The Imam asked him...

The Imam asked him, “How did you find the people of Basrah in accepting the practice of the Prophet’s Household and what was the pace at which they adopted Shi‘ite beliefs?” He answered, “A small number of them adopted the teachings of the Prophet’s Household.” The Imam told him, “Focus your promotional activities on the young people and concentrate your energies in guiding them as they accept the truth faster and incline towards good things sooner.”[^5] Isma‘il, the son of Fadhl Hashimi, asked Imam Sadiq, “Why did Jacob, delay in forgiving Joseph’s brothers who had thrown Joseph into the well but Joseph himself forgave his brothers immediately and prayed for them?” Imam Sadiq said, “Because the hearts of the young people accept the truth sooner than those of the old people.”[^6] These two narrations show that young people love virtue and good and naturally incline towards and are keen in the performance of gentlemanly acts, speaking the truth, fulfilling promises, returning items that have been entrusted to them, serving the people, devotion and other similar virtues and they despise and turn away from undesirable characteristics.

Some Points According to religious leaders, youth is a great asset. If there are those who seek happiness and want to make good use of this valuable force, they have to pay full attention to some points: Youth is one of the best, most valuable and fruitful opportunities in one’s life. A basic condition for success is using the strength of youthfulness and putting it in action. The happiness and misery of any person is based in his youth.

He can guarantee his happiness by making good use of his abilities and opportunities.[^7] Questions about One’s Youth on the Day of Resurrection The Prophet said, on the Day of Resurrection, no one can take a step unless he answers the following questions: First, for what did he live his life? Second, how did he spend his youth?[^8] These words of the Prophet well indicate how Islam has appreciated and paid attention to the life force of youth.

This valuable asset is so important that one will be asked about it on the Day of Resurrection. The worth of young people with moral virtues is like a flower with a sweet perfume which, in addition to freshness, has natural beauty and a pleasant smell. However, if youth is not accompanied by divine values, it is like a thorn that will never be loved by others.