Hadith: Allah the Almighty Does Not Oppress His Servants

📖 Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah the Almighty said: 'O My servants, I have forbidden injustice for Myself and I have forbidden it (oppression, injustice) among you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those whom I have guided, so seek guidance from Me (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) and I shall guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those whom I have fed, so seek food from Me (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those whom I have clothed, so seek clothing from Me (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and day and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness from Me (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you are unable to harm Me and you are unable to bring benefit to Me (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala). O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to be as pious as the most pious heart of anyone of you, that would not increase My dominion at all. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of anyone of you, that would not decrease My dominion at all. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not diminish what I have any more than a needle would diminish the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is only your deeds that I record and then recompense for you. Let him who finds good praise Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala), and let him who finds something else blame no one but himself."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2577

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

Tips: Some Advice On Dealing With Negative Feedback And Criticism

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

🗒️ Some advice on dealing with negative feedback and criticism: 

✅ If the criticism is valid, true and justified, while it was delivered appropriately with good intention (the critic wants you to improve and genuinely cares about you): 

➡️ Be thankful for their concern and grateful for the many opportunities to become a better Muslim. 

~•~

✅ If the criticism is invalid, wrong and unjustified, while it was delivered inappropriately with bad intention (the critic just wants you to feel bad about yourself): 

➡️ Completely ignore their absurd insults, avoid meaningless dialogues with them as much as possible, and learn not to be like them in being obsessed with fault-finding. Patiently persist in doing what you believe can please Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala as long as you're not purposely harming anybody including yourself. 

~•~

✅ If the criticism is factual and there's good intention behind it but it was delivered wrongly: 

➡️ Acknowledge that the criticism is valid. Don't be too arrogant to deny your mistakes. Request the critic to correct your errors next time in a more decent and morally acceptable way.

~•~

✅ If the criticism is valid but its delivery and the actual motive behind it are wrong: 

➡️ Benefit from the honest feedback. Utilize the criticism intelligently for self-improvement. Avoid envious critics and toxic pessimists for Allah's sake as much as possible. 

~•~

✅ If the criticism is clearly inaccurate and the negative comments don't describe you at all, but the way they were conveyed are seemingly considerate and those advising actually want what's good for you: 

➡️ Clarify to the confused critics, with good manners, how they misunderstand the issue or explain to them politely how they're the ones who got it wrong. 

~•~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The believer is a mirror to his faithful brother. He protects him against loss and defends him behind his back." 

Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, 'The believer is a mirror to his brother. If he sees something wrong in him, he should correct it.' 

Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 239 

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani 

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.' Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills." Verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2664

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/10/tips-trust-allah-and-never-be-affected.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/11/poem-go-for-allahs-love-and-mercy-not.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/06/note-tips-on-how-to-avoid-staying-hurt.html 

https://youtu.be/BBzE39q5_Jk 

https://m.youtube.com/c/AliMuhammadAli/videos

Poem: What Is Love? "True Love" - What's Its Definition?

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

💌 Ever asked yourself these questions "why do you love him? 

What is it that keeps you attracted to your husband? 

Do you love your spouse for being blessed with cute children, 

Or was your affection formed since you found him handsome? 

Do you love him for his wealth, jokes or social standing? 

~•~

What motivates you to stay loyal to your husband 

When there are other men who are wealthier than him, 

More prestigious and successful in their profession, 

Or more good-looking so he holds your full attention?

Why still respect your spouse despite frequent arguments?

~•~

What is love to you? True love - what's your definition?" 

What is love? Well, from my experience, understanding, 

And opinion, true love comes with sincere intention. 

It's when you accept the man whom Allah has chosen

As your soulmate and this bond leads to Jannah's entrance.

~•~

Love isn't "Do this for me and I'll do the same thing." 

Nor "Always be nearby if your care is genuine.", 

But true love is the one that's felt for Allah our King. 

It's learning to love the man whom Allah has chosen, 

And this love trains you to be more kind, brave and patient. 

~•~

Love inspires you to pardon your husband's shortcomings, 

To practice Shukr when he's present and sweet patience 

Or Sabr in his absence and when he's mistaken. 

Love for Allah's sake reminds you your spouse is human 

And in Jannah you can enjoy his flawless version. 

~•~

You can tell that loving your husband is a blessing

When this love strengthens your faith Imaan as a Muslim,  

When you're inspired to say Du'a each time you miss him, 

And his keenness to remarry isn't a problem. 

Love is when you won't let pride disrupt a connection. 

~•~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If I were to order anyone to prostrate to another, I would have ordered a wife to prostrate before her husband."

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1159

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to At-Tirmidhi

Ali Al-Qari said, "That she prostrates to her husband is due to the number of his rights over her and her difficulty in maintaining gratitude for them. This rhetorical point conveys the obligation of the wife to obey her husband in his rights. Indeed, (Sujood) prostration is not lawful to anyone other than Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala."

Source: Mirqāt Al-Mafātīḥ 5/2125 

📖 Abdullah Ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The world is enjoyment and the best enjoyment in the world is a righteous wife."

Source: Sahih Muslim 1467

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/01/poem-love-for-allahs-sake-and-marriage.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/04/poem-what-it-means-to-truly-love-for.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/03/poem-true-love-for-allahs-sake-can-go.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/04/poem-how-i-prove-my-love-to-my-husband.html 

https://abukhadeejah.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Righteous-Wife-P1-WEB-7.3-Print-Complete.pdf 

💚

Note: Five Probable Reasons Why Some People Bully Others For Their Looks

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

🗒️ Five probable reasons why some individuals would disrespect you for your looks or describe you as "ugly": 

1] They were described as "ugly" by some people in the past, whether directly or indirectly, and offline or online in the form of rude comments (Note: it is advisable to avoid taking and uploading selfies in Islam). Their emotional wounds or insecurities compel them to make you feel bad by criticizing your appearance so they're not the only one who's emotionally suffering. 

2] Some of their relatives and/or friends, particularly if they display awful narcissistic traits, provoke them to feel unconfident or unsatisfied about the way Allah the Almighty designed them. Being expected to always appear "flawless" to fit in with the popular crowd and assuming that not putting sufficient effort to maintain a "perfect" figure with a "perfectly" gorgeous face shows lack of self-respect could explain why they believe it's acceptable to mistreat you for not looking as physically "impressive" as they are. 

3] They're actually so jealous of you for being able to do numerous remarkable things which they can't do or for accomplishing something, with Allah's Will, which they failed to achieve. The easiest way for them to drag you down to their level, as they feel "inferior" in your presence, is to spoil your self-esteem by making fun of your looks or treat you as though they have more dominance than you by resorting to bullying. 

4] They have a negative habit of being too vocal and tactless that it's challenging for them to keep all thoughts, opinions and feelings to themselves. They're the kind of individuals who rarely think twice about the impact of their outspokenness on others because they weren't educated previously about empathy, basic etiquettes and the virtues of remaining silent when necessary. 

5] They don't know yet about how Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala expects us, as Muslims, to behave towards His other servants and how one's actions with their actual intentions are a lot more important than pampering one's appearance 24/7. 

The more we strive to learn and apply authentic Islamic knowledge for Allah's sake, the less likely we'd arrogantly mock others for how Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala created them.

~•~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated that Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance nor wealth, but rather Allah looks at your hearts and actions."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2564

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "No one who has the weight of a seed of arrogance (kibr) in his heart will enter Paradise." A man said, “But a man likes to have nice clothes and nice shoes.” The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance (kibr) is to disregard (or to pridefully reject) the truth and to look down on the people."

Source: Sahih Muslim 91

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 

https://www.salafisounds.com/ittibah-and-the-story-of-julaibeeb-by-abu-hakeem/

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/07/note-ways-to-answer-someone-who-calls.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2022/08/tips-advice-on-how-to-avoid-feeling-so.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2022/03/tips-nine-likely-reasons-why-some.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2021/12/tips-signs-of-shallow-and-superficial.html 

Tips: What You Can Do When You're Being Bullied For The Way You Look

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 

📜 Question: Since I was born with a facial disfigurement, many of my classmates make fun of me for not looking as pretty as them. Should I leave this Madrasah (Islamic school) because I'm being bullied for the way I look?

📝 Answer: The reason why Allah the Almighty created people differently, with some individuals looking "naturally beautiful", others who appear "average" while Allah made several others disabled, is to test their faith/Imaan, see who among them would contentedly accept Allah's Qadr/Destiny with patience, and who would behave arrogantly for having good looks so their beauty is misused for the wrong purpose.

Whenever you feel like you're not good enough, remember those who have less than you. A person who is slightly cross-eyed must remember those who are blind. A Muslimah whose face isn't as cute as her other sisters' should be content that at least her heart which holds firm faith/Imaan isn't disfigured. A man who is a "dwarf" or who isn't as tall as many men are must be contented that at least he can still walk on two legs while others move about on a wheelchair and many are bedridden. People with a special skin condition that sets them apart from those who are "normal" should thank Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala that at least they have seeing, hearing and sensing abilities. A woman can still feel beautiful on the inside if she has a lot of self-esteem, strong faith/Imaan and contentment with Allah's Decree even if she has a serious case of acne.

There's always something good you can appreciate in yourself if you look deeply and observe. Allah the Most Merciful even stated in the Noble Qur'an that if you were to count His favors upon you, you would never be able to enumerate them because they're too numerous to count. One of the favors that Allah gave you, besides being a Muslim who's on the pathway to Jannah, is having the eagerness or enthusiasm to learn more about your Deen Islam. Allah gives wealth and good looks to whomever He Wills, while He exclusively grants Islam only to those whom He loves. The fact that you're studying in an Islamic school is a good sign that Allah loves you. Are you going to stop attending an Islamic class just because some insecure people make fun of the way you look? Are you there to study about Islam to become closer to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, or are you going to quit because some of His servants who despise themselves keep bullying you? Prior to even thinking of quitting, make an attempt, without intending to cause unnecessary trouble, to calmly confront those classmates who tease you for your appearance. If they claim "you're ugly", say in the dialect which they understand, "Alhamdulillah at least my heart and manners aren't ugly." or "I'm not a mirror. You can check your reflection someplace else and say that phrase again." or "I'm not competing for miss universe. Since when did you hire yourself to be my judge?" or "Are you seriously that miserable that you feel the need to make others feel bad about themselves? I pity you." or "What about you? You think you're pretty with that ugly personality and lack of good morals?"

You can also complain to those who are authorized to take disciplinary measures regarding students who are guilty of bullying. Bullies usually harass their victims when they're jealous of them or sense that their presence is a threat to their well-being. Maybe it's not your looks that bother them but they're envious of how you're smart, how your parents are loving and you come from a good family.

If you decide to leave the Madrasah due to a number of immature students, continue learning more about Islam online and by reading reliable Islamic books based on the Noble Qur'an and the Sunnah of the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam. Also read about one of his companions named Julaybib RadhiAllahu 'anhu who was one of the believers loved and valued by the noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

https://abdurrahman.org/2009/07/28/the-story-of-julaybib-radhi-allaahu-anhu/

Remind yourself that Allah the Most Merciful doesn't judge you by how you look on the outside but what your heart carries of faith/Imaan and Ikhlaas/sincerity on the inside. Just because you're not as good-looking as those famous celebrities many of whom undergo cosmetic surgery to look "flawless" doesn't mean you're not worthy of being treated well as a human being. The more content you are with Allah as your Rabb (Lord), Islam as your religion and Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam as Allah's final Messenger, and the more confidence you have in being a striving Muslim, the more you won't care about how Allah's servants view you. 

Jannah Paradise is the place where we can attain complete happiness and perfection. This world is a platform of temporary examinations which we can pass by trying our best to stay connected to Allah until He grants us Jannah's entrance. In Paradise all your past worries, concerns and worldly problems can be forgotten. So whenever you go through any difficulty in life and encounter troublesome individuals, remember every situation is temporal. It may not always be easy to have patience at times, but you need to push yourself to have Sabr for Allah's sake if you wish to survive. When some people mistreat you and misbehave, be glad Alhamdulillah that you're not them - you're not the one who's bullying and earning Muslims' sins. Occasionally encountering disrespectful individuals who treat you badly doesn't imply you're a bad person, but their misbehavior is a chance for you to be well-trained at exercising patience, to have inner strength by practicing to be more forgiving, and to understand that their rudeness indicates how unfortunate they are for having a lousy upbringing or for their inability to apply what they were taught about basic etiquettes. Confident people don't bring others down, but uplift and provide encouragement. Only those who are unhappy with themselves are inclined to bullying.

Strive to be the best Muslim you can be for Allah's sake. Instead of using up your energy in wondering why some people criticize you for your appearance, focus on your mission to be with Allah in Jannah Heaven by doing whatever good deeds you can with sincere intention.

Don't let critics become a distraction, but a motivation for you to rely on Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala more, and to keep striving with rewarding patience.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2564

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

https://www.salafisounds.com/ittibah-and-the-story-of-julaibeeb-by-abu-hakeem/

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2020/07/note-ways-to-answer-someone-who-calls.html 

https://mjustsharingislam.blogspot.com/2022/08/tips-advice-on-how-to-avoid-feeling-so.html