The First Step Towards Change - Lecture 8
10thJanuary 2011

1. Whenever we learn something, it would be of little benefit as an abstract understanding without being put into practice. In the same way, when one understands the concepts of truth, justice and freedom, without bringing them into fruition they would remain abstract concepts. To realise them, one needs to change.
2. The first pre-requisite to change is to contemplate and think. Think of what needs to be changed, why it needs to be changed, the benefits and possible negative outcomes of such a change and finally a game plan for how to bring about this change.
The best manner to change one’s own ‘self’ is through introspection in order to bring about organisation within ‘the self’.
3. We find in the world around us that there are people who are organised externally; however, internally they are in turmoil. Such is the example of those who have indulged into sin in the material life. We find that they may have fame, money, they may be living at the peak of luxury, yet it is these same people who flood rehabilitation programmes, who are depressed and who cannot control their addictions. These are people who feel emptiness within themselves.
On the other hand, we find people who have little, yet they are content with what Allah has provided them with.
4. With close observation, we also find that when one desires change, it is possible that they fall into an extreme, where they try to change too quickly. If one tries to change overnight, most probably, his actions will not last too long.
5. In order to make real change, permanent change, one needs to firstly accept that they have faults. Then, they need to find those faults and the best method to find those faults is by
thinking. As Imam Ali (PBUH) says, “Thinking is a clear mirror” and “Thinking pushes one to righteousness and good action”.
6. Now that one has understood the concepts of truth, justice and freedom, they begin to act in order to change, slowly yet steadily and without greed. Here, we may ask, are there a people whom God has made more receptive and more energetic when it comes to ‘action’ and ‘change’ both individually and in society? The answer, yes. In a final statement of the Prophet (PBUH) to Abu Dharr, he mentions, that there are two practices which have been taken for granted, and that mankind misuses them. They are health and spare time.

7. Who is it that tends to have health and spare time? The ‘Youth’. We also find in the same statement, the famous tradition of the Prophet (PBUH), he says to Abu Dharr to take advantage of five things before they are taken away. These are, youth before old age, health before sickness, wealth before poverty, spare time before becoming occupied and life before death.
8. In our families, communities and societies we must encourage greater participation from the youth, give them roles of leadership and responsibility so that they become integral parts of society. Of course the elders of a society should remain, to guide and teach the youth.
9. As per a Prophet tradition, teaching a youth something is like engraving it in stone, and teaching something to an elderly person is like writing on water. It is a fact, that a youth is more receptive and therefore he/she will have more ideas, more energy and a far greater ability on a general scale, to bring about change.
10. Al-Sadiq (PBUH) states, “I only like to see the young man from among you occupied in either of two states: leaving or teaching, for if he does not [engage in either of these two], he is wasting his time; and by wasting his time, he will lose out; and by losing out, he will be committing a sin; and by committing a sin, he will dwell in the Fire, by the One who sent Muhammad with the truth”.
11. Although the majority of traditions and the consensus in society may lead one to believe a youth to be a young man, the true definition as presented by the Ahlulbayt (PBUT) is quite different. Al-Sadiq (PBUH) once asked a man, “Who do you consider a youth”, to which the man replied, “A young man”. Imam said, “No, a youth is a believer, for verily the Companions of the Cave were middle-aged men, yet Allah called them fitya (young/youth) because of their belief”.