Award-Winning Actress Quits Bollywood Citing Impact on Faith
Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim took her first step into acting with the Aamir Khan film Dangal. Zaira, who has received numerous awards for her performances, has decided to leave the film industry due to her religious beliefs and the perceived impact on her faith. Let’s explore her words as she explains why she chose to quit acting.
“Five years ago, I made a decision that would change my life forever. Stepping into Bollywood with my debut in Dangal opened the doors to fame. I was in the spotlight, even hailed as a role model for the youth. But this was not something I aspired to be or do. Just as I was beginning to discover and make sense of my successes and failures…”
Today, completing five years, I want to confess that I haven’t truly found happiness in this identity. I’ve felt like I’ve been trying to be someone else for too long. Discovering and understanding the things I dedicate my time, emotions, and efforts to, and the lifestyle I’ve only recently begun to grasp, made me realize that, despite adapting perfectly, I didn’t belong here. Though this field brought me applause, love, and support, it was quietly leading me down the path of ignorance, away from faith. While continuing to work in an environment conflicting with my faith, my relationship with my religion was under threat. I tried to ignore this and convince myself that what I did didn’t affect me. However, in doing so, I lost all the blessings in my life. Blessings, not only limited to happiness, quantity, or favors but also rooted in the struggle I intensely faced, based on the concept of stability.
Connecting My Heart to the Words of Allah Until the End
I was in constant battle with my soul to correct the stagnant image of my faith and reconcile my conscience with my thoughts, not just once but hundreds of times. No matter how hard I tried to strengthen my decision, I found myself still the same person, thinking ‘I will change someday, I will change soon.’ Because surrendering to an environment that would jeopardize my relationship with Allah and lead me away from faith was always easier. I continued to close my eyes to the fact that seeing things as they are is the key.
Instead of evaluating my own faith, I began to rely heavily on Allah’s mercy, believing that Allah would help and guide me. I realized my ignorance of even the most basic things of my religion. In the past I had tried to probe my heart’s discontent and change myself, but my (worldly and shallow) desires prevented me from doing so. So I discovered my disease of doubt and delusion that my heart was affected. (There are two types of diseases that attack the heart: first, doubt, and second, lust and desire. Both are mentioned in the Qur’an).
Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:
There is sickness in their hearts, and Allah ˹only˺ lets their sickness increase. They will suffer a painful punishment for their lies. [Baqarah/10]
During this period, I understood that seeking Allah’s guidance and trusting in His mercy was the solution. Allah guided me back on track whenever I lost my way.
Our Relationship with the Quran and Sunnah Determines Our Relationship with Allah
My relationship with the Quran and the guidance of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) became influential factors in making decisions and reasoning. It changed my approach to life.
Our desires are a reflection of our morality, and our values represent the outward expression of our internal integrity. Similarly, our relationship with the Quran and Sunnah determines the course of our relationship with Allah and our faith. I questioned the deepest reasons for my desires, the meaning of my life, and my purpose. Thus, the factors that influenced and affected my perceptions evolved into a different dimension. What we call success cannot be calculated by traditional, deceptive, and shallow life measures. True success is fulfilling the purpose of creation.
Living in ignorance, we have forgotten the purpose of our creation and deceived our consciences.
so that the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter may be receptive to it, be pleased with it, and be persistent in their evil pursuits. [Al-Anam/1113]
Our purpose cannot be defined as right or wrong based on our selfishness; our purpose is not equivalent to worldly measures.
Allah says:
“I swear by time, that man is indeed in loss, except for those who believe and do good deeds, and recommend each other to the truth, and recommend each other to patience.” [Al-Asr, 1-3]
Our Desires Will Never End
This journey of battling with my soul has been exhausting for a long time. Life is short but at the same time very long when you are at war with yourself. Therefore, I officially declare the end of my relationship with Bollywood. The success of the journey depends on the first step and the reason behind it. I believe I need to paint a more sacred picture of myself, and this is my first step. I decided that this is the path I want to strive on. Desires for success, fame, authority, and wealth will never end. If you do not put a stop to these desires, they can cause you to lose the light of your faith. Strive not to succumb to your desires because they never cease unless you stop them.
At times, there might be deep flaws in our faith, and we often try to cover them with words and philosophies. What we say is not from our hearts, and we seek any excuse connected to these words. But Allah is aware of the contradictions in our hearts. Allah is the Hearer, the Seer, and the Knower.
Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal. [An-Nahl, 19]
Instead of deceiving ourselves, we should make an effort to discover the truth with belief and a sincere heart.
O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty. [Al-Anfal, 29]
You will be with those whom you love
Do not base your choices on the wrong people and criteria for success, which may lead to violating Allah’s commandments. Do not allow such people to influence your life choices or determine your goals. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “On the Day of Judgment, a person is with whom they love.” Also, do not be arrogant to seek advice from those who are more knowledgeable than you; distance yourself from your ego and pride. Trust in Allah’s guidance; only He can turn hearts, guide, and never mislead anyone. Not everyone has a conscience aware of what we need to know or change, and therefore, behaviors like judging, belittling, or mocking such people do not suit us. What we should do is remind each other of the right and wrong, creating an impact on the truth with politeness and mercy.
But ˹continue to˺ remind. For certainly reminders benefit the believers. [Adh-Dhariyat, 55]
Before doing so, we should remind ourselves to emulate Islam in our hearts, actions, intentions, and behaviors. Remember that when you embark on your journey, you may face difficulties, resistance, and mockery, even from your loved ones. Sometimes, these attitudes may be due to your past life. However, don’t let this break your courage, and don’t let this situation make you lose hope in Allah’s mercy and guidance. Because He is the Guide. Do not let your past actions prevent you from seeking repentance because He is the Forgiver.
The One Who Holds Fire in the Palm of His Hand
Don’t let ridicule, bad words and people’s fears keep you from the path you want to be on and prevent you from expressing yourself in the best way possible. Don’t let the worry of tomorrow keep you from your path, for He is the Provider.
It can be a difficult, complex and sometimes unimaginably lonely path, especially in today’s time, as Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) says: “A time will come upon mankind when the one who is patient and persistent in practicing his religion and living as a Muslim will be like the one who holds fire in the palm of his hand.
May Allah guide our ships to find their shores and help us to distinguish between truth and deception and strengthen our faith. May He make our hearts fixed on Faith. May He purify our hearts from hypocrisy, arrogance and ignorance and grant us sincerity in our worship.
