If I could speak to my teenage self, here’s what I’d say

On a quiet evening, as we sat around the dinner table with laughter and stories filling the room, one of the younger attendees turned to me with a question that cut through the noise:

“If you could go back in time to when you were 15, what advice would you give yourself?”

The question took me back in a way that words rarely do.

In an instant, I could almost see my 15-year-old self — a young boy with a glimmer of ambition in his eyes, a touch of fuzz on his chin, and the first hints of a moustache.

He was eager, full of dreams, and, like many young people, just a bit reckless, a little too sure of himself.

I smiled at the memory, letting my heart speak first, words forming a letter across time to that young version of me.

Here is that letter.

My dear Fuad…

I’m writing to you from your future, with some of the wisdom and scars I’ve gathered along the way.

Find a quiet place, get comfortable, and listen closely to a few things I wish I’d known when I was your age.

You’re not the smartest person in the room, and that’s a good thing

I know you’re smart.

You’re quick, you read a lot, you stay up to date on everything around you.

And maybe sometimes you feel like you’re ahead of others, that you know more than your friends or even your teachers.

But remember: intelligence without humility is a trap. Even if people say you’re clever, don’t let it get to your head.

There’s always more to learn, and each person you meet knows something you don’t.

Stay humble; it’s the only way you’ll grow.

Trust those who want the best for you, even when they seem outdated

I know you sometimes feel like your parents, your teachers, and older folks just don’t “get it”.

Their advice can feel like it’s from another time, out of place in your world. But I promise you, they’re not here to control you; they’re here to protect you.

Their words are borne from experience, from love. They’ve seen dangers you can’t yet imagine. Trust them, even when it’s hard.

And remember, not everyone who agrees with you has your best interests at heart.

Be wise in choosing your friends, and be cautious with people who only tell you what you want to hear.

Appreciate every moment spent learning and building (even that annoying language class)

Do you think about those Qur’ān study sessions, or the language classes you sometimes dread because they take up your free time?

Believe me when I say that these are the most valuable moments of your youth. The knowledge you’re gaining, the wisdom you’re absorbing — it will all become the foundation of the man you’re going to be.

One day, you’ll be grateful for each verse you memorised, each phrase you mastered.

The games and hobbies you skip now won’t matter in a few years, but the learning you carry forward will.

Choose friends who lift you up and guide you in the right direction

There’s an old saying,

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”

So find friends who bring out the best in you.

Look for people who encourage you to be a better person, like your friend Hashim, who’s already finished memorising the Qur’ān, or Nasser, who shares your love of reading.

These are the people who’ll keep you on track and push you to grow. You’ll be laughing, sharing, and learning together — and these friendships will be a source of strength for years to come.

Remember, loyalty, respect, and faith are the bonds that make a friendship last.

Guard your innocence — it’s more precious than you know

It’s easy to get distracted by things that seem exciting but ultimately mean nothing.

Avoid what can lead you down paths that only harm your spirit — things like drugs, distractions like relationships that pull you away from what’s right, and entertainment that robs you of your purity and self-respect.

Stay close to the things that nurture your soul: your prayers, your family, your Qur’ān studies.

The more you invest in yourself now, the richer and more fulfilling your future will be.

Finally, remember that your relationship with God is your most valuable connection

As you grow, you’ll find that your bond with God is a source of strength you can lean on through anything.

That time you spend in prayer, those moments of fasting or studying your faith, those little acts of devotion — they are the most precious memories of your youth.

They’re the moments that will light your path. No worldly success can replace the peace you feel when you’re close to Him.

One day, you’ll look back and remember that peaceful early morning when you prayed, or the verse from the Qur’ān that moved you to tears. Hold onto those moments; they’re worth more than gold.

My dear Fuad,

Life will take you through many paths, but if you hold onto these lessons, you’ll find yourself stronger, happier, and more at peace.

This is what I would tell you, and what I wish someone had told me.

With love,
Your future self

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Source: Islam21c