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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Guiding the Youth of the New Generation Foreword By Hasnain Walji “From cradle to one’s grave, Life seems but an illusion. The phase of youth so brave, ‘Tis an even greater illusion.” Abu FaiyyazAbu Faiyyaz This book is the fruit of one of the many discourses of the distinguished thinker and scholar, Ayatullah Shahid Mutahhari (q.d.s.).

Yet again, he conveys the dire need to re-think how we address challenges posed in the modern era dominated by Western culture and its attendant values. This is a continuation of his life-long quest to bridge the gap that seems to separate the traditional language of religion and the language of modernity. The consequence of such a gap has given rise to misconceptions which have become ‘concepts’. One such “concept” is called ‘the generation gap’.

Having gained currency, this misconception which has now become an accepted concept, and has taken the form of a self-fulfilling prophecy, has actually created a ‘gap’ between generations. It has given a license and respectability to the younger generation to be ‘different’. To use modern parlance it has become ‘cool’ to dress, behave and act differently. This is the roadmap that leads to MTV and the land of hip-hop.

The title, Guiding the Youth of the New Generation , becomes all the more relevant in this day and age of outsourcing, e-mails, web portals and “blogging” - Western concepts and values are being adopted around the world with enthusiasm. Aping the latest fads and fashions have now been extended to call centers in the developing world where young men and women now speak with a Texan drawl and the next minute switch to a New England accent attending to a caller from Boston.

Muslim youth can hardly be immune from this. Readers, especially parents, looking for a quick fix or a laundry list of answers to the challenges will be disappointed.

Although this book will raise more questions than it answers, however Ayatullah Mutahhari lays the responsibility squarely on the immediately preceding generation, and states: “Each generation is responsible for the guidance of the proceeding generation - especially those people who are officially recognized as the leaders of the society – they have a much greater responsibility...” At the same time exhorts us not to address challenges of today with the solutions of yesterday.