In an impactful student meeting, the representative of His Eminence, Ayatollah the Religious Authority Sheikh Basheer Al-Najafy (may Allah prolon his life) and the director of his central office in Najaf Ashraf, Sheikh Ali Al-Najafy received a student delegation from the provinces of Dhi Qar and Babil. During his valuable lecture, he emphasized the importance of prayer and honoring parents, citing examples from Islamic history, and offering practical advice to young people at this sensitive stage of their lives.

Prayer: The Pillar of Religion

Sheikh al-Najafi began his talk by affirming the importance of prayer, using examples from the lives of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, Imam Hussein, and Muslim bin Aqeel (peace be upon them). He explained that Muslim bin Aqeel, the envoy of Imam Hussein (peace be upon them), asked Bakr bin Humran to delay his execution so that he could pray two rak'ahs, demonstrating the value of prayer even in the most difficult moments. He also referenced Imam Hussein's stance in Karbala, where he stood to pray despite the threat of attack by Umar ibn Sa'ad's army, teaching that prayer should not be delayed under any circumstances. Similarly, he mentioned Imam Ali's request to Imam Hasan (peace be upon them) to lead the people in prayer while he was in the final moments of his life, showing that prayer remains a priority even in the hardest situations. He cited Imam al-Sadiq’s (peace be upon him) warning against neglecting prayer, reflecting its importance in religion.

The Path to Paradise

Sheikh Ali Al-Najafy then discussed the importance of honoring parents, emphasizing that this is the path to Paradise. He cited the example of Ali al-Akbar (peace be upon him), who asked Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) to request his mother's prayers before his battle in Karbala, underscoring the significance of parental prayers.

He advised young people to honor their parents, kiss their hands and feet, and visit their graves if they have passed away, explaining that the pleasure of parents is the pleasure of Allah. He warned against disobedience to parents, stating that "the scent of paradise can be smelled from a great distance, but it is not smelled by one who drinks alcohol, cuts ties of kinship, or is disobedient to their parents."

Time Management and Choosing Friends

Sheikh al-Najafi provided practical advice to young people about time management and choosing friends. He encouraged them to divide their time into three parts: time for the Hereafter, time for this world, and time for family, stressing the importance of working for this world as if they would live forever, and working for the Hereafter as if they would die tomorrow.

He urged them to choose their friends carefully, explaining that a good friend will lead them to Paradise, while a bad friend will lead them to Hell.

He emphasized the need to control one’s desires and anger, stating that someone who cannot control their own self cannot control anything in their life.

The Importance of Knowledge and Diligence

Sheikh Ali Al-Najafy advised the youth about the importance of striving for knowledge and diligence in their studies.

He also emphasized the importance of steadfastness during the youth phase, explaining that "this period is very critical, starting with religious obligations and understanding the changes that come with physiological stages. Some young people feel difficulty in forming their character and lack experience and culture, which may lead them to easily deviate." He also stressed the importance of choosing good friends who help them recognize the truth and avoid falsehood and prohibited acts.