As Muslims, we need to remind ourselves of our purpose in life (dunya). It’s the reason why Allah SWT created us. And what will become of us once this life is over (akhirah).

Oftentimes, we Muslims lose sight of what we do, comparing ourselves to the non-Muslims who’ve made it big with their books, blogs, and influence. However, we must remember that sometimes Allah gives these people everything to show that all the money and fame will never satisfy themselves (and sometimes to show that they’re receiving everything in this life, and nothing in the next).

We must remember that everything we do will be brought before us on the Day of Judgment. Along with Allah’s mercy, our deeds will determine where our souls will eternally remain. Our goal, as Muslims, is to please our Creator and, in turn, we hope to attain Paradise.

As a Muslim writer, we must remember that we are Muslims first and everything else second. Allah SWT will question the topics we write about, the things we (and our writing) support in life, and the answers to these questions will determine our souls’ fate.

Here are a few questions I keep in mind when I’m writing:

• What is the reason I’m writing this?
• How will my writing help me in the hereafter?
• Are the topics I write about against the principles of Islam?
• Are my writings in favor of halal or haram?
• How will my writing benefit the Muslim community?
• Do the topics I write about properly represent Islam?

It’s these questions that help strengthen my writing, knowing that it will be a form of dawah to non-Muslims as well as charity (sadaqa jariya) long after I’m gone.

Remember, non-Muslims and those Muslims with very little knowledge of Islam don’t read the Qur’an and ahadith, they read you. They read what you do, how you act/behave toward others, how you dress, and what you write about/express.

The western media already portrays us as “evil” and “other” because we refuse to “reform” or change the way we do/believe in certain things/ideologies. We, as Muslims, have no need to cater to them since we already know why we were created and Allah SWT has told us how to live our lives through the Qur’an and the teachings/sayings of our beloved messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him).

I hope, dear Muslim writer, that you continue your work to benefit this community and humanity for the sake of Allah. And may Allah SWT accept our works. Ameen.

If you want to know my reasons for being a writer and an author, I have a post on it here.