Youth Personality Development and Self-Purification: Islamic Educational Principles in Contemporary Context

نوجوان نسل کی شخصیت سازی اور تزکیۂ نفس: عصرِ حاضر کے تناظر میں اسلامی فکری و تربیتی اصولوں کی معنویت

Abstract

The youth represent the future of any nation and serve as the foundational pillars for its intellectual, moral, and spiritual development. Their holistic upbringing is essential for the formation of a healthy and progressive society. In the contemporary era, young people face a multitude of challenges, including moral decline, psychological stress, spiritual emptiness, and an identity crisis. The overwhelming influence of social media, consumer culture, Western ideological dominance, and the weakening of traditional family and educational structures have significantly impacted their character and worldview. As a result, key aspects of personality development such as self-awareness, value-based decision-making, and a clear sense of purpose are gradually eroding. In such a context, the comprehensive development of youth must address both external capabilities like communication skills, confidence, and leadership and internal purification of the soul, known in Islamic thought as Tazkiyah al-Nafs. This dual approach ensures that young individuals are not only intellectually and professionally capable but also morally grounded and spiritually conscious. This study explores the potential of youth training through the integrated lens of Islamic teachings and modern psychological theories. The findings reveal a significant research gap, particularly in addressing this topic with a specific focus on the youth age group, in culturally relevant contexts, and with the inclusion of spiritual dimensions. Given the complexity of modern-day challenges, there is a pressing need to develop a balanced and comprehensive training model that harmoniously blends Islamic values, ethical development, and psychological insights, thus enabling the emergence of a morally upright, emotionally balanced, and socially responsible generation.