Development of the Mind
When puberty starts, our brain begins to go through many changes. These changes will affect your physical appearance, how you think, how you feel, and how you act.
This period of time can be very confusing, and one during which you might see yourself as a grown-up who is ready to make their own decisions. The reality is that during this time in your life, your brain is still developing and changing, and so is the way you process information.
An adult’s brain is fully developed. This usually means they are better at making decisions and are able to understand the consequences of their decisions. Although it might seem unfair that parents make certain decisions for you, it is important to learn to see it as a good thing, and something that is necessary. They are there to guide you during a time in which your decision-making could get you into trouble. You have plenty of time to ‘be in charge’ when you become an adult, when your brain is fully developed and when you no longer feel these strange and new emotions.
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۚ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
Soorah Ankaboot: 8
Allaah has ordered us to be obediant to our parents as long as our parents do not order us with sin. This order isn’t just directed towards children or even teenagers, but also to adults. Being kind and obedient to our parents is an important part of being Muslim, and an indication of the virtue our parents have over us. From the blessing that Allaah allowed them to raise us when we were children, but also because they know things about life that we, as children or young adults, are still not aware of.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.
Soorah Nisaa: 59
Allaah has also stated that we need to be obedient to those who are in charge and have been given authority over us. This includes government, police, teachers and most importantly, our parents. We don’t always agree with their decisions, but agreeing isn’t a condition to obeying. At the very least, we should acknowledge the fact that they’ve been on this planet longer than us, seen more than us, understand more things that we do and therefore deserve our respect and obedience.
In conclusion, this chapter will show you how the brain of a teenager undergoes changes that would hinder it from always making the right decisions in life. Lets learn how our brain works and what to expect.