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I’m gonna make a thread about my relationship with religion so here it goes: I didn’t grow up in a religious family at all. We were never really forced to pray (I didn’t even know how until I was 18). Fasting in Ramadan was optional. Religion entirely was never forced on us.
However, my parents always made sure we learned about Islam & understand it. My dad encouraged us to learn about all religions and make our own decisions when it came to our personal beliefs. My parents were cultural and enforced certain Arabic traditions on us but never religion
As I grew up I always tried to find my own balance & it’s difficult. I’m so thankful for the way my parents taught us religion because it made me grow up with a positive image of Islam. Everything we learned was based on the Quran and we understood it well.
I decided to start praying at 18 and because it’s not something I grew up learning to do, it didn’t come naturally. I struggled at the beginning and I started out only praying once a day and then moved it to twice a day.
After that I couldn’t move past one or two prayers a day because I was really busy (not an excuse). Now Im almost 20 and I still skip a lot of prayers and most of the time I still can’t manage to pray more than 2 times a day but I’m constantly trying to work on it.
I really hope in the future I can learn to pray more consistently and just develop and overall better connection with God. But now I wanna talk about all the negativity I received from the some people in the Muslim community.
I don’t understand why some Muslims are so discouraging towards other Muslims trying to improve their relationship with God & other muslims with different beliefs. There’s no need for us to constantly invalidate others beliefs.
When I first started praying a lot of my friends would constantly bug me about my lack of consistency & nail polish. I was always being told my prayers won’t count cause of nail polish so I researched into it. I was struggling to pray consistently and all I got was negativity.
I don’t believe nail polish ruins Wudu (not trying to argue. I just have a different belief). Of course I was constantly bugged about it. For me telling someone their prayers won’t be answered/counted feels like you’re taking Gods place in judgement. Also very demotivating.
And tbh there’s a HUGE difference between giving someone friendly advice and telling them they practice religion wrong and it won’t matter if they pray or not because of nail polish.
and then there were my clothes. I don’t wear a headscarf. My mom doesn’t wear one either. Kids my class when I was younger constantly told me my mom was gonna go to hell for it and God will drop fire stones or whatever on her during Dooms day.
I now think it’s really weird how at such a young age kids were making these comments. I just wish encouragement and inclusivity was more prominent.
Also a lot of the people who were judging me for minor things like the way I dressed were commuting kaba2er. I didn’t say anything tho because it simply isn’t my place to judge or comment on people’s lives because at the end of the day you never see the full picture.
My parents always taught me that judging someone’s “sins” is the worst sin because you are taking Gods place. Now I find it ironic how as humans it’s easy for us to judge others but when someone questions our sins we become world class lawyers.
I decided to make this thread because even tho it’s Ramadan, the month of forgiveness people are still constantly posting about how your fast doesn’t count if ur not praying 5 times a day. I just feel like this is such a discouraging comment for people who are trying.
Also There’s many verses in the Quran where God specifically says to fast only if you are physically able to. I know people who struggle to fast due to many personal reasons WHICH THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE TO ANYONE.
I hate how some people feel like they deserve an explanation from someone else as to why they aren’t fasting. Some reasons are personal and no one owes anyone anything. This is between them and God. Give them advice if u want but don’t be a prick about it.
Ramadan has always been my favorite time of the year. I love the vibes of everyone trying to be better and being a bit more religious. It’s sad to see all the comments alienating people who are taking baby steps or trying their best.
It’s only the first day and I’ve seen tons of posts that genuinely seem disgusting and hurtful. Like if someone sins all year around and their being respectful and religious during the holy month shouldn’t we encourage it?? Stop making people feel like little things don’t matter.
I learned not to let people’s opinions affect how I want to express religion and worship God but I can’t help about thinking of people who are trying. It’s really not a nice feeling when ur trying to improve your Iman and u see posts condemning your beliefs. I would know.
Just because you don’t think someone’s best at this time is not good enough Islamically doesn’t mean you should voice it. Give people a break and let them have their baby steps. Encourage them with kindness and motivation.
So for anyone trying to improve their Iman I want you to know it’s good enough and just keep going and that you’re on the right track. It’s okay to work on your own pace 
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Also please don’t Dm me or comment on this trying to argue. The purpose of this thread isn’t to spread negativity but to raise awareness and acceptance. Ramadan Kareem https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✨" title="Sparkles" aria-label="Emoji: Sparkles">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">
