If you or a friend has experienced discrimination, you probably know it can lead to mental and physical health issues, emotional distress, conflicts with identity, social exclusion, relationship issues, reduced quality of life and fear/safety concerns.

To support you in rising above these harmful impacts, I would like to share what I believe are the most effective Islamic personal development strategies to elevate your skills in managing discrimination easily and effectively.

It starts with building your Islamic character/value traits that can combat difficulties in handling discrimination. Here is my list of the top 10 character traits to support you in being impacted adversely from any acts of discrimination. (PS. In my next blog, I share the “HOW” part, in developing these traits)

Resilience:

1 – Resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversity and challenges, knowing that Allah is with you all the way.

• Developing resilience can help us withstand discrimination by maintaining faith and a positive outlook, seeking support when needed, and persevering through difficult times.

Self-confidence

2 – Self-confidence: Believing in God (Allah), oneself and one’s abilities is crucial when facing discrimination.

• Self-confident individuals are better equipped to confront discriminatory behaviors and stand up for their rights without letting negative experiences undermine their self-worth.

Empathy

3 – Cultivating empathy can enhance your understanding of others’ perspectives and experiences, including those who discriminate.

• By empathizing with others, we can better manage our emotions, communicate more effectively, and foster positive relationships even in the face of discrimination.

Prophet Muhammad  (pbuh) is a prime example of this trait, through his beliefs of being a source of mercy and empathy for all humanity, when discriminated against by many, he was able to manage such interactions with ease & grace.

Assertiveness

4 – Assertiveness involves expressing your thoughts, feelings, and needs in a direct and respectful manner, as Islam teaches.

• Being assertive can help you assert your rights, set boundaries, and address discriminatory behavior effectively without resorting to aggression or passivity.

Open-mindednesss

5 – Having an open mind allows one to consider diverse viewpoints and challenge stereotypes and biases.

• Open-minded individuals are more adaptable and less likely to internalize discriminatory attitudes, enabling them to navigate diverse environments with greater ease.

Self-awareness

6 – Self-awareness (via self-learning & self-reflection) involves understanding your emotions, thoughts, strengths, and weaknesses.

The more you know yourself, the more you know God, is a common Islamic teaching, motivating us to always seek to improve our self-knowledge.

• By increasing your self-awareness, you can identify how discrimination affects you personally, develop coping strategies, and engage in self-care to maintain mental and emotional well-being.

Courage

7 –  Courage is the ability to face challenges, take risks, and act with integrity even in difficult situations. Continuous growth of one’s faith and relationship with Allah swt is foundational.

• Having courage can empower you to speak out against discrimination, advocate for change, and inspire others to stand up for equality and justice.

Cultural competence

8 – Cultural competence involves respecting and valuing diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives, and identities, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

• Developing cultural competence can enhance sensitivity to discrimination and promote mutual respect.

Conflict resolution skills

9 – Effective conflict resolution skills are encouraged in Islamic teachings and essential for addressing discrimination constructively and resolving conflicts peacefully.

• Individuals with strong conflict resolution skills are able to engage in productive dialogue, negotiate solutions, and promote positive change in their communities.

Optimism

10 – Maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook can help you cope with discrimination by focusing on solutions, cultivating hope, and believing in the possibility of positive change.

• Fused with reliance, supplication and trust in God (Allah) takes this quality to greater depths. Optimistic individuals are more resilient and resourceful in overcoming challenges and adversity.

By cultivating key foundational Islamic character traits, you can enhance your ability to handle discrimination effectively, promote equality and inclusion, and contribute to creating a more just and equitable society.

One of the key goals of my book, ‘Transformed by Values’, is to help you develop these and other great Islamic character traits to manage your life and challenging experiences optimally and successfully. In my next blog, I will share strategies for how to develop these traits.