Our true, Authentic selves 🤔🔍

 

While we were recording the latest podcast episode of #theBarakahEffect podcast, I noticed the stark contrast of the camera view versus reality of what's happening in the room 😂..

I took a step back at my "studio" and realized: Our social media pages, YouTube videos are only a snapshot of what we CHOOSE to  reveal to others - not necessarily who we really are.
We can even extend that conduct at the workplace, behavior at the masjids, or mannerisms in the classroom. These are merely snippets of our persona - the tip of the tip of the iceberg - not necessarily our true, authentic selves.

This got me thinking:

1. Dangers of hypocrisy - Who are our TRUE selves, under the surface?
I remember watching this YouTube video about "the fake instagram life", demonstrating the dangers of false social media depictions of the rosy "highlight reels" of our lives, in contrast to the real, dirty secrets happening behind the scenes.

As Muslims, what we should strive to be is to be BETTER in secret than we are in public. Which is why the Prophet ﷺ emphasized that "the best of you is best towards his family": those who are closest to you and spend time with you, who see you in your lowest moments.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged us to keep our good deeds a secret. This is why the righteous predecessors such as the companions used to hide their righteous deeds even from their own wives! Sometimes their wives wouldn't even know they snuck out of their beds to pray qiyamullayl (night prayer) in the middle of the night!

The mindset was: As long as Allah loves and recognizes my deeds, nothing else matters.

2. Everybody has flaws
I am reminded, time and time again, that every righteous individual - scholars, shuyookh, ustadz, and even prophets of Allah - they are all human beings. We shouldn't put them on a pedestal expecting perfection; rather, we need to empathize that just like us, they too have their low points and moments of vulnerability. They too are susceptible to committing mistakes.

But the righteous quality they possessed was that they took the difficult path to own up to those mistakes, rectify them, and keep moving forward. They didn't allow those flaws to force them into shame of self-blame that paralyzed them from taking action.

And more importantly, if we see our brother or sister slip, then if we had the true mindset of naseehah, we should take have the earnest desire to HELP THEM get back on track: not join in the mob of netizens to demonize them further and assist the agenda of shaitan!
(and if you can't help them, at least don't fuel the flames and just keep quiet!)

3. Be mindful of your choices
Because your social media persona is merely a product of what you choose to project, you have to consciously ask yourself: what role are you playing in this space?
What legacy - or trail - are you leaving behind?

4. Efforts versus Results. Often times, the product - what people "see" - is a product of a lot of hardwork that goes unnoticed behind the scenes.

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character" (T. Alan Armstrong)

Always remember that when it comes to sincere effort for the sake of Allah, He Rewards every second of your efforts: Even if it doesn't yield tangible results!
"Verily those who have iman and work righteousness, we will never allow their deeds, done in the best way, to every be wasted!" (Al-Kahf 18:30)

Alright, time to clean up.. 🤣