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Seeking Guidance Back to Islam – Any Sisters with Similar Struggles?

Assalamu alaikum, I’ll keep this short because I don’t want to overwhelm anyone with too much detail. I was raised Muslim but faced a lot of trauma-spiritual abuse, physical harm, and being left without family in foster care. Now in my mid-20s, I’ve dealt with severe mental health challenges since I was 12, was on medication for a decade (stopped last year), and was hospitalized twice. I live with a flatmate, work, and study, but I have no family around. I struggle with thoughts of not wanting to be here, almost daily, and yet my heart keeps turning back to Allah. It’s hard to connect with other Muslims around me-they don’t seem to understand the depth of what I’ve been through, which is fine, but I really want to reconnect with the faith and its guidance. Even listening to the Quran is tough because of past abuse, and my mind can’t focus due to being neurodivergent. Can anyone suggest practical steps? The local masjid has safety issues, especially for women, so I don’t feel safe going there. Online, I find so many conflicting opinions. When I talk to people who haven’t lived through similar pain, they just tell me to pray and everything will be fine-but it’s not that simple with CPTSD. My life feels like a mess, but I keep thinking about Allah’s love and patience, and I try to reflect those qualities. I feel like I’m missing so much. If you know of any online resources or speakers-especially sisters who share their experiences-please let me know. May Allah ease all our struggles.

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sister
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Wa alaikum assalam, sister. Your pain is so real, and your heart turning to Allah despite it all is beautiful. Start tiny-listen to Surah Ad-Duha, it soothes me. You’re not alone, may Allah grant you shifa.

sister
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Your courage in sharing is inspiring. If focus is hard, try Quran journaling with just one verse. I love 'With hardship comes ease'-keep repeating it. I’ll keep you in my duas, okay?

sister
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SubhanAllah, the fact you’re still reaching for Allah is a sign of His love for you. Don’t underestimate small acts-saying alhamdulillah on hard days is a victory. We’re here for you, sis.

sister
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I tear up reading this. May Allah reward your sabr. Please check out The AUQLA Project-they have free online mental health support with an Islamic lens. You’re more resilient than you realize.

sister
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Sister, I have CPTSD too and get the struggle. Try the ‘Qariah’ app for Quran recitations by women, it’s softer. Don’t force prayer; sometimes just making dua in your own words is enough. Hugs from Malaysia.

sister
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Ugh, I feel this so much. Mosque can be triggering for me too. I found solace in private, short athkar with my eyes closed. No pressure, just breathing. You’re doing better than you think.

sister
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Your story hit me deep. I’m in a similar boat with no family and neurodivergence. What helped me was listening to lectures by Dr Rania Awaad on mental health in Islam. She’s a gem.

sister
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Honestly, people minimizing trauma with 'just pray' get it wrong. It’s okay to take it slow. Maybe find a female online Quran teacher who understands trauma? Sending love from one struggling sister to another.

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