I suffer from problems on my way to school

The Question:

As-salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

I am a young girl and I suffer from several problems:

First, I have a weak faith, and whenever I tried to increase my faith, I could not: I neglect my Salah and I listen to singing a lot.

Second, my character is not powerful and I have committed many mistakes in the past, and I cannot inform my family despite my need that they know these mistakes to stand by my side and help me.

Third, my reputation at some people is bad and I want to improve it. There are some people who want to harm me: They want to hit and threaten me during my way to school.

Tell me how to behave?

The Answer:

Wa `Alaykumus-Salam war-Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh (peace be upon you).

My valued daughter, there is nothing greater and more useful than resorting to the Creator (Glory be to Him) because He is All-knowing and All-Abler on everything. He accepts repentance from His Servants no matter how great these sins are, for He is the Most Merciful, the All-Forgiving.

You have to comply to the commands of Allah (Glory be to Him) in abandoning forbidden matters such as: Listening to singing and replacing it with listening to lawful things such as listening to the Qur'an or listening to useful poems which has no music, likewise frequent mentioning of Allah (Glory be to Him): "Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest." [Surat Ar-Ra`d: 28].

Whenever a servant draws near to his Lord by following His Commands and avoiding His Prohibited matters, and doing voluntary matters such as Salah, fasting, and giving in charity, he shall be more beloved to Allah. It was reported in the Hadith: "And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him."

Dear valued daughter, it is not a condition to inform your family of your past sins, but it is important to tell them with your problems with your friends so as to stand by your side, for they are the best helper to you after Allah (Glory be to Him).

I ask Allah to remove your affliction, ease your concerns, and expand your chest, for He is the Guardian and the All-Able.