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As Muslims, we are taught to respond to hatred and negativity with kindness and compassion. In the Quran, it is said:

"Repel evil with what is better: then will he be one whom Allah loves." (Quran 13:22)

And the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

"When you see hatred in the heart of someone, smile at him; when you see enmity in the heart of someone, invite him to dinner; and when you see someone disobeying Allah, pray for him." (Hadith)

As you, Carol Lennox, so aptly put it, "Haters gonna hate" is indeed a reality, but as Muslims, we believe that we must respond to hate with love. We must not let hatred consume us, but rather choose to love ourselves and others, even those who hate us.

🏵️However, Islam also permits us to stand firm against aggression and defend ourselves when necessary. The Quran states:

"And whoever opposes (the Prophet) after what has been clear to him of the guidance - nor would he act aright in it or follow its ordinance as Allah intends shall be as one who has been torn by a wound by the sword." (Quran 4:115)

This does not mean that we should be aggressive or violent towards others, but rather that we should defend ourselves and our beliefs when necessary. We must do so with courage, compassion, and wisdom.

In Islam, we are encouraged to practice self-reflection and self-care as a way to deal with negative emotions. We are reminded to seek forgiveness from Allah and from others, and to forgive those who have wronged us.

By following these principles, we can create a more positive and loving environment, both within ourselves and in our communities. As Anne Lamott so eloquently puts it, "Loving the haters anyway" is not just a philosophy, but a way of life that is rooted in our faith.

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