control.

Practical challenge: Praise effort instead of only correcting mistakes.

5. Invest in Moral Education

Skills and knowledge without moral and faith values can become harmful.

Practical challenge: Teach one ethical story or hadith each week.

6. Do Not Outsource Your Child’s Upbringing

Schools and society can help, but the main responsibility for your child’s moral and religious growth is yours, not others’.

Practical challenge: Set aside at least 10 minutes each day to talk with your child about values, faith, and life choices.

7. You Are Accountable for Your Children’s Future and Faith

You are not only responsible for your children’s physical needs, but also for their spiritual direction and moral choices.

Practical challenge: Ask yourself this week: “If my child grows up with weak faith, what role have I personally played in that?” and identify one concrete change you can make.

8. Limit Your Children’s Presence in the Virtual World

“The virtual world and social media are largely uncontrolled and unregulated spaces. Protect your children’s mind, soul, and well-being by setting limits on their online activity.

Practical challenge: Today, spend ten minutes talking with your children about the harms of social media and establish clear family rules to restrict and guide its use.”

Educational messages of the hadith for imams, chaplains, and religious leaders

1. Prioritise Youth Education

Youth are the future of the ummah.

Practical challenge: Organise one youth-focused programme monthly.

2. Speak Their Language

Complex sermons may lose young hearts.

Practical challenge: Simplify one message using real-life examples.

3. Offer Safe Spaces

Mosques must feel welcoming to youth. They should feel comfortable speaking about their worries and needs.

Practical challenge: Create one open discussion session for young people.

4. Act Before Hearts Harden

Delaying guidance makes reform harder.

Practical challenge: Personally, mentor at least one young person this year.