by The Youth of Orange County
Mosque
Peer pressure isn't a
recent phenomenon that belongs only to our generation. Peer pressure is as
old as the creation of human beings. Just the term "peer pressure" has been
publicized lately.
As young Submitters (Muslims
in Arabic), we experience peer pressure when our moral values clash with
the actions, practices or behavior of other youth who live around us, whether
we're at school or in a neighborhood. Therefore, peer pressure usually comes
from non-Submitters (non-Muslims), or from youth who call themselves Muslims
but don't practice any moral values encouraged by the Quran.
To understand why there's
a clash between our values as young Submitters and others' values, we have
to realize that our values come from God in His book, the Quran, which represents
the highest moral values of our life. The others' moral values are derived
from other people who have indulged in immoral lifestyle derived from a desire
to achieve quick pleasure or impress people. This fame and popularity doesn't
last. These people have usually lost their faith or the trust or understanding
of their faith, and they desire temporary world pleasure that has been proven
dangerous, sick and demoralizing.
While peer pressure,
even in a small circle of friends, happens because the majority agrees on
doing something that contradicts the moral value of the minority, it is exactly
what the Quran describes. God reminds us that the majority of the people
in this life will not be believers and accordingly would not and cannot follow
the great moral values presented in the scripture.
[12:103] Most people,
no matter what you do, will not believe.
The Quran even tells
us about peer pressure and gives detailed stories of some of the prophets
and early believers who suffered from such pressure. But they persevered
and held tight to their belief and they ended up being the winners. That
peer pressure included ridicule and making fun of the believers for their
righteous behavior and choices.
[83:29] The wicked used
to laugh at those who believed. When they passed by them, they used to poke
fun. When they got together with their people, they used to joke.
[83:34] Today, those
who believed are laughing at the disbelievers.
[83:35] On luxurious
furnishings they watch.
The Quran even explains
the reason why some people fall for peer pressure and desert their righteous
behavior:
[29:25] He said, "You
worship beside GOD powerless idols due to peer pressure, just to preserve
some friendship among you in this worldly life. But then, on the Day of
Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another. Your destiny
is Hell, wherein you cannot help one another."
Of the many prophets
mentioned in the Quran , the story of Noah is a clear example of peer pressure.
The people of Noah refused to believe in God, made fun of Noah and ridiculed
him and the few believers who believed with him. Their ridicule got even
worse when Noah started building the ark in the middle of nowhere as God
ordered him to get ready for the great flood.
[11:38] While he was
building the ark, whenever some of his people passed by him they laughed
at him. He said, "You may be laughing at us, but we are laughing at you,
just as you are laughing.
God, however, assures
us again and again that the believers will be the last ones to laugh.
[2:212] This worldly
life is adorned in the eyes of the disbelievers, and they ridicule those
who believe. However, the righteous will be far above them on the Day of
Resurrection. GOD blesses whomever He wills, without limits.
More than once, the pressure
to do drugs, smoke, or drink befalls the average teenager, especially Submitters
(Muslims). The pressure to fit in and be "cool" always competes with our
want to be righteous. If we are strong, and persevere in the cause of God,
we will pull through with the right decision, God willing. Even though you
might lose a friend you could've had, you will feel the reward once you just
say "no."
Some of the things we
encounter everyday and are pressured about are:
Smoking
Drugs
Sex
Drinking
Making fun of others
Fitting in
Having intense
relationships
Shoplifting
Swearing
Disobeying the dress
code to look like everyone else
Ditching school
Not being "smart"
Lying
To be someone else
Being "popular" at the
expense of losing righteousness
Cheating
Being rude/disobedient
to parents
Peer pressuring
others
[2:219] They ask you
about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some
benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit."
They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies
the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
As righteous, young
Submitters, God expects us to follow the highest moral values given throughout
the Quran and feel proud of our values, our faith and our strength in the
face of any peer pressure or any blame.
[5:54] O you who believe,
if you revert from your religion, then GOD will substitute in your place
people whom He loves and who love Him. They will be kind with the believers,
stern with the disbelievers, and will strive in the cause of GOD without
fear of any blame. Such is GOD's blessing; He bestows it upon whomever He
wills. GOD is Bounteous, Omniscient.
Most of those who fall
for peer pressure are insecure youth who lack self confidence, who are ignorant
with their religion, and have such a weak faith that the great values given
in the scripture are never on their minds. On the contrary, a true young
Submitter is armed with knowledge and understanding of his/her religion,
is self confident, and stands tall and proud of being on God's side. A good
self-confident Submitter will be the strength and focus of their circle of
friends. These friends will admire and try to move up to the Submitter's
level of moral excellency. The Submitter will not try to lower his or herself
down to match the moral values of the circle of friends. That is what we
can call an admirable reverse of peer pressure.
Managing peer
pressure:
(1) Move away from certain
circles of friends. Befriending the right people is an essential means for
staying on the straight path and avoiding unnecessary peer pressure. In choosing
our friends we should be looking for friends who believe in God and His
scriptures. Living in a society where Submitters (Muslims) are a minority
is a challenge by itself that is fully rewarded by God. In such a society,
finding a righteous friend may not be easy at the beginning but insisting
on them and looking for them is a sign to God that you are sincere in your
search and He will direct you in the right path.
(2) Don't ever feel that
you are missing out or living a boring life just because you don't give in
to peer pressure. Accepting the bad behavior prohibited in the Quran will
end in more misery than the temporary pleasure that it starts with in the
beginning.
(3) Study the Qur'an
. Learn what behavior is pleasing to God, and what kind of lifestyle is
discouraged in Islam, Submission.
(4) Whenever peer pressure
befalls us, remembering God is the best thing we can do. When God is with
us, we can resist anything, as Joseph did when the lady of the house seduced
him.
[12:23] The lady of the
house where he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said,
"I am all yours." He said, "May GOD protect me. He is my Lord, who gave me
a good home.* The transgressors never succeed."
((5) You should be armed
with knowledge about your religion Submission (Islam in Arabic). Have knowledge
about the risk of unrighteous behavior that is encouraged by people around
you. Such knowledge will help you to resist the temptation of peer pressure
and know how to stand for the righteous behavior.
As a young youth holding
to your faith and all the beautiful moral values you should be assured that
God will be your supporter and help you as He did for Joseph.
[3:150] GOD alone is
your Lord and Master, and He is the best supporter.
As a Submitter youth,
you are so lucky, because not only you have parents who care, But, God our
Lord and Master is your supporter and helper to get over these difficulties.
You are lucky because you have the Quran, a book that gives you the right
answer and draw for you the righteous map to avoid all the misachievements
caused by peer pressure during the difficult time. You should be happy and
rejoice in having, God, Quran, your parents and your good friends ,
all on your side.
God bless.
info@submission.org
