Madeeha Farooq
Before you laugh at someone, remember—you don’t know what they cried about last night.
Before you point out their flaws, remember—they may already be fighting a war within themselves.
Before you make someone feel worthless, remember—they are a creation of Allah, and perhaps they are more beloved to Him than you will ever know.
Allah says: “Let not a people ridicule another people; perhaps they may be better than them.”
You may call it a joke, but they may carry your words for years.
You may forget what you said tomorrow, but they may remember it every time they look at themselves in the mirror.
You may laugh at someone’s appearance, their clothes, their body, their mistakes, or the things they cannot afford— without knowing how many times they have cried silently because of them.
And perhaps the saddest part is this: Someone may smile in front of you while secretly wondering, “Why am I never good enough?”
Allah says: “And do not insult one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames.”
So be careful with your tongue.
A wound on the body can heal, but a wound created by words can remain hidden for years.
The Prophet (PBUH) warned us against arrogance: “No one who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.”
You are not better because you are prettier.
You are not better because you are richer.
You are not better because you are more educated.
You are not better because people admire you.
Everything you have is a blessing from Allah.
And everything Allah gives can be taken away.
Today, people sit behind screens and make fun of strangers, judge appearances, compare lives, spread gossip, and turn someone’s pain into entertainment.
But remember—there is a real heart behind every screen.
A person you made fun of today may go home and cry alone.
A person you embarrassed in front of others may never forget that moment.
And the person you thought was weak may be the one whose patience Allah loves most.
Allah says: “And speak to people good words.”
So if you cannot make someone’s life better, at least don’t make it harder.
If you cannot heal their heart, at least don’t become the reason it breaks.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.”
One day, the beauty you are proud of will fade.
The money you have will remain behind.
The attention you receive will disappear.
But the way you treated people will remain part of your deeds.
So choose kindness.
Choose humility.
Choose mercy.
Choose words that heal.
Because true strength is not making someone cry.
True strength is having the power to hurt someone and choosing, for the sake of Allah, not to.
And if you have ever made someone feel small, go back and make it right.
Apologize while you still can.
Because some people leave this world before we get the chance to tell them, “I’m sorry.”
Never be the reason someone questions their worth.
Be the reason they remember that there is still kindness in this world.
Raise people up.
Protect their dignity.
Speak gently.
And remember: Allah hears the words you whisper, sees the tears you cause, and knows the pain hidden behind every smile.
(The author can be reached at [email protected])
