All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
We advice your friend to keep up what she is doing and not to pay attention to the harm she may experience from others, even if it comes from a close relative. Allah Almighty tests those whom He blesses with piety with such harm, especially at this time when religion has become strange among people. A Hadeeth states: "Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the ‘strangers’.' It was said: 'Who are the strangers?’ He (the Prophet ) replied: 'The strangers are those who have left their tribes (for the sake of Allah).'" [Muslim]
The Hadeeth means that the one who adheres to his religion will feel a sense of not belonging and being abandoned like a stranger. The term "so give glad tidings" meaning, of a good life, or the Paradise will be granted to them, as a result.
In another narration, some asked, "'Who are they O Messenger of Allah?' He replied: 'They are those who remain upright when other people become corrupted.'"
The Prophet also informed us that there shall come upon the people a time in which the one who adheres to his religion will be like the one holding onto a burning ember. Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah reported: "Ahead of you days of patience will come, during which patience will be like grasping a burning ember, and one who does good deeds will have a reward like that of fifty men doing the same deed.” In another narration, people asked: "'O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty men from them (their time)?' He said: 'No! Rather the reward of fifty men from you.'"
We reiterate our advice to that woman to be patient in her uprightness and obedience of Allah and to ignore whatever she may hear from the people. She should also ignore the whispers of Satan because they are a means by which Satan tries to avert her from what is good. In these cases, mentioning Allah as much as one can, is the best means to keep Satan and his whispers away.
Allah Knows best.