Why Young Muslims feel Islam so restrictive?

 

Is really Islam so restrictive and boring for young Muslims, why is this. Is Islam really strict and hard to practice. Why youth decline of Islam.

Why Young Muslims feel Islam so restrictive?

Many Muslim youth has this misunderstanding that Islam is a rigid/strict or restrictive religion and is a religion that is very difficult to practice. This is the reason that many youth draw back into fear from Islam and abandon it totally in their adolescence. Here I'm going to share a short story,

Once in the afternoon of summer day, a female student entered in her class. She and her stoic teacher got into this conversation.

"What is this?" Teacher glared at her hand. A beautiful bracelet wrapped around her wrist.

Student replied nonchalantly; “it's a bracelet; my Father got it for me."

Teacher formed a plastic smile and said; "Didn't I inform you wearing jewelry in public is Haram?"

 "But it is gold. I can wear it. My Father gifted it on my Birthday." Student replied.

Teacher's face went straight, she said; "didn't I tell you that celebrating birthdays are Haram?"

Student replied with little hesitance; "But all we did was just eat special food from McDonalds.”

"Didn't I tell you McDonalds is also Haram?"

That's all what happened. From the childhood, many Muslims grow up with constantly hearing the word "No." You can't do that, no this is Haram, no you can't listen music, no you can't watch this, no you can't touch it, no you can't drink it.

 

For success, boundaries are important in life. Nowadays we see Bill gates, Elon Musk, they also set a lot of boundaries in their life. But we Muslims are lucky to have these already examined an experienced boundaries by our Great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

 

Let's see another side,

Islam actually sticks to basic human nature and psychology. Our youth develop a fear based connection with Allah, because of constantly heard of not doing something that everyone around them is doing. Many young Muslims develop the fear of punishment and depress about going to hell and do not enjoy the blessings of Allah in their lives. So, we (young Muslims) have to look the perception of Islam as a "Yes Religion". Islam is an easy religion, this concept explained by Holy Prophet Muhammad  (PBUH).

 

Narrated by Abu Hurairah: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the Salat (prayers) in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the night.” (Bukhari)

 

We have to focus on the yes side, the plus side that blessings and all the gifts of Allah is actually for us. The whole universe is for us. If we follow the path of Islam, it gives more than it takes. Islam requires 0.0017% of the whole day for prayer. The rest time is for man. From the 12 month, Allah asks us to experience self-discipline through fasting for one month only.  He doesn't ask us to spend the whole money for his path. He just asks to give approximately 2.5 of our wealth. In return of all these, he promises us to give us his blessings in this world and in another world.

Islam teaches us discipline in our life. It teaches us struggle, hard work, connection building, consistency, respect and determination. All these are the major keys of success. Islam doesn't demand the perfection as one Hadith states this directly;

 

The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, “All children of Adam are sinners, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” (Tirmidhi)

 

We have to keep positive hope in Allah. And with fair faith that everything we are doing is a part of our worship.

It doesn’t mean that people around who are not following the path of Islam and living the happy life are good and will achieve the blessings of Allah. Stay away from their path and start following the path of Islam, select the unique and right path and then all of Allah’s blessings will be upon you. In Surah Al-An’am, verse no: 116 it is explained plainly;

 

وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

 

Should you obey the majority of those on earth, they would lead you astray from Allâh's way. They follow nothing but mere surmise and they do nothing but make conjectures.