Strangers. Sometimes in life it feels like we are unwanted, unneeded and unwelcomed. Some of us have recently decided to start walking the path to the Divine, to worship Him and to enslave ourselves to the Master of the world. With that decision comes many sacrifices, sacrifices that people around you may not understand, or may not care to understand. You may have decided to change your style of dress, maybe you’ve given up going to certain places or watching certain shows. Or maybe you’ve just decided to start praying or decided every sentence doesn’t need to be glamourized with curses. You’re different, and you want God to see that you’re taking steps to please Him.

Even though you realize that you need to make these changes, you’re starting to feel distant. You’re losing friends, family members, and maybe even work opportunities. You’re starting to second guess whether these changes that you’ve made in your life are worth it. You’ve started telling yourself that God knows what is in your heart, “Why am I making sacrifices that are causing me to lose out on great opportunities!”

I know it isn’t easy. But there is something extremely important for you to understand. Just because you’re struggling right now, just because it seems you’re losing people that are extremely important to you, doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way. Okay, so you’ve passed up on going to a party because you no longer drink or want to be surrounded by a certain group of people, there’s going to come a day when you’re going to see the benefits of that sacrifice.

I’ll tell you personally that I’ve lost so many friends on this journey called life, and more so this journey of faith that I’m on. I also can’t count the number of friends that I’ve gained, including all of you. It’s about looking straight ahead and not being distracted by the various aspects of life that try to divert you from God.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler along a path.”

Keep walking through the crowd. Head towards the light, for the sake of God and no one else then come back and tell me years from now how glad you are that you changed your life for the better! I’ll be waiting.

Your biggest supporter,

Arthur

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