Assalamu Alaikum - I'm lost and need guidance with my faith
Assalamu alaikum. I’ve been struggling with depression for about three years and feel really low about myself. I constantly think I’m ugly and I hate myself a lot. Nothing I try seems to go right. Lately I’ve been conflicted - I started working out and trying to change my appearance because I hoped to get noticed by a girl at my school. I became obsessed with her, but she dislikes me a lot. That rejection has hurt me deeply. I’m also unsure about my belief in Allah. I don’t even know the basics - I feel clueless about how to start connecting with Him. I don’t pray, I rarely make du’ā, and I don’t practice much of my religion. I have so much pain from unrequited love and false hope. I feel hated by many people and I don’t have a close friend to lean on. I want to find Allah and be convinced He’s real and will help me, but something inside is stopping me and I don’t know what it is. I care about people too much and want to be cared for in return. I want a happy life that’s worth loving. I’m trying to improve my appearance so people will notice me, but I haven’t had that glow-up yet. I’m scared I’m not being a good Muslim and I don’t know what to do or what to believe. Please, any advice on how to start learning about Islam, how to build a relationship with Allah, and how to cope with these feelings would mean a lot. JazakAllahu khair.