salams sis
Can they really use that against me? Even though its their own fault they didnt listen to me and discouraged me?
the verse clearly says "friends (on that day) will be enemies, except the pious ones"... also the end of surat ahzab.. when the ppl try to blame the higher ranked ones for their sisn n ask allah to double their punishment.
also, sis the prophets where discouraged even more! and they where
physically attacked and even their
life was at risk. Our responsibility is to deliver the message even if our life is on the line. Discouragement, rebuke, mocking is all part of path of prophecy. and it's no where near than what the prophets faced :) and what some people face today.
gettin picked on n discouraged is soooo normal, but you know what, i swear when you do it for sake of Allah, WALLAHI no matter how much pppl pick on u, they ALWAYS see you as being in a more dominant position over them even tho they dont show it.
lol even one of my teachers a few years ago... he reeeealllllllly disagreed with my views, but he goes "the fact that you're the only one vs. the erst of the class puts u in such a powerful position"
subhanallah also i know of bros who use 2b real bad n stuff.. n they say that when individuals use 2 tell em off n advise em, even tho they use 2pretend 2b careless n just laugh at the prsn, deep down they felt real sour.
and even Allah tells us in the quran, that many of these ppl who pretend to be against u, deep down they know their wrong... it's only a matter of time inshalah they'll heed your advise.
and remember, it's pleasing Allah wat we're after first n foremost :)
Am i sinning by not reminding them?
Yeh, the fact taht you know something they don't (or you know soemthing they aren't practising) implies that its your responsibility to adivse them and remind them.
Because Allah doesn't only punish the people who do the bad deeds, he also dishes out a punishment for people who kept quiet.... notice the people of the sabbath, allah didn't only punish the people who ate teh fish.. he also punished the ones who kept quiet. and he saved thsoe who enjoined good and forbid evil (even tho their friends n relatives mocked them).
also.. people of Salih, allah didnt only punish th epeople who killed the camel, he punished the etnire city for keeping quiet ont he crime, except the people who where constantly reminding people and enjoinin good n forbidding evil.
so many other examples... but in short, what good is knowledge if it's not served to people ? and truth isn't always suppose 2be sweet :)
Also whats the smartest way to go about these things? i dont think i am good at reminding people because i worry that they will get offended.
personally... it varies with situation, sometimes if people are doing somethign wrong and having fun about it, embaressing the entire group n telling them 'subhanallah don't u guys fear Allah' 'wat do u think u guys doin' 'we'res the maturity' etc can be very effective. They tend to hav a shock n not respond.. but you got to really dig it in to them.... especially if they're ur friends its even more effective.... that also works when ur dealin with ppl who can b real stubborn.
but keep in mind, once the message is sent across... dont break ties with them, leave them after you've advised them (that way they will feel pretty bad). but once you meet them return as usual with them (smile n say salams etc..), it adds to their guilt inshalah.....
on the other hand.. sometimes its useful to advise individuals in private... remind them of the hereafter and the responsibilites they have towards Islam.
Don't worry about offending people.... just be sincere with ur advise/admonition, and at same time don't just break up with them... you'll find that they will take u more seriously compared to sayin 'maybe makeup isnt a good idea' n then just changin topic...
But always keep in midn to keep well mannered, never get offended when people tell u off or laugh at you... eventually you'll find it comical to see that ppl pull green faces when u advise them and u c urself laughin off their baseless attacks whent heyt ake a go at u. lol trust me its funny... its ur chance to shine as well.
also.. make dua for ur friends behind their backs, it's so effective.. the more sincere u are about it, the mroe Allah will help you inshalah...
sorry dis was xtra xtra long lol..... would hav written more.. but dis might be enuff lol.