Our Responsibility

You, as a mature young woman, may differ from your mature brother who both reached the stage of responsibility; but, both of you have a certain responsibility - according to the nature of creation of each of you - and have a common responsibility. You are responsible for certain deeds, likewise, he is also responsible for the same deeds. It is possible to find slight differences in your responsibility and his own, but in a general terms, you have a common responsibility that doesn't differ from each of you.

Since when our father Adam and mother Eve (Hawwa') lived in Paradise, as mentioned by the Almighty Allah in His book, they were faced with common responsibilities: (Did I not forbid you) and (and tell you) and (That Satan was an avowed enemy unto you) (Holy Qur'an: 7: 22). The message here is clear; Adam had his responsibility and, likewise, Eve.

Based on this, we will understand that we, as young boys and girls, must take our responsibilities individually. If a young fellow discharges his own responsibility, as required, he will be rewarded with addition, but, if he refuses or does it wrong he will pay for his shortcomings (One day every soul will come up struggling for itself) (Holy Qur'an: 16:111).

Some youth might think wrongly that the responsibility of a young boy is less than that of the young girl, as if the reputation of a young girl is not the same as that of a young boy. No, their responsibility is on one line, as the young girl will be held responsible for her wrong doing; likewise, a young boy who does wrong; even if people's opinion towards them differs.

All Qur'anic calls and injunctions, whether they came in the form of second person plural, or with the word 'people' or 'Oh ye who believe' or 'Oh children of Adam', is an address for both sexes; male and female. And there are some verses that combine both of them, in terms of responsibility, like in this blessed verse:

(For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and reward) (Holy Qur'an: 33:35).

Adapted from the book: "Youth Aspiration Towards Responsibility" by:  "Al Balagh Foundation"