4 Ways For Combating Loneliness as a New Muslim

The day you took the shahadah, or testimony of faith, at the mosque was hands down the greatest moment of your life. Everyone shouted “Allahu Akbar” at the glorious news of a new Muslim joining the Ummah and stood in line just to give you a hug while wishing the heartiest of congratulations.

For that instant, you were surrounded by your brethren in faith and cloaked in the warmth of your community.

However, as is true for most new Muslims, the people that were surrounding you at the beginning of your journey to Islam have most likely faded back into their own lives. And you’re left on your own to try and figure out what comes next while grappling with loneliness.

The good news is that you can combat loneliness on your own and enrich your life without waiting for anyone else to do it for you!

Rediscover Yourself

Your life most likely did a complete 360-degree tilt upon embracing the Islamic faith. Old friendships may have ended while new ones never had a chance to take root.

This moment in your life is ideal for rediscovering yourself. Get in touch with what makes you tick, where you see your life going and what things interest you.

Instead of wasting time thinking about what ‘could’ or ‘should’ have been, make your life happen! Concentrate on the gifts and talents that Allah Almighty has blessed you with while strengthening your shortcomings. That could mean going back to school to learn a new skill or switching up your career to something more meaningful.

Make Positive Use of Your Time

When the feelings of loneliness seep in, it’s essential that you keep things in perspective and count all the other things that are going well in your life, such as your health or career. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death. (At-Tirmidhi)

Even though you are lonely, you still have to make the most of your free time. Prayer and worship are the absolute best occupiers of your time and will draw you closer to Allah Almighty.

Community service and volunteerism are the next best use of your free time as you will get back tenfold of what you give to help another person. Best of all, as you give of your time, you’ll meet a lot of people who are just as lonely as you are and in need of your company.

You’re Never Really Alone

You might feel alone but, truth be told, you’re never alone. As Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: 

And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein. (Quran 50:16)

Your Lord and Cherisher is near you all the time and during your most loneliest moments. Seek comfort in your Creator, the One who loves you more than anyone ever could. Open your heart to Allah and ask for your life to be enriched with good friends and even a spouse of a like-minded nature. Never forget that Allah knows what it is that you need the most, ask of Him and pray to receive it!

Just Do YOU!

Instead of allowing the loneliness to take over, embrace it! There are countless people in the world who would love to be alone to focus on their own regrowth and development. You have that opportunity now! So make the most of it rather than wallow in self-pity.

Seize the moment and do something unexpected like taking a scuba diving class or even planning a trip to perform Umrah. Best of all, imagine all the possibilities of meeting new people from all walks of life and sharing your faith with them.

It’s the responsibility of all Muslims to lower a wing of kindness and great care to new Muslims entering the Islamic faith.

Unfortunately, not all Muslims have the same level of benevolence and goodwill to newcomers. It is a sad reality that must be rectified for the sake of all Muslims across the globe.

We’re only as strong as our weakest member; therefore we must provide a safe haven for new Muslims to grow their Deen.

(From Discovering Islam’s archive.)

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