يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُحَرِّمُوا۟ طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَآ أَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ ٨٧

وَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَـٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ ٨٨

“O believers! Do not forbid the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.

Eat of the good, lawful things provided to you by Allah. And be mindful of Allah in Whom you believe.” — Quran 5:87-88

Most things in life are Halal and permissible for us; most types of food, in abundance; travelling to the corners of the earth and even into space; spending time with friends, family and loved ones; so many types of business and luxuries; outdoor hobbies and exercise; reading and relaxing; the vast list goes on.

It’s easy for young people to focus on the few things that are not permissible, such as smoking, or intoxicants, gambling or interest; but in reality these are a tiny minority of activities that make up the human experience. When we look at the things that are haram, they are mostly demerit goods that are bad for us even in a worldly sense.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَـٰمُ رِجْسٌۭ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ٩٠

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ فِى ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَنِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ ٩١

“O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.

Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?”

— Quran 5:90-91

Gambling, alcohol, headiness are all a form of escapism. Leading our souls to escape from what we really need, which is nearness to Allah. Anything that is Haram, is only made haram for us as it is bad for our souls; taking us further from Allah.

As our souls were near to Him before this life so we yearn to be near to Him again. Only nearness to Him will fill the call of our souls, the call to witness something bigger. To feel at peace knowing who is looking out for us; the one that has always helped us, and allowed things to work out for the best in our lives, through thick and thin, always landing us on our feet.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٢٨

“Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” — Quran 13:28