Muslim Youth in the 21st Century

As the twentieth century comes to an end it is time to reflect on our achievements and failures in responding to the Qur'anic challenge of creating a good society on earth. The entire human history has been a history of the struggle to bring about this ideal society. The ideal that Islam is seeking is also a universal ideal for the entire humanity. It has been a mission of all the prophets and all the sages to see that humanity through its spiritual and moral perfection brings about the establishment of a just community. But it has not been an easy task. Many a people in the world have struggled and strived to make this earth a better place to live: a place that would reveal a balanced individual exhibiting a highly spiritual life informed by absolute moral values through the primary institutions of socialization like family, community, religious centers, and so on. In this regard the Qur'an has reminded us more than once that "A man receives but only that for which he strives; that his endeavors will be judged, and only then will he receive his recompense in full." (53:39-41) In other words, humanity has to continue to strive to earn its final reward in full. How to maintain that dynamic momentum in faith by striving to remain a Muslim, that is, a person who has "submitted" his/her total being to the Divine will?