The Sunnah of Gentleness

How Gentleness Nurtures Growth

Reading time: 2 minutes

Show gentleness, for if gentleness is found in anything, it beautifies it, and when it is taken out from anything, it damages it.

There is a child within all of us.

Regardless of age or circumstances, that inner child craves the gentle touch of understanding and kindness.

This yearning continues to stay within us throughout our lives.

It’s why we immediately console a crying baby with soothing words and a gentle touch.

Yet, stress, anger, and frustration often overwhelm us, transforming how we respond to the world.

These emotions shut down our ability to reason and activate our fight-or-flight mechanism.

That is how many of us suppress and bury our emotions and leave situations unresolved or lash out, hurting others, never expressing our feelings constructively.

But take a moment with me now and imagine a rainfall.

An intense downpour of rain is much like what we say when overwhelmed by negative emotions.

Its relentless and overwhelming force destroys what it wishes to protect and nourish.

With enough force, the rain even washes away the topsoil, which contains valuable nutrients and exposes the plant’s roots, leading to the plant's demise.

But consider the alternative: the gentle rain, with its soft touch and patient nature.

It seeps into the soil gradually, allowing plants to absorb water and nutrients at the pace needed.

This soft rain opens up the soil and gives the plant’s roots room to grow, enhancing the plant's stability and ability to access nutrients.

Being gentle with others invites openness and acceptance, building trust and connection.

That is how we strengthen the people we connect with, building their self-resilience and strength.

They begin to trust in themselves and become proactive in their development, and the love in our relationships grows.

Remember, the same water that gives life can destroy it.

In the same way, our emotional states and words can nurture or damage our relationships and those we care about most.

So, let us avoid being the heavy downpour that sends others running for cover, seeking escape from its overwhelming nature.

And instead, be the light rain that soothes and invites them to find peace in its gentle touch.

Reflection:

Reflect on a recent experience where you felt overwhelmed by negative emotions. How did your response impact yourself and others involved?

🎬️ Take Action

Choose someone in your life who often triggers emotional reactions in you.

Take a moment to list a few positive qualities you admire about them. Try to understand their perspective and life circumstances more deeply, fostering compassion for them.

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Du’a of the Day

In this section, we will share one du’a that can be used in your daily devotions and share its meaning.

غُفْرَانَکَ ، اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِيْ أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الأَذَىٰ وَعَافَانِي

Transliteration: 

Gufranaka, Alhamdulilla hil Lazi Azhaba Annil aza wa Aafanee

English Translation

I ask you (Allah) for forgiveness, all praises to Allah who has taken away my discomfort and granted me relief.

Explanation

This is the Dua for leaving the restroom

It begins with seeking forgiveness from Allah, acknowledging our reliance on Him and our constant need for His mercy and forgiveness.

It's an essential bodily function we often take for granted, but it's necessary for our health and well-being.

Through this dua, we thank Allah for the blessings bestowed upon us.

🍉 Watermelon Watch 🍉 

Day 206


• 34 Palestinians killed, 68 injured in Gaza in the last 24 hours

• Several Israeli attacks on homes in Rafah kill at least 20, including 5 children and 9 family members

🇺🇸 US finds 5 Israeli military units liable for serious human rights violations but says 4 have “remedied” & don’t need sanctions. US is hesitant to sanction the 5th unit

• Mounting garbage and rising temperatures infest besieged Rafah with flies & mosquitos, worsening conditions for displaced Palestinians

🇱🇧 Lebanon accepts ICC jurisdiction to prosecute Israelis for crimes committed on Lebanese territory; considered a landmark step

🎓 1,000+ have been arrested at Gaza protests on US campuses since encampments started. Student protests have spread to France, Italy, Egypt & Jordan

🇮🇩🇲🇾 Boycotts in Indonesia & Malaysia force equity firms (General Atlantic + CVC) to halt multimillion-dollar US fast food company stake sales like in McDonalds

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