Adolescence: Turmoil or a Turning Point? (A Psychological and Islamic Perspective).Written by Youssra Muhammad Galal Muhammad Selim.Edited by Ishmael Mailos

 Adolescence: Turmoil or a Turning Point? (A Psychological and Islamic Perspective)

Introduction:Do you remember your teenage years?

Were they filled with clashing opinions, closed doors, and endless debates with your parents about your future? Did you ever sneak the car keys and imagine yourself in a high-speed movie scene? For many of us, adolescence was a time of self-discovery, friction, and questioning everything—from school rules to religious values.

Such exploration often comes with tension. Parents, after years of nurturing their children, may suddenly feel overwhelmed by mood swings, resistance, and unfamiliar behaviors. But must adolescence always be seen as a crisis?

Could it instead be a powerful season of transformation?

What Is Adolescence, Anyway?

Adolescence is the transformative stage between childhood and adulthood. It has been described as “the threshold to adulthood” (Martin et al., 2013), spanning the onset of puberty to the assumption of adult roles. Puberty typically begins around age 11 for girls and 12 for boys, although its course varies across cultures.

Psychologist Erik Erikson (1968) described adolescence as a psycho-social moratorium — a pause where young individuals explore identities, boundaries, and life roles while asking the age-old question: Who am I?

In Islamic understanding, this stage — referred to as al-murāhaqa — begins as early as age 10. It marks the approach of puberty and the gradual entrance into taklīf (moral and legal responsibility). Unlike many modern portrayals that frame this period as chaotic, Islamic psychology views it as a time of preparation, trust, and growth.

The Challenges Teens Face: More Than Just Hormones

Adolescence is complex, but not hopeless. Let’s explore what’s happening during this season of life:

 Physical:

Puberty brings rapid changes: growth spurts, hormonal shifts, and body transformations — often leading to discomfort with body image. Girls, in particular, may struggle with self-esteem, turning to restrictive diets or appearance-altering behavior.

 Cognitive:

The emotional part of the brain (limbic system) develops faster than the logic center (prefrontal cortex). This results in impulsive decisions, emotional outbursts, and risk-taking behavior.

 Social:

Adolescents begin seeking identity outside the family. Friends become central, and peer pressure can be intense. Teens may reject parental control, testing new roles and affiliations.

 Ideological:

With expanded access to information and media, teens begin to explore belief systems — sometimes encountering ideas like secularism, feminism, or atheism, which may conflict with Islamic values. 

Mindset Psychology: Reframing Adolescence as Growth

Carol Dweck’s mindset psychology introduces a powerful concept: the growth mindset — the belief that abilities and character can be developed through effort, reflection, and learning. Adolescents are at a prime stage to internalize this mindset.

Instead of labeling mistakes as failures, parents and teens can adopt the view that struggles are stepping stones. When a teen pushes boundaries, they’re not being “bad” — they’re learning how far is too far, and what kind of person they wish to become.

This psychological lens complements the Islamic model: both recognize that development happens through challenge.

Reframing the Narrative: Adolescence as a Gift

Rather than viewing adolescence as a storm, what if we see it as a rite of passage?

Historically, the idea of adolescence as turmoil is relatively new. In Ancient Greece, children were considered capable of reason by age 7, and boys were expected to train for societal roles by age 16 (Durant & Durant, 1961). The modern view of adolescence as emotional chaos emerged in the West during the Industrial Revolution, and was popularized by Stanley Hall in 1904.

In Islam, the transition into adolescence is welcomed with responsibility — not suspicion.

The Qur’an says:

“It is Allah Who created you in a state of weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave you weakness and grey hair...”(Quran 30:54)

These physical and emotional fluctuations are part of the divine plan — a natural sequence of maturation, not an error.

A Fitrah-Friendly Framework

Islamic psychologist Ṭāriqī (2015) describes adolescence as a stage to preserve and prepare the natural self (fitrah) for adult responsibility.

Here’s how Islam and psychology help us reframe adolescence:

 Cognitive:

Teens become mukallaf — morally accountable. Mistakes should be seen as inexperience, not rebellion.

Psychological:

The desire to define identity is honored. Islam doesn’t suppress autonomy; it channels it through responsibility: prayer, fasting, leadership.

 Social:

Youth are entrusted with serious roles. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“O young men! Whoever among you can afford to marry, let him marry...”(Hadith)

Assigning teens meaningful tasks — like teaching Qur’an or volunteering — shifts them from self-centeredness to community contribution, boosting their confidence and maturity.

Real-Life Role Models

The seerah offers powerful examples:

· Usāma ibn Zayd, appointed to lead an army at age 17.

· ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, who embraced Islam as a child and stood firm in defense of the Prophet ﷺ.

· Countless youth who memorized Qur’an and transmitted Hadith at early ages.

Islam sees potential where others see immaturity.

What Can Parents (and Teens) Do?

For Parents:

· Empathize, don’t pathologize. Mood swings are not defiance — they’re growing pains.

· Trust early. The Prophet ﷺ trusted young companions with leadership roles before they “proved” themselves.

· Nurture spirituality alongside academics.

· Assign real responsibility — faith-building tasks, community engagement, family contributions.

For Teens:

· Embrace challenges — they build your character.

· Find mentors, not just influencers.

· Explore Islam as a relationship with Allah — not just a list of rules.

· Invest your energy — your identity is more than what’s on a screen.

 Final Reflection: Trust the Process

Adolescence doesn’t have to be a battlefield. It can be a bridge — from confusion to clarity, from self-doubt to purpose. As mentors, parents, and educators, we must believe in the potential of our youth — just as Allah does when He entrusts them with taklīf.

Let’s stop seeing adolescence as a threat, and start seeing it as an amānah — a divine opportunity to nurture resilient, God-conscious leaders of tomorrow.

References

· Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. W. W. Norton & Company.

· Martin, G. N., Carlson, N. R., & Buskist, W. (2013). Psychology. Pearson.

· Stangor, C. (2018). Introduction to Psychology.

· Durant, A., & Durant, W. (1961). The Story of Civilization. Simon & Schuster.

· Ṭāriqī, ‘Abdullah. (2015). Da‘ahu Fa-Innahu Murāhiq!.

· Qur’an, 30:54 (Surah Ar-Rum).

· Sahih Muslim (sunnah.com).

· Dixon, R. B. (1971). Population Studies, 25(2).

· Omar, A. M. (2008). Mu‘jam al-Lughah al-‘Arabiyyah al-Mu‘āsirah.

· Mawsūʻah Fiqhiyah, Kuwait Fiqh Encyclopedia (2007).