New generation of kids, young girls and boys face more challenges in their moral development today than before. I was a student in ’50s and ’60s of the last century (born in 1939). It was a good society; most of the people were morally sound. There was no mobile or internet pornography to divert us.
These days those who are 18 or below have fallen prey to mobile technology. They talk for hours, wasting their time, instead of studying or doing social work.
Mobile companies, many of them, reduce their call rate at dead of night. This leads to more use of mobile at night, talking to their so called girl/boyfriend, losing their sleep. This harms their health and morality.
In the internet, even if one does not want, naked or half naked pictures come on the screen. I have stopped it with much difficulty. You can think what boys/ girls do; they get addicted to and look for immoral, illegal sexual gratification.
Then there are beauty contests and fashion shows which make women a commodity and degrade their humanity.
In TV programmes, apart from indecent programmes, women presenters many times do not use Urna or extra body cover.
All these ills of the present day largely secular and materialist culture are ruing our young generation. My niece, who was a university Masters student, told me a few years back that girls are not interested in joining good programmes; they like holidays to roam about with colourful dress; they also spend time in beauty parlours and waste money.
To protect this valuable human wealth, I suggest the following programme for Muslim parents/ guardians. Non-Muslim scholars may devise their programme.
- Summarised version of the Prophet’s Life should be taught to 10-12 years old youth. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) is the ideal for Muslims.
- Similarly life of Abu Bakr, Umar Farooq, Usman, Ali, Khadija, Ayesha, Fatima Radi Allahu Anhum should be taught to 12-year olds. They were great people in human history.
- History of Khulafa-e-Rashideen should be taught.
- History of Islam in the country should be also taught.
- Recitation of some parts of the Qur’ān should be taught by the year 8-10 so that they can know the beauty of recitation of the Qur’ān.
- They should know the meaning of the Qur’ān in full or major portion by age of 12-13 years.
- They should be made punctual in performing Salat as early as feasible.
- All should dress decently. Muslim girls should wear Urna (Khimar) /hijab at appropriate ages.
I request all organisations, scholars, leaders, Ulama, Khatibs, journalists, editors of Muslim world/ Muslim societies in Non- Muslim countries to try to do their best to save the young generation.