ABU DHABI // Young people are closer to God when they make good use of their free time, worshippers will be told in today's sermon.
Imams across the country will urge the young to refine their instincts, purify their inner selves and exercise self-restraint. They will encourage those who are well-off to marry, in order to guard them against sin, citing the hadith, "O young people! Whoever among you can marry should marry. Marriage helps lower the gaze and guard modesty."
Young worshippers will also be urged to take advantage of cultural, scientific and recreational facilities.
"A man shall be asked concerning five matters on the Day of Judgement," reads a hadith the imams will cite. "Their life, how they spent it; their youth, how they grew old; their wealth, how they acquired it and how they spent it; and what they did with the knowledge they had."
Worshippers will be reminded that a person who passes their youth in the service of God will be one of seven kinds of people sheltered under the shade of God on Judgement Day.
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