Be Yourself

In the name of Allah, Master Fard Muhammad. We thank him for His Messenger, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad

As-salaam alaikum!

Have your friends ever asked you to do something you knew wasn’t right? Maybe they encouraged you to eat food you shouldn’t, talk about someone behind their back, or tell a lie. Standing up to friends can be tough, but we still must make the right choice.

Peer pressure happens when friends push you to do what they want. It can be wonderful when friends encourage each other to be their best. But it can be terrible, and sometimes dangerous, when friends pressure each other to misbehave. The Holy Quran (5:2) says, “Help one another in righteousness and piety, help not one another in sin and aggression.” This means we should encourage each other to do good and stop each other from doing bad things whenever we can.

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Messenger Elijah Muhammad told us to “Accept your own and be yourself.” Yourself is a righteous Muslim. Black men, women, and children are righteous by nature. We enjoy doing good things. When we do something wrong, we feel bad inside. No one enjoys feeling that way. The best way to feel happy and peaceful is to behave, even when you feel pressure to follow the crowd.

Have you ever noticed that when everyone around you is doing the wrong thing, it does not seem as bad? That is why people who cause trouble often want others to join them. You might feel like you will not fit in if you do not go along. But it takes courage to do what is right, even when you feel pushed to do wrong. Remember, making smart choices leads to success.

Let me share a story with you. When I was a teenager, I accepted Islam and started to practice How to Eat to Live. I stopped eating pork right away, but it was hard to give up other foods like fresh bread, popcorn, and Reese's cups. Eating only once a day without snacking was also tough! My non-Muslim family saw me struggle and teased me. They said I should eat pork and told me that eating once a day was unhealthy. Sometimes I felt alone, but I did not give up. I wanted to show them the Messenger was right. As time went on, I kept striving to get better. Now, after many years, those same people ask me for advice on becoming healthy. Isn’t that something? I am grateful to Allah, Master Fard Muhammad, for helping me not give up when I felt pressured.

Let me share some tips to help you stand up to negative peer pressure:

• Fear no one but Allah, Master Fard Muhammad: Don’t worry if your friends get upset about your choices, as long as you are doing what’s right. What matters most is that Allah, Master Fard Muhammad, is pleased with you. He sees us even when no one else does and knows our hearts.
• Follow the Messenger: Messenger Elijah Muhammad is our example. He showed us how to behave. He always told the truth, no matter who he spoke to or what he was asked. He was serious, kind, humble, and commanding. Read his books and watch his videos to get to know him, and then strive to follow his example.
• Choose Righteous Friends: Make friends with children who enjoy doing positive things. The best friends are honest, helpful, and love their Black brothers and sisters. Good friends will support you and help you succeed.
• Avoid Bad Friends: Stay away from children who try to get you to do wrong. People who lead you into trouble do not want what’s best for you. If they really care about you, they might even start acting better to keep your friendship. That would be positive peer pressure.
• Seek Assistance: Pray to Allah, Master Fard Muhammad, when things are tough. Ask Him to help your friends behave, or else help you find better friends. If you’re not sure what to do, talk to your parents for advice. They have gone through similar problems and know good solutions.

Doing hard things makes us stronger. Strive to stand up to negative peer pressure every day. If you hear other students lying to a teacher and then the teacher asks you for the truth, you might worry that the others will get in trouble and be upset with you. But since telling the truth is the right thing to do, you should be honest. If a friend is speaking badly about someone, say something good in their defense.  The more you practice listening to your heart and doing what is right, the easier it is to become a good Muslim.

Remember, it is always okay to stand out when you are doing the right thing. Each of us is responsible for our own actions. You cannot blame your friends for what you do. Always try to make smart choices, choose your friends wisely, and do not be afraid to say no. Allah, Master Fard Muhammad, will be so happy when he sees you striving to be your righteous self. The Messenger said, “Try to be yourself, and you will find yourself to be the best” (Divine Sayings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad).

As-salaam alaikum