On day 25, I'm exploring the art of offering constructive feedback, a skill that resonates deeply with the values of Islam. As we navigate our daily interactions within the masjid community and beyond, providing feedback with compassion and clarity becomes an essential skill for growth and understanding.

Today, while preparing food for the iftar at the masjid, an opportunity came for me to provide feedback to one of my brothers. It's tricky because I didn't really know how to speak with him in a way that would help receive the feedback as an act of love and not shame. Earlier today, I was during "Daily Wisdom: Selections from the Holy Quran", and came across this reminder:

"And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers" (51:55).

This verse highlights the importance of offering guidance and support to my brothers, acknowledging that we can all elevate ourselves through gentle reminders. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the value of honesty and kindness in our interactions, saying, "The believer is a mirror to the believer" (Abu Dawud). Just as a mirror reflects our image without distortion, offering sincere and constructive feedback allows others to see areas for improvement while recognizing their inherent strengths.

As we wrapped the sandwiches, I held my intentions close to my heart: to uplift, not to criticize for the sake of criticism. I carefully chose my words, ensuring they were specific to the task and conveyed with a tone of positivity. The feedback was not just about pointing out areas of improvement but also about acknowledging the strengths and efforts he was already putting in.

I see constructive feedback as a gift that requires thoughtful consideration of context, intentions, and delivery. It is about providing specific observations, focusing on actions rather than personalities, and offering solutions or suggestions for improvement. My brother received the feedback and was not too pleased about what I said, but I know my intentions were correctly placed, and I made sure to be supportive. I know he didn't like it. But I'm invested in his development, and as my brother, I will not stop. I will follow up on our conversation and help him understand the feedback on what it is and what it isn't.

As we move into the final days of Ramadan, I pray that we can all embrace the art of constructive feedback, recognizing it as a means of strengthening our bonds, supporting each other's growth, and, ultimately, drawing closer to Allah.