Feeling alone in my faith journey within my family
Assalamu Alaikum dear brothers and sisters, I'm writing this with a mixture of sadness and hope. I'm a young Muslim woman going through a tough time of spiritual loneliness and isolation, and I really need some advice or just to hear that others have been through this. Here's my story: Alhamdulillah, I recently came back to Islam and started praying all my five daily prayers. But I'm the only one in my immediate family who practices. My parents and sister don't pray, and sadly, their daily talk is mostly about backbiting (ghibah), judging others, and saying negative things about people. It hurts me every single day. I feel like a stranger in my own home, unable to share my spiritual joys or struggles with them. A few weeks ago, I met a brother online who helped me see the beauty of Islam more clearly. We had deep, respectful conversations about our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) and our faith. He was the first person I could talk to about deen without being judged. We both had serious intentions for marriage, and he seemed to share my values like wanting to marry young and work hard. However, a few days ago, he went silent. He said he was sick and needed space. I tried messaging him but got no reply-it felt like he was ghosting me. So I prayed Istikhara and felt some peace, but my heart is still anxious because of the silence. To protect my mental health and stop the anxiety of waiting for a message, I made the hard decision to delete him completely. I want to rely only on Allah and stand on my own two feet. Now, I feel incredibly lonely. Seeing my family's behavior contrasts so sharply with the respectful connection I had, and it makes me wonder: "Why did Allah let me taste this beautiful companionship only to take it away?" I'm torn between: - Trusting that this silence is a test or a protection from Allah. - The fear that I might be stuck in this environment alone forever. - Wondering if I was right to cut off contact completely to save my peace. Has anyone here been the only practicing Muslim in their family? How do you deal with the loneliness and the pain of seeing your loved ones commit sins like backbiting and not praying? And for those who have had a similar situation with someone you grew attached to who suddenly stopped reaching out, how did you handle the waiting? Did cutting off all contact bring you peace? I'm looking for spiritual strength and advice, and I want to remind myself that Allah is enough for me. Any counsel or dua would mean the world to me. Jazakum Allahu Khayran.