DAILYREFLECTION
The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.
Many of us know the feeling of waking up at the start of a new year or a “new season” with a long, ambitious list of resolutions. For a week or two, everything is done at 100%. Then the willpower drains and instead of keeping even one small habit, everything snaps back to zero.
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ knew that surge of motivation too. Imagine listening directly to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ giving a powerful reminder.
Who would not want to go “all out” afterwards?
Yet the Prophet ﷺ repeatedly warned against exactly that go-big-or-go-home mindset.
He once came home to ʿAishah RA and found another woman with her. He asked who she was. ʿAishah RA replied, “This is so-and-so; she is known for never sleeping at night because she is always praying.”
Many today would respond, “Amazing, keep going.” Instead, the Prophet ﷺ said in effect: “Do only what you can bear.” He then taught that the most beloved acts to Allah are those a person can keep up with.
If the goal is to build a Qur’an habit, starting with one or two verses, or five focused minutes, is worth more than a heroic hour that only lasts a few days. The same applies to exercise, seeking knowledge, dhikr, writing, or any avenue of growth.
Small daily goals do three things:
They are easy and realistic enough to start and complete.
Completion builds an inner sense of trust and accomplishment.
That feeling makes it easier to add more over time.
Today, choose one habit for Allah that takes five minutes or less.
Reflect On This
Which habit in our life tends to collapse because we demand too much of it too quickly
Share your reflections in the poll at the end of the email.
WATERMELONWATCH
Winter in Gaza: Displaced families face harsh conditions.
OCHA reports continued shelling and airstrikes across Gaza, with the health ministry reporting additional deaths and injuries in the past 48 hours. Even so, partners are scaling winterization and protection support, including winter clothes for over 250,000 children since October and expanding temporary learning spaces and psychosocial services.
Reuters says the October 10 ceasefire is under strain amid disputes over aid levels and what is being allowed in, while talks focus on what comes next. The same reporting notes aid agencies still pushing for larger, steadier flows, with diplomatic tracks trying to keep the truce from unraveling.
Al Jazeera reports Gaza’s medicine stocks remain dangerously low as restrictions persist and ceasefire violations continue to be reported. On the ground, health workers and relief teams are stretching limited supplies and prioritizing lifesaving care, keeping clinics and community support running despite shortages.
QURANCORNER
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak”
Qul a‘ūdhu bi-Rabbi al-falaq
قُلْ (Qul) – A command to the Prophet ﷺ to proclaim this supplication openly.
أَعُوذُ (A‘ūdhu) – "I seek refuge" – implies seeking protection, shelter, and security.
بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ (bi-Rabbi al-Falaq) – "in the Lord of the Daybreak":
"Al-Falaq" refers to the break of dawn – a powerful metaphor for light overcoming darkness. It can also mean the One who causes things to split open, like seeds sprouting or light emerging.
This ayah establishes that only Allah, the One who controls all creation, can protect us from harm.