Some Feedback regards to your answers/reply
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Salaam, thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. Forgive me because it appeared that I had assumed that your guidance and council was more like that of emotional and moral support instead of the formal, brief and generalised method of structured replies. The website gave me impression that it was able to give genuine advice based on a persons circumstances and that all types of Muslims were able to come here to seek advice and, in my case some form of help. Though I appreciate your answer I felt slightly let down and a little patronised in your approach in attempting to awaken my senses to the global suffering, poverty and injustice that is going on in the world today. I am highly aware of every day news, I am not oblivious to the suffering of others. However, I also do not need to be made felt like a 'Whiney' ungrateful individual just because you feel that my issues are not of any value until my body is blown up and scattered on the road...like you tried to compare to.. I understand that so many others are suffering and worse of, though please don't disregard a persons problems when they reach out. A problem no matter how big or small is still a problem. The courage and preparation it took for me to finally voice my concerns to you made me feel like an insignificant child from your answer. Like I said, it was most likely my own fault for assuming your Q&A to be a bit more constructive and supportive, not dismissive and condescending.. I however did take on board what you said in terms of life being of trials and appreciate your duas in God's assistance towards my aid. I just feel that in future, for others..you may want to word your answers in a more positive manner and with more of a supporting genuineness then from what I received. I feel other users will feel a lot more positive and hopeful in their prayers and resilience with a reply like that, as opposed to feeling belittled and guilty for not having problems of people in third world countries. I was at my weakest and most separate when I wrote to you. Perhaps it was the length of my ramblings that put you off. I have learnt against that now, my problems are my own and as you so eloquently put, good times don't last anyway, so might as well keep on living like this until my life ends. Such a good morale booster. I will hopefully strengthen my faith in my own way eventually, but as I said before, thank you for the attempt in trying to help me. I just found your approach in doing so very harsh and brief. Nevertheless, kind regards and I wish you a prosperous Ramadan. Salam
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Sister, your concerns and reservation about our answer is very valid indeed, and maybe our choice of words were scintillatingly harsh for you to digest. Please do accept our heartfelt apologies, but we would like you to understand that our intention was to inspire you out of your defeatist and depressive mood and mode.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
Members of Islamhelpline
Wister