We're All Trying.

Assalamualikum everyone. To those who are participating, Ramadan Mubarak! I hope you reap the rewards of this beautiful and blessed month. God bless you all. Keep me and my family in your prayers In Sha Allah (God Willing). Today's post will have a sort of 'Ramadan' theme, as I shall discuss the problem of people belittling others as they try to better themselves. Before I move on to the post, click the link to watch my first official 'TasneemBlogs' YouTube video :) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfKRMDokBkY

Let's begin.


The month of Ramadan is not only when Muslims fast for 30 days (sometimes 29) from sunrise to sunset, but is also the most perfect and blessed month of the year; arguably, the most awaited 'event' for a Muslim. Shaytaan (the devil) is locked away, so all actions coming from a person is purely their doing. There is no excuse for their negative behaviour. The month enables one to starve their stomach but feed their soul with inner peace, practise, prayer and contentment. What makes it even more beautiful is when Non-Muslims decide to fast in order to 'support' their friends or family, consequently leading them into feeling the amazing feeling that we Muslims feel: tranquillity. I swear, this month is meant for utter and complete peace, but why is it when some people try to better themselves, others are quick to judge? This doesn't just apply to people in the month of Ramadan or to Muslims only, but I will explain my views on those sections too.

Muslimahs. My brothers and sisters, we need to realise and understand that Allah did not create us perfect, and does not expect perfection. However, He does expect us to try our best. When you see a brother in Ramadan wearing his Thobe (Islamic dressing) as opposed to his usual jeans and hoody, why do you feel the need to point that out to other people around you, let alone saying this to yourself? Say Ma Sha Allah (all praise be to God) and keep everyone in your prayers that they continue their good habits even after Ramadan finishes. When you see a sister wearing a Hijab (headscarf) as opposed to her summer dresses, why do you feel the need to exaggerate that she doesn't wear it outside of Ramadan?
"She's a part time Hijabi"
"Look, her hair at the front is showing"
"You can see a bit of her skinny jeans showing underneath"
"He's a roadman outside of Ramadan"
"I bet his mum told him to wear that"
"Do they even pray though?"

PLEASE STOP! 

    

Who are we to be constantly focusing our energy on judging someone who is essentially trying to better themselves. Whether it is covering themselves, praying and reading the Quran (Islamic holy book) more or even visiting the Mosque regularly, they are receiving the rewards whilst you are depriving yourself from it. The beauty of this month is that it has become a turning point for so many Muslims across the world. Don't ruin and discourage those who are trying. This could be their turning point. This isn't a competition my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. Use this month efficiently and really try to better yourselves. Back-biting is considered to be a major sin, so watch your mouth and don't say anything unless it's positive. This month is about what you do, how you treat people, what you say, what actions you commit and what you do to strive to become a better Muslim. Do not let a temporary moment of you judging another decrease the good you've committed so far. At the end of the day, we are all striving to become better. We are all trying.

Even when Ramadan ends and Shaytaan (the devil) is free again, bite your tongue and refrain from being judgemental. This is a reminder for me as well as for you: back-biting to your friends is STILL back-biting. This does not change what you are doing no matter who you are with. For you to constantly point out the flaws in others who are trying to become better human beings, is disgusting. What makes you so superior to them? Is it because you pray 5 times a day but they only do it 'sometimes'. Is it because your Hijab covers your head completely but that sister's baby hairs are sticking out? Is it because you are so prestigious, you can wear whatever you want but they can't because they are not 'always' following the modest dress code? My brothers and sisters, please stop this nonsense. Don't judge others because they sin differently to you. If you see someone sin, become a "private educator", not a "public tribunal". Also, don't use that as an excuse to view them as inferior to you. Stay humble and do not let your so called perfect self float in the sky with arrogance. 

We in general, have the tendency to judge everything and everyone. What separates us is what and how people act upon it. Some will think it, some will think it and say it, some will think it and say it to everyone they know, and the rest think it and choose to ignore their opinion and move on with their lives. Wouldn't the world be a much better place if we all strived to think like that? We are all facing a battle, all trying to overcome personal problems and we are all different. 

We are all trying. That is all. 

  

As always, any questions, queries or problems you have that you want my advice on, my e-mail is always open!

tasahmedadvice@gmail.com

Till next time,
SALUTATIONS x 

Don't Be Cruel To Be Kind

Assalamualaikum everyone. To all my student readers, I hope you achieve the grades you have worked so hard for in your exams. May God grant you all your wishes and dreams In Sha Allah (God Willing). Before I start, I am aware that I haven't posted in a while. This was due to my examinations that have finally ended, so In Sha Allah I do well. I have made some changes to the blog itself, tweaking it to my personal style with an official 'Finding Neem' logo. I hope you like it :)

Art credit to Tanisha Barry (has drawn all of my characters on my blog)

I have a couple of announcements to make too, so stick around till the end of the blog. Today I shall discuss the 'cruel' nature in people that claim to be 'kind'. Let's go. 


Religiously speaking, to be kind to others is heavily encouraged. The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) stated "Be kind, for whenever kindness becomes part of something, it beautifies it. Whenever it is taken from something, it leaves it tarnished". Kindness is innate within all of us, however, we easily seem to forget this 'trait' in our day to day antics. Some of us have the ability to withhold any sense of negativity, whilst others seem to be more interested in letting people know what they truly think of them. This is not being outspoken, 'real', or truthful. This is simply cruel. You are being cruel.

Obviously I am talking about society in general. Negativity seem's to be of a regularity. They seem to think that stating their personal opinions of others to that particular person or to a group of friends, somehow makes them a superior person. It doesn't, so please remove yourself off the high pedestal that you have solely placed yourself on. This isn't a competition of superiority, nor is it a way of expressing your thoughts and feelings. Your negativity is not wanted. If you claim that you are giving an 'honest opinion', please refrain from speaking aloud. You cannot continue to live using the excuse of "that's how I am" to excuse your rude and inconsiderate behavior. That's not how it works.

Growing up, I have come to realise the extent people go in order to make someone feel bad about themselves. From posting comments on social media to backbiting to mutual friends, there is simply no limit for these people. They seem to do as they please with a carefree attitude, thinking that it will somehow get them far in life. Guess what? It doesn't. Please don't think that your hurtful comments about an individual will not eventually 'get to that person'. Trust me, I bet that they already know what you have said about them; they are simply being the bigger person and not addressing it to you in order to avoid conflict. Seriously, grow up. Ultimately, the rude and ignorant individual want to essentially impress their 'circle', their associates and the rest of the world. They appear to think that they are better than you, when in reality, they are only trying to convince themselves of this. These people are known as the stuck up kind, let me move onto another breed of rudeness. 

Now moving onto the individuals who seem to think that they are the Lord's gift to the world, assuming that their 'critical comments' will 'help' others or are a source of good nature. Snap out of that please. These type of people seem to believe that their opinion is genuinely correct and that everyone else should believe it too. This should not be the case, as 'rudeness' should not be followed or practiced. In essence, this issue is not about people being able to "handle the truth" because at the end of the day, your opinion is "your truth". Accept it, build a bridge and get over it. No one should have to sit and listen to you continuously talk bad about someone. I honestly don't understand why people do not stick up for others. There is a distinctive difference on wanting to and being unable to. I get that some individuals do not have the confidence to speak their minds and support the victims of cruel words, but there has to be a point in which you are able to. If you, yes you, are an individual that is surrounded by people or a person who talks ill of others, what does that make you? Do you agree with what they are saying? You are being cruel. Do you disagree with what they are saying? Speak up. If you can't, leave that person. Chances are, they've spoken ill of you too. The world needs more kind people. We all can be that person. Let's try to be that person. We rise by lifting others. 




That is all I have to speak on about rudeness at this moments in time, however, I will elaborate more in the near future. Now time for the announcement!

Some of you may or may not know that I previously posted YouTube videos on my blog as a source of 'entertainment' as my blogs are arguably more on the serious side of things. I have however, decided to take those videos off and placed them as 'unlisted' on my settings. This means that you cannot search these videos on YouTube, but you can however still view them if you have the link. I will still leave the video links on my blog (you need to find the particular blog post in order to see them). The reason I have done this is because I really want to officially start a YouTube channel, with good content and a good editing style. My other videos were only for the purpose of the blog, so I was not fussed about the editing etc. If you want to support my official channel 'TasneemBlogs', then you can by clicking 'subscribe'. I want to try this whole YouTube thing out. Let's see where it takes me.. 

http://www.youtube.com/TasneemBlogs

In Sha Allah you have enjoyed this blog post, the new theme/layout and are just as excited for this whole YouTube thing. I will be posting a introduction video soon. As always, any questions, queries or problems you have that you want my advice on, my e-mail is always open!

tasahmedadvice@gmail.com

Till next time,
SALUTATIONS x