The expectations of the Imams (as) from the young Shiites in achieving perfection

In the narration sources, responsibilities of the Shi’a have been explained. These responsibilities are sometimes approached from the gender point of view_ Muslim men and women_ or regarding different phases of a person’s life. Variety and multiplicity of narrations regarding youth and how to make the best of it, and influence of this part of life on one’s destiny all tell about the special focus of the hadiths on this issue. Therefore, reviewing the hadiths about youth seems to be needed. Thus, the Shi’a youth gets to know their duties, distinguishes disturbing factors and at the end learns the way to implement those responsibilities. After considering youth in the hadiths, this paper classifies the obstacles for the youth to implement their duties: 1) Internal flaws which include innate features of a youngster like limited wisdom, knowledge and experience, their arrogance and seeking limitless freedom which leads to outburst of sensuality. 2) External disturbing factors including bad friends, putting the religion under doubtful questions, misusing the mass media like the satellite and the internet and wasting time. So, one responsibility is to keep away from internal and external flaws. After a successful passage from these obstacles, they must fulfill expectation of the Imams. The expectations can be approached from three angles of learning, skill and spirituality. First the learning angle deals
with understanding the human value, theology, knowing religious laws, acquiring knowledge and wisdom. Second, the skill part expects the youth to prepare a schedule, make the best of their time and never waste it. They must appoint a time for work according to their talents. With discipline, they must arrange their lives and finally select an appropriate spouse based on the religion to reach perfection. Finally, the spiritual angle expects the Shi’a youth to get closer to perfection by self purification, reinforcing positive characteristics (thinking, strengthening will and fighting base whims), avoiding negative features, nurturing self-respect and contentment. By fulfilling expectations of the Imams regarding the three angles, the Shi’a youth will be set in the right road to perfection.