Please Stop Brushing Off Those Who Are Hurting, Bismillah

Assalamu Alaikum, I need to say something about a problem I see too often in Muslim circles, especially online. Many people turn to our communities when they're hurting. They come confused, anxious, broken, or just looking for help and understanding. Posting is hard for some - for a few it might be their last try to reach someone. Too often they don't get mercy. They're judged instead of listened to. They're dismissed instead of helped. We forget that behind every name is a real person - a heart, a mind, someone who may already feel very alone. Some aren't asking for a theological debate. They are asking because they are in pain. Words carry weight. Tone matters. One kind reply can help someone breathe again. A harsh answer can make them feel rejected, misunderstood, or unworthy of help. Especially when you can't see the tears or the shaking hands behind the screen. What's worse is the air of superiority that sometimes shows up - speaking sharply, assuming intentions, labeling people instead of trying to understand them. Giving guidance shouldn't be humiliation. Advice isn't cruelty. Correcting someone doesn't mean taking away their dignity. Our deen teaches mercy before judgment and compassion before pride. If someone asks for help, even if their struggle is unfamiliar or uncomfortable, we don't have the right to dismiss their suffering. We might never know how close someone is to breaking, or whether our words will help them hold on or push them further into despair. That is a heavy responsibility. If you can't help, at least do no harm. If you can't answer, at least be gentle. If you disagree, do it with respect and humility. Sometimes listening is an act of worship. Sometimes a kind word or a gentle reply can truly save someone. Compassion before ego, humility before judgment. Supporting a person who is suffering isn't optional - it's part of our duty as believers.