What Are the Best Ways for a Teenager to Spend Her Free Time?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
What are the best ways for a teenager to spend her free time, and what are some recommended readings?
Answer
Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your sincerity and for wanting to use your precious time, health, and youth while you have it.
Free Time and Health
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Two blessings which many people squander: Good health and free time.” [Ibn Majah]
And Ibn’ Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Take advantage of five things before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” [Bayhaqi]
Knowledge
Although different people will tell you different things, I feel that this should be the busiest time in your life. Youth should be used for memorizing and learning knowledge that will benefit you. I urge you to learn Arabic, learn to read the Quran correctly, memorize it, and learn the rulings of personally obligatory knowledge, ‘aqida and seera of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
Of course, during these years, you should be doing your absolute best in school and preparing yourself for a career that will benefit you and provide balance with your family life. Picking up domestic skills is particularly practical and useful, and ignore those who don’t value it anymore.
Supplications
I urge you to say these duas and ask Allah Most High to guide you to that which He loves. Trust that He will.
”اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْماً نَافِعاً، وَرِزْقاً طَيِّباً، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً.“
“O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is of benefit, a good provision, and deeds that will be accepted.” [Ibn Majah]
”اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ زَوَالِ نِعْمَتِكَ, وَتَحَوُّلِ عَافِيَتِكَ, وَفَجْأَةِ نِقْمَتِكَ, وَجَمِيعِ سَخَطِكَ.“
“O Allah! I seek refuge in you from the withholding of your favor, the decline of the good health you have given, the suddenness of your vengeance, and from all forms of your wrath.” [Muslim]
Please see these links as well:
- To What Extent Should We Not Waste Time?
- Make the Most of Your Free Time With This Great Supplication
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
