Overcome the Naysayers and Stay Motivated in Your Good Work
I felt compelled to write this post because it’s disheartening when I hear about negative feedback and nasty comments directed toward others who are making an effort to help the community. This also includes those Muslims who dedicate their time to spreading beneficial knowledge and dawah by writing informative articles for the ummah, yet still get criticized by the naysayers.
I have seen numerous people stop their good efforts because of the relentless criticism they received from fellow Muslims, no less! Some people are able to overcome the negativity by staying focused, having a thick skin, and focusing on the positive feedback. But sadly, many are affected, and the naysayers see this as a victory, making their small lives feel worthwhile.
Most of these naysayers do little to help the community. Instead, they spend their precious time bashing those who are trying to spread good in society. I often wonder why these people don’t use their energy to comment on and rectify negative and distorted views about Muslims or Islam. At least then they’d be making a positive difference.
Over the years, I hadn’t received much negative feedback, mainly because I avoided delving too deeply into controversial issues and my writing was very pro-women. My first paperback book was all about self-care and facing challenges as a mother. However, since I joined Twitter in 2022 and began promoting the importance of being a good wife and mother, I’ve been bombarded with nasty comments and messages from ill-mannered individuals. I guess it was inevitable.
Another time I wrote an article on my website, encouraging parents to reduce screen time for their kids and explore fun alternatives. My intention was to help children’s brain development, but one reader decided to judge my effort harshly. Here’s what she commented:
"We Muslims have been deceived by the devil in regards to our Deen. You acknowledging that the problems stem from deep sources, yet choosing to ignore it is like a person putting band-aide over a cancerous tumor or a person who is occupied with sweeping the doorsteps and painting the outer walls while the house is burning down with raging flames. May Allah give you vision and give you taufeeq to do work that will yield fruit for the sake of Allah, not for the sake of maintaining our make-belief world. We need to set intention for the sake of Allah and work towards establishing Islam. May Allah SWT give you, your children and all of us ikhlaas ameen." - The Naysayer
A classic example of a naysayer is someone who says your efforts aren’t good enough and that you need to do more. They hide behind a screen and spout cruel words because they have issues and take everything as a personal attack. They hate on those who are making a difference but will do nothing themselves to change a bad situation. At times, they’ll use religious rhetoric or academic lingo to guilt-trip or soften the blow of their criticism. They are quick to jump to conclusions about others but fail to look inward and fix themselves first.
Haters thrive on negativity, using their time to criticize, dismiss, or undermine the efforts of others, especially in online spaces. They love to point out everyone’s flaws and cast doubt in impressionable minds, and instead of encouraging positive change, they focus on tearing others down. These individuals are often motivated by envy, personal dissatisfaction, and a desire to stir up conflict. Some hide behind anonymous profiles or fake accounts, making it easier for them to spew criticism without accountability. Their comments range from judgmental and dismissive to downright hostile, creating a toxic environment that can discourage others from continuing their good work. Online naysayers and haters all share one common goal: to make you doubt yourself and stop your work. But remember, their negativity says more about them than it does about you.
Then There are the Ones that Go Too Far
Another time, I faced something far worse, which caused a fiasco on my social media account. A sister I knew began to stalk me on Instagram and felt the need to slander me to thousands of followers simply because I blocked her (for valid reasons). She created multiple accounts to spread lies, hurl insults, and lecture me about being a better Muslim simply for revenge. She posted her nasty comments on as many of my posts as she could manage. I admit, it affected me for months, and I eventually had to disable comments on my Instagram account indefinitely.
I will never understand the mindset of someone—a mother and a Muslim, no less—who finds satisfaction in causing pain to their fellow sister in Islam, especially when that person has done them no harm. To these naysayers, I say, “I feel sorry for you; you must be so sad inside. Please learn compassion and empathy like our beloved Prophet (PBUH), who was never harsh to others—not even to those who stoned and spat on him. Learn to speak to another human being with mercy, kindness, and the intention to guide, not judge. Look inward and consider your actions as harshly as you judge others. And if you think something isn’t being done right, make an effort to fix it yourself.” - Sincerely, A Non-Naysayer
Naysayers think they know a person’s intentions, but only Allah SWT can see what’s in our hearts. Constructive criticism is appreciated and helpful, but baseless complaints and slander without solutions are useless and just plain mean.
When I face comments like these or encounter toxic behavior, I leave these individuals to Al Adl (The Utterly Just). I pray for guidance and reflect inwardly to see if there’s any room for me to improve. I refuse to let ill-founded negativity cause me to doubt my efforts or stop my work. That’s exactly what the naysayers want—to make themselves feel mighty by stepping on others.
What I’ve gone through is mild compared to the attacks I’ve seen other brothers and sisters endure. Unfortunately, naysayers are everywhere, and they specifically thrive on social media. They’re often the loudest voices in the comments section, have too much time because they have no life, and feel the need to "speak their minds” like they’re big shots.
Thus, if you’ve ever encountered a naysayer, don’t let their negativity affect you, because when your efforts are sincere, Allah SWT will reward you. Keep your focus on the siratul mustaqueem (straight path), and continue treating others with kindness—even the toxic ones. Our beloved Prophet SAW told us,
"None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself." (Bukhari & Muslim)
It doesn’t matter how many fans, followers, likes, or comments we have if our intentions aren’t sincere. None of it compares to the reward of doing work purely for the sake of our Lord and reaping the blessings.
I dedicate this post to all my brothers and sisters who spread ilm and make dawah to help the ummah grow and improve. Those who take time away from their families, careers, and hobbies to research, write, speak, and share beneficial knowledge for others. May Allah reward you immensely. Keep your chin up!
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
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