Ramadan Quran Reflection Day #3 (3:159)
Ever wake up to a kid emptying their entire piggy bank on the pillow right next to your ear? Well, that happened to me this morning, and let me tell you: it’s not so fun. Now, my reaction to that occurrence, well let’s just say there was room for improvement. I’ll give myself a B-.
It reminded me though of the story I heard last night at our local mosque. Prophet Muhammad was in the mosque with many of his companions when a Bedouin walked in and began urinating in the corner. The mosque being a place of worship and purity angered the companions where they wanted to immediately lash out at the man for such an atrocity. The prophet, however, being the wise considerate man he was, stopped them in their tracks. He would handle the situation for them. After the man was finished and about to leave, the prophet kindly advised him that urinating shouldn’t happen in this place of purity and prayer. The man understood and never repeated that mistake.
When we react with anger, not only do we cause emotional backlash and disconnect, but it will also hardly ever cause changed behavior. If you want changed behavior, you respond according to our prophetic model, with kindness and empathy. One of the hardest things to do is control ourself in that moment, but when you take a step back and try to empathize with that person, and when you know that anger won’t help them change their behavior, then you’ll realize that the best way to foster healthy communication and growth is to respond with kindness.
The prophet was extremely talented in this. Empathy and kindness are what he was known for. And the Quran affirms that in this verse:
وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ
“Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have turned away from you.”
If you want to help the person you’re about to react to, then know that the only way to do so without hurting them and causing friction or resentment is to RESPOND with kindness and empathy, as our beloved prophet taught us through his words and action.
So, for you coins in the piggy bank, I’m ready for you tomorrow. Watch me.
Ever wake up to a kid emptying their entire piggy bank on the pillow right next to your ear? Well, that happened to me this morning, and let me tell you: it’s not so fun. Now, my reaction to that occurrence, well let’s just say there was room for improvement. I’ll give myself a B-.
It reminded me though of the story I heard last night at our local mosque. Prophet Muhammad was in the mosque with many of his companions when a Bedouin walked in and began urinating in the corner. The mosque being a place of worship and purity angered the companions where they wanted to immediately lash out at the man for such an atrocity. The prophet, however, being the wise considerate man he was, stopped them in their tracks. He would handle the situation for them. After the man was finished and about to leave, the prophet kindly advised him that urinating shouldn’t happen in this place of purity and prayer. The man understood and never repeated that mistake.
When we react with anger, not only do we cause emotional backlash and disconnect, but it will also hardly ever cause changed behavior. If you want changed behavior, you respond according to our prophetic model, with kindness and empathy. One of the hardest things to do is control ourself in that moment, but when you take a step back and try to empathize with that person, and when you know that anger won’t help them change their behavior, then you’ll realize that the best way to foster healthy communication and growth is to respond with kindness.
The prophet was extremely talented in this. Empathy and kindness are what he was known for. And the Quran affirms that in this verse:
وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ
“Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have turned away from you.”
If you want to help the person you’re about to react to, then know that the only way to do so without hurting them and causing friction or resentment is to RESPOND with kindness and empathy, as our beloved prophet taught us through his words and action.
So, for you coins in the piggy bank, I’m ready for you tomorrow. Watch me.
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