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Your Ego Has Blind Spots
Bismillah. This is DailySunnah.
Sometimes, the path to purification isn’t found in solitude or silent prayer but in the way someone looks at us, challenges us, or even hurts our feelings.
Here’s what we have for you today:
🧠 Main Story: Your Ego Has Blind Spots
👶 SunnahStories: The Flying Tortoise
📚DeenDigest: The Life Calendar
🌎️ UmmahSpotlight: Palestine Takes it Home
🤲 Make Du’a for Rahil
🍉 WatermelonWatch: Day 555
A believer is the mirror of his brother.
When he sees a fault in it, he should correct it.
This teaching reveals a fascinating parallel with our physical reality.
Just as we cannot see our own face without a reflection, we often cannot perceive our own character without the reflection provided by others.
When something is stuck between your teeth or on your face, everyone else can see it while you remain unaware.
Someone might gesture toward their own teeth to signal something is there, yet without their indication, you would continue in oblivion and embarrassment.
This physical reality perfectly illustrates our spiritual condition.
Those character flaws?
Those annoying habits?
Yeah, everyone else sees them crystal clear while we're strutting around thinking we've got it all together.
We're all walking around with spiritual spinach in our teeth, completely clueless until someone cares enough to tell us.
The gift of friendship and brotherhood is that others serve as spiritual mirrors, reflecting what we cannot see on our own.
But here's the thing, mirrors don't just show us what's wrong.
They also reflect our beauty, our strengths, and our progress.
Sometimes we're so focused on our perceived flaws that we can't see how far we've come until someone else points it out.
Friction Creates Polish
Moreover, we would miss countless growth opportunities without the challenges and situations that others bring upon our ego and selves.
When someone tests our patience, triggers our anger, or reveals our attachment to a certain image, these moments serve as catalysts for spiritual development.
Ever notice how easy it is to think you're patient until you're stuck behind someone driving 10 mph under the speed limit?
We improve not just through reflection, but through the friction of human interaction that reveals the rough edges of our character that need smoothing.
The Gift of Criticism
When asked how he developed such impeccable character, Imam Malik replied that he always listened carefully to his detractors, took their criticisms to heart, and worked diligently to address those shortcomings.
Rather than responding with defensiveness or anger, he embraced critique as a pathway to excellence.
Another wise teacher, when asked how he acquired his vast knowledge, shared that he took every person he ever met as a teacher.
Those who were better than him provided examples to emulate, while those who demonstrated negative traits showed him what to avoid.
In this way, each interaction becomes a gift, an opportunity to see ourselves more clearly and to grow in compassion and purity.
Reflect On this:
When was the last time you received criticism that sparked defensiveness? Could you revisit that moment with an open heart, seeing it as a mirror reflecting something you needed to see?
🎬️ Ready. Set. Action!
Approach a trusted friend and ask, "What's one habit I have that might be annoying or off-putting to others?"
Tip: Promise not to get defensive, just listen and thank them.
What did you think of today's reflection? |
Tareq the tortoise, slow and shy,
Watched the birds dance through the sky.
"How I wish to soar so high,"
"To rise above and learn to fly!"
Two kind geese came gliding low,
They greeted him with hearts aglow.
"Each has a gift," said wise Bashir,
"Allah made all with roles so clear."
But Tareq dreamed of grander things,
Of sky-bound praise and borrowed wings.
"Take a stick," he said one day,
"Fly with me—I'll bite and stay."
"But promise this," sweet Basma warned,
"No words aloud must be performed."
He bit the stick, the geese took flight,
Together rose—a wondrous sight!
The people gasped, their eyes grew wide,
"A flying tortoise!" they all cried.
And pride took root in Tareq's chest,
He longed to shout above the rest.
"It was my idea!" he tried to say—
But opened his mouth and fell away.
Down he tumbled, spinning fast,
Until he landed with a crash.
The geese flew down with gentle grace,
And found him dazed in sandy place.
"You broke your word and let go pride,"
"And nearly lost your life," they sighed.
Tareq wept and bowed his head,
"Forgive me for the words I said."
"Now I know to be content,
And thank Allah for what He sent."
Reflection Questions:
1️⃣ Why did Tareq want to fly with the birds?
2️⃣ What warning did the geese give him before the flight?
3️⃣ What lesson did Tareq learn after his fall?
4️⃣ What does the Qur’an say about arrogance and showing off?
5️⃣ How can we stay humble even when others admire us?
What did you think of today's SunnahStories?We'll use your feedback to improve them! |
📚DeenDigest
🌎️ UmmahSpotlight:
🤲 Make Du’a for Rahil
﷽
Ya Allah, Most Generous and Most Kind, bless Rahil with success in all his pursuits. Guide his steps, open the doors of opportunity, and place barakah in his efforts.
Oh Allah, grant him happiness that fills his heart, and surround him with peace and purpose. Help him achieve his dreams in ways that bring him closer to You and allow him to benefit others.
Make his journey one of growth, fulfillment, and light — in this life and the next.
Ameen, Ya Rabb al-'Alamin.
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🍉 WatermelonWatch: Day 555
🏥 Israel bombs al-Ahli Hospital, north Gaza’s last functioning hospital, multiple times, damaging its genetics lab, pharmacy & ER buildings, putting it out of service & leaving critical patients on the streets
👆Patients forced to evacuate in only 20 mins + 3 people killed incl. a kid in the process
🇵🇸 37+ Palestinians killed in Gaza today
‼️ IOF issued expulsion orders for Khan Younis, directing them to al-Mawasi
🚀 Houthis fire 2 missiles at IOF base and Tel Aviv airport, stopping air traffic. US attacks kill 6 people in Yemen
⛑️ Red Cross says missing PRCS medic was taken captive by Israel
🇵🇸 North: IOF airstrike on family home killed 6 Palestinians in Jabalia; airstrike on Shujayea killed 3 people; attack on a group killed 1 person in Beit Lahia
🇵🇸 IOF strike on vehicle killed 7 Palestinians incl. 6 brothers in Deir el-Balah (central); other airstrike on building killed 3 people
🇵🇸 IOF shelled “safe-zone” al-Mawasi killing 2 Palestinians; attacks in Khan Younis killed 3 incl. police commander
🇵🇸 West Bank: Settlers attacked Palestinians in Masafer Yatta injuring 2 girls + IOF abducted 5+ Palestinians as they defend their kids
ﻡ of the Day
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