Youth and Historical Responsibility
The pages of history, both good and evil, are folded…it is the responsibility of the past generations; we will not be questioned on its negativity or otherwise: (That was a people that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do! Of their merits there is no question in your case), (Holy Qur'an: 2:134).
Then, what will be our position on history?
Can we lead the best part of our history and legacy even though it has what may benefit our present being? No doubt we can be able to deduct new views and experiences through reading history and its lessons. Experience has shown that those who are versed in history and its lessons are more powerful in their views on the present time and future.
It is a historical responsibility to read our history and the history of the world objectively without limit and it should not be fanatically or extremism between rejecting everything and accepting all that is in it. It is the production of a man like us, it may be correct or otherwise. It may contain things that are not originally there, this may make us not to regard history in the same position with the Holy Qur'an or other pure legacies that don't accept argument or refutation. Anything in history should be subjected to discussion, argument, study, criticism, and contemplation.
Some youth might say: We are people of today, therefore, we are less concerned with what has past. Thus, we are here, we are calling toward looking deep into the past, but can take from our past for our present what benefits us. Indeed, it is a Qur'anic call towards us: (Do they not travel through the earth), (Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with…), (Say Go ye through the earth and see….). Therefore, we should not consider all the conditions of the past and their experiences as correct or unacceptable. Thus, historical responsibility requires that we should look into events and views more than we are looking at signs and men. Those might have passed the road of history; nothing is left of them except views based on studies, thinking and experiences. No doubt some of their actions are acceptable while others are rejected.
Adapted from the book: "Youth Aspiration Towards Responsibility" by: "Al Balagh Foundation"