Is my faith drifting away?
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. I’m not sure how to begin. Everyone sees me as a devout sister-I never miss a prayer, I’m memorizing the Qur’an, I wake up for Tahajjud, and I dress modestly. But lately, inside I feel totally empty. While I look religious on the outside, my heart feels far from it. I remember when Islamic talks would move me to tears, and I’d make du’a with such certainty, believing that even if I didn’t get what I asked for, at least I was gaining reward. I’ve given up so many habits: wearing makeup, listening to music, and I’ve started dressing more modestly. The toughest decision was quitting drawing living beings. That was my specialty-I studied it, taught it, and was planning to build my career around it. Yet every time I drew a person, my conscience bothered me. After looking into it, I understood it’s haram, so I stopped quietly, without telling my family. They’ve supported me financially through college and even bought me art supplies. Since leaving nearly everything I loved for Allah’s sake, I feel hollow inside-though I know that emptiness is just waswas from Shaytan. I believe Allah will replace it with something better, but sometimes I’m just exhausted. I have nothing to fill my days: no job, no close friends, no husband. It’s a constant battle against my own desires. A voice in my head keeps asking, “Why am I holding myself back while everyone around me is having a good time, and I’m just struggling?” Worse, during ordinary arguments, my parents call me a hypocrite. They say my prayers and Qur’an classes are pointless because I’m a “bad daughter.” That makes me question everything. I think, “Should I just quit? I don’t even feel a strong spiritual connection, so what’s the point of all this effort?” Not long ago, I was considering wearing the niqab, but now sometimes I feel like taking off my hijab altogether. I needed to pour out what’s in my heart. I’d really appreciate some advice, and please, please remember me in your du’as.