Who Are Our Role Models?

Seriously?! The other day I was hanging out with some old friends, and somehow we started talking about famous people and celebrities. One of my friends started talking so passionately about these Muslim youtubers that basically go around pranking people and such. I have to admit that they are quite funny at times and sometimes they do post good things, but a lot of it is a waste of people's already running out time. Now the problem isn't that they're making the videos, the problem is the effect on their viewers. Many of the thousands of people subscribed to their channels get addicted to watching their more-often-than-not pointless videos.

Back to this girl I was talking about- so she found these guys so extremely amazing that she is now officially obsessed with them. And you probably know how a lot of girls are: If they like someone or something, they just have to see them everywhere. Her phone's background was pictures of them and her photo gallery was full of pictures of these boys. What's even worse is that she kept insisting on the fact that all three of them are her husbands. Ahhh, how romantic.

First of all, I am very sorry to say that they are not and will never be your husbands! I know, I know, reality can be cruel. Secondly, eww, just eww. How would you feel if another girl idolized your own brother? Would you accept that this random girl who knows virtually nothing about your brother except for what he posts on his channel, has pictures of you brother all over her room and on her phone, and on her laptop...?! No? Then why do you allow yourself to do the same exact thing to another person's brother? It just doesn't make sense! Just because you like a certain characteristic about a person or like their videos, that does not make them perfect all of a sudden. How do you know how, let's say these guys treat their mothers, huh?

So anyway, this girl goes on to tell me that she cried her eyes out when she couldn't go meet them when they traveled to where she lives. Before I could say anything, another friend of mine jumps in and sympathizes with the girl, telling her that she went through the same tragedy when she missed a One Direction concert. I honestly didn't know what to tell them; I just stared at them bewilderingly, and all I could come up with was a, "really?"

I just don't understand. Why would anyone get so caught up in the lives of another person when they have their own lives to deal with?

Both of these girls are Muslims, and this is the reality of what so many of our teens are being pulled into. Why are we choosing to follow in the footsteps of people who will never benefit our akhirah? Will these people really bring you closer to Allah? Is it just because "everybody else is doing it"? Well, why not be unique and stand up for what your religion tells you rather than follow falsehood and deception? Would you rather have Allah swt by your side, or a bunch of helpless people?

Indeed there is no fear upon the awliya of Allah, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and used to fear Allah much. For them are glad tidings in this life and the Hereafter…" [Soorah Yunus (10): 62]

These are really important questions we should all ask ourselves.

I understand that, as human beings, we always seem to need a role model or someone to look up to for guidance, motivation, or inspiration. As Muslims, alhamdulillah, the prophets peace be upon them all and the sahaba ra have provided us with an endless source of role models and examples. And instead of embracing these resources and showing gratitude towards Allah, we neglect our own heroes, and instead blindly follow these celebrities into their darkness? Some of us know every single detail about the One Direction band, but close to nothing about Abu Bakr or Aisha ra. We have enough time and all the proper sources to search all about celebrities' lives, yet seem to always find an excuse when it comes to becoming familiar with the prophet we claim to love and follow?!

All I can say is, what a shame...
May Allah swt make us all amongst those who follow in the footsteps of the prophets and may He help us in finding real, righteous role models and may He keep us away from all that is evil and all that will lead us astray. Ameen!