“I don’t believe in God.” Five small words that no Muslim parent ever wants to hear uttered by their teen. Unfortunately, the reality is that many Muslim youth today do question their faith and may potentially follow a path of denial. Unlike other fears that parents may have regarding raising their children, lack of faith is one that can go unnoticed initially since the teen might outwardly continue to share in the religious rituals, but internally he or she may feel their faith fading away. Parents and community members often look for overt signs or indications that a teen is rebelling against the deen such as not praying or fasting, use of drugs or alcohol, or evidence of dating or inappropriate relationships. Yet, the complexity of losing one’s religion lies more in the state of the heart than in outward rebellion seen in the behavior. “Indeed in the body there is a lump of flesh; if it is good, the entire body will be good, and if it is corrupted, the entire body becomes corrupted, and that is the heart” (Sahih Muslim).

By Dr. Suzy Ismail | Jan-Feb 2015 issue

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