Title: Facing Social Problems & Sleepless Nights for Commitment with Islam Question: I have had this problem for a long time. People think I'm snobbish. Let me explain. I try my best to eat halaal . That means I don't eat a lot of things including those that some of my fellow Muslims eat while ignoring the ingredients. Ignoring it obviously doesn't make it halaal . Now I have heard a lot of people tell me that it is snobbish because according to them I think what they eat is not good enough for me. For instance, our don held a birthday party and invited everyone. I went but I didn't eat anything because of the element of doubt, or shak involved in the ingredients. It's very awkward to be put in a position where you're the only person who isn't eating, while everyone else is. It sends a bad message. But that's just one example. I am an undergraduate student. Almost everyone I know believes in the western concept of 'free sex' and considers nudity normal. I don't. I know if I start doing so then I will drift away from my Creator. That's not an option. So I don't approve of it or look at it. But unfortunately people make comments about my sexuality, and call me names. I have lived with that for a long time now but it is getting out of hands. Sometimes I get so angry that I can't control myself. Please tell me how I can solve this problem. Right now nothing is working for me. I have these retarded social issues to deal with. On top of that, my mind is not at the level it used to be at and I am having a lot of difficulty keeping up with my studies. This never happened to me in the past. I have seen doctors about this issue but they say I am going to be fine. They just tell me to get my sleep and exercise. Well, here is another huge problem for me. I can't sleep at all. I have been sleeping during my classes. It would make sense if I was worried about some issue, but this has been happening before my studies even started. I am taking sleeping pills unfortunately as a last resort. I have been sleep deprived in all of my exams so far. It is not a good feeling. I am doing so poorly that I don't know just how the heck I'm passing. This is very bad. In fact, if it weren't for Allah's help I would surely fail. Intelligence is a gift from Allah, and Allah knows best why I have hit this mental low-point at this point of my life where I have so much at stake. Even praying has become extremely difficult. I normally used to pray and try to the best of my abilities to understand what the words mean as I have memorized the meaning of a few surahs , including Surah Fatiha . I have been doing this for the past two years. However, now all of a sudden I can't concentrate while I'm praying. My mind just can't keep up. It doesn't make any sense to me. I feel completely drained as of right now and would appreciate any helpful comments from you. Allah Hafiz Omir Adhia Canada Answer: My dear brother, Islam, in fact, means to submit - with a satisfied heart and mind - to the decisions and the directives of the Almighty, irrespective of whether our social circle approves of it or looks at it with disgust and disdain. Even though it is possible that our present understanding and application of a particular directive of God may not be correct, yet as long as we are satisfied with a particular interpretation - while keeping an open mind and heart for any other interpretation - we should try our best to live our lives in compliance to that understanding, irrespective of the opposition that we may have to encounter along the way. Keeping the foregoing in mind, you should continue to refrain, to the best of your abilities, from what you consider to be haraam , according to your understanding of the directives of God and let others revile and condemn you. I would, nevertheless, advise you to continue trying to inform your friends about the reasons for your acting in the manner that they despise. After all, it is possible that when they fully appreciate your stance, they may themselves be convinced about it. On the other hand, it is also possible that after fully understanding your stance, they may be able to help you correct any mistake in your opinion. What ever may be the outcome, we must continually remind ourselves of the fact that the path to the eternal bliss of paradise is full of hardships and difficulties and only those who have a firm faith and trust in God's mercy and forgiveness can steadfastly tread it. My dear brother, the world has always reviled and condemned those who have resolved to tread the path of the Almighty. As a result, the test of a person who has found and understood the path of piety is primarily one of steadfastness and perseverance on that path. Recognizing this fact, the Qur'an has, at one point, directly related the eternal rewards of the hereafter with man's steadfastness and perseverance on the path of 'Truth', even under pressing circumstances. The Qur'an says: God shall save these people from the hardships of that Day and shall grant them serenity and happiness and shall reward them - for their steadfastness and perseverance - with Gardens [of bliss] and [garments of] Silk. ( Al-Insaan 76: 11 - 12) Stressing the importance of steadfastness and perseverance on what we understand to be the 'Truth' even under dire circumstances, the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: In the beginning, Islam was like a stranger [with very few followers], soon it shall again become like a stranger [with not many people adhering to it]. Blessed are those who [steadfastly adhere to the directives of Islam and, thereby,] render themselves strangers [in their society]. ( Muslim , narrative no. 145) Stressing the same point, Jesus (pbuh) is reported to have strengthened the steadfastness of the believers with the following words: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5: 6, 10 - 12) I hope that the foregoing points shall grant you some peace of mind. Besides continually reminding yourself of the mentioned points, I will highly recommend that you try to find for yourself a social company of people who share your concerns, who are willing to take up an open minded study of Islam and who have the commitment of living their lives, to the best of their abilities, according to their understanding of Islam. For your sleeplessness and your deteriorating performance in studies, I would recommend that you consult personnel who are qualified to give you expert advice on the issue. I would nevertheless, reproduce one of the supplications reported to have taught by the Prophet (pbuh) for insomnia. I am sure that the recitation of this supplication with your mind concentrating on its meaning shall, insha'Allah , help. The referred supplication is given below: اللهم غارت النجوم وهدأت العيون وأنت حي قيوم لا تأخذك سنة ولا نوم يا حي يا قيوم اهد ليلى وأنم عيني My Lord, all stars have died away, all eyes have found peace [in sleep], while You are Alive and You sustain [all that exists], You are neither overcome by sleep nor doze. O You, Who are Alive and Who sustains [all that exists], Grant peace to my night and grant sleep to my eyes. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad January 5, 2003