Bismillah

Wa'alaikumu salaam Amina 16,

Muslim youth asks all sorts of questions in the process of seeking knowledge. Perhaps some of the very fundamental aspects of faith are not as clear as general position on drugs and smoking. It should not be a problem for the Sheikhs to answer questions on Allah and the Qur'an. After all, that's their specialisation.

The scholars should, indeed, spend more time in explaining the true meaning of the declaration of faith - the Shahada beofore jabbering on undesireability of music or importance of keeping the beard. And the youth should also begin from the basics to strengthen their spiritual and intellectual foundation.  

Its normal for children to question the establishment.  This means religion too.  In the west, I've seen teenagers bounce from ideology to ideology until they find out who they are and which one best suits them.  I was one of those.

The best thing to do is practice patience, encourage them to read and study and to stick to the basics.

MOCKBA is correct.  Instead of addressing music and beards, they should be starting with Muhammed, the Quran and Allah. 

You must have Milk before you can have Meat.

I recently just started reading about the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbup) and the translation of Quran. I must say that, its most interesting and better than reading unknowlegdeable books. I wasnt raised in an "islamic environment".