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Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
There’s a timeless story from the life of Isa (Al Masih) ibn Maryam ع that reveals something deep about human behaviour -
something that helps you stay calm when you feel attacked
misunderstood
or pushed beyond your limits
One day
Isa ع walked past a gathering of people
Instead of welcoming him
they hurled harsh words -
insults
mockery
ridicule
The kind of treatment that would break most hearts
But he didn’t respond with the same
He replied with gentleness
calmness
and goodness
Someone who witnessed this asked him :
“Why do you reply to their evil with good?”
And he said :
“Each person spends from that which he has.”
This line carries a truth that can change the way you see every interaction
We’re all spending every day -
not money
but character
Think about it :
A patient person “spends” patience
A kind person “spends” kindness
A wounded person “spends” harshness
A jealous person “spends” bitterness
A peaceful heart “spends” calmness
And a person close to Allah spends goodness
even when goodness is not shown to them
What comes out of your mouth
your behaviour
your tone -
it’s simply a reflection of what’s been cultivated inside you
The real question becomes : What do I want to have inside me?
Because you can’t control :
What others say
What others assume
How others treat you
But you can control what you carry and what you spend
This isn’t about being passive
nor about letting people walk over you
It’s about maintaining the wealth of your character -
even when others try to empty it
Kindness isn’t weakness
Responding with goodness isn’t naïve
It is strength
It is clarity
It is a sign of a heart that knows Allah sees every response
every intention
And when you respond with good
you’re not responding to them -
you’re responding to Allah
A reminder for your week
When someone speaks harshly
pause and ask yourself :
“What do I want to spend right now?”
If you want Allah’s mercy
spend mercy
If you want Allah’s gentleness
spend gentleness
If you want a purified heart
spend goodness -
even when it feels difficult
May Allah fill our hearts with character that bring us closer to Him
and allow our responses to reflect the best of what we carry
Ameen
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Share this with someone who spends goodness everywhere they go
مع الدفء (with warmth)
- hidāyah