Youth and Holidays
by his eminence
Sheikh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baz (may Allah be merciful with him)
Youth and Holidays
All
praise is due to Allah and peace be on the Messenger of Allah, his family, his
Companions, and those who follow his guidance. On the current occasion, I am
pleased to advise Muslims in general and youth in particular to fear Allah (may
He be Glorified and Exalted) wherever they are and to take advantage of these
holidays in things that please Allah and in things that achieve the reasons of
happiness and salvation. Of these things: reviewing previous lessons, studying
them with colleagues and friends to memorize them by heart, and to benefit from
in matters of `Aqidah (Muslim creed), ethics, and actions. I also advise all
youth to take advantage of these holidays in frequent reciting of the Glorious
Qur'an along with reflecting on and considering its meanings and memorizing part
of it because this great Book (the Qur'an) is the origin of happiness for all
Muslims. Moreover, it is the source of good and guidance which Allah (Glory be
to Him) sent down as an explanation for everything, guidance, mercy, and glad
tiding for Muslims. Furthermore, Allah (Glory be to Him) made it a guide for the
Straight Path and exhorted His Servants to recite and reflect on its meanings as
He says: "Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’ân, or are their hearts
locked up (from understanding it)?" Allah (Exalted be He) says: "(This is) a
Book (the Qur’ân) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they
may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember." Allah
(may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "Verily, this Qur’ân guides to that
which is most just and right." Therefore, my advice to youth and Muslims is to
recite the Qur'an frequently, reflect on its meanings, study it to gain more
knowledge and benefit, and to act according to its meaning wherever they are. I
also advise youth and all Muslims to pay more attention to the Prophet's Sunnah
(peace be upon him) and to memorize part of it, especially during this holiday
and act according to its meanings because it is part of revelation and the
second source of legislation. On the other hand, I advise all youth to beware of
travelling abroad to non-Muslim countries because it is very harmful to their
`Aqidah (Muslim creed) and ethics, and because Muslim countries are in dire need
to them for guidance, exchanging advices, cooperation to good and piety,
commending one another with what is right and observing patience to it. My
advice to teachers during this holiday is to use it in setting up sessions of
knowledge, lectures, and seminar in Masjids (mosques) because it is urgently
needed. I also advise them all to go for Da`wah (calling to Allah) in countries
that need their efforts (as possible), visiting Islamic centers and Muslim
minorities abroad for Da`wah and direction, teaching Muslims their religion, and
encouraging them to cooperate with one another and to commend one another with
what is right and observe patience to it. Moreover, encouraging Muslim students,
who live there, to hold firm with their religion, give more care for the
sciences they travelled to obtain, and beware of the reasons of deviation. They
should pay attention to the Glorious Qur'an through memorizing, recitation, and
consideration and to act according to the purified Sunnah by memorization,
study, and acting according to it.
I invoke Allah to guide Muslims: old and young, teachers and
students, scholars and public to things which maintain them and achieve
happiness and salvation to them in this world as well as in the Hereafter;
indeed He is the Most Generous. Peace be upon His Servant, Messenger, and the
chosen one of His Servants: Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.