Am I an Introvert or Extrovert? | Limited Belief

Bitesize Inspiration

In trying to practice the Deen (of Islām), one may subconsciously feel they are stuck to being either an 'introvert' or 'extrovert,' as that is how it can be perceived when the question (in various platforms) is asked in a black and white fashion, ‘are you an introvert or extrovert?' What also influences this is the stereotypical description associated with one deemed an introvert of being quiet, shy etc. and for one deemed an extrovert of being loud, bold etc. Or at times, when this topic is discussed, the writer/speaker implies in the manner by which they address the topic that people can either be an introvert or extrovert. We don't hear of another option apart from these two.

By limiting ourself to being either an introvert or extrovert along with trying to practice the Deen, we may feel 'i can either be spiritual i.e. introverted, focusing on dhikr (remembrance of Allāh) and personal 'ibādah (worship) etc. away from people or i can be social i.e extroverted, focusing on helping charity/grassroots islamic organisations without any time for solitude etc.

The reality is, our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Sahābah (companions) had ihsān (excellence) both spiritually and socially, i.e they had a mixture of being introverted and extroverted. We're supposed to follow them.

Furthermore, interestingly, Adam Grant of Wharton finds from his study

"that two-thirds of people don’t strongly identify as introverts or extroverts. These people (a.k.a., the vast majority of us) are called ambiverts, who have both introverted and extroverted tendencies." [1]

So don't hold onto this limited belief with regards to achieving your potential in this world and the Hereafter by thinking you can unalterably be either an introvert or extrovert but not a mixture of both, thus confining your life within their stereotypical descriptions. Or that you can be either spiritual or social. As if there can be no excellent synchronisation of both. Don’t let shaytān deceive you regarding the question 'am I an introvert or extrovert?' He doesn’t want you to succeed in this world nor the Hereafter.

Footnote

[1] Bradberry, T (2016). 9 Signs That You're An Ambivert. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2016/04/26/9-signs-that-youre-an-ambivert/?sh=5522bc9c3145