When Shaytaan Belittles Your Good, Remember Al-Shakur

There is a very specific whisper many of us know too well.

You pray.

You make dhikr.

You try to show up.

You try to change.

You try to be better than you were yesterday.

And then the thought comes.

“It’s not enough.”

“You’re so inconsistent.”

“Look how flawed your prayer was.”

“Other people do so much more.”

“What’s the point when you keep slipping?”

And slowly, what began as worship turns into heaviness.

Let’s speak about this.

This voice that belittles your good is not humility.

It is not sincerity.

It is not taqwa.

It is the whisper of Shaytaan.

Shaytaan’s Strategy Is Not Always Sin

Many of us think Shaytaan only wins when we commit a big sin. But that is not always his most effective tactic.

Sometimes, he lets you pray.

He lets you fast.

He lets you make dhikr.

But he stands beside you and says, “It’s nothing.”

Because if he can’t stop you from doing good, he will try to make you feel that your good is worthless.

He will magnify your flaws and minimise your efforts.

He will remind you of every mistake you made during Salaah, but never the fact that you showed up to pray.

He will highlight the day you missed your adhkār, but never the 10 days you were consistent.

He will compare your quiet efforts to someone else’s visible worship.

And slowly, he shifts your focus from Allah’s mercy to your imperfection.

That is how he exhausts believers.

The Difference Between Shaytaan’s Voice and Allah’s Guidance

Shaytaan’s whisper says:

“You’re not enough. Stop trying.”

Allah’s guidance says:

“Keep coming back to Me.”

Shaytaan pushes you into despair.

Allah calls you towards hope.

Shaytaan fixates on your flaws.

Allah sees your effort.

And this is where one of the most healing Names of Allah comes in.

Allah Is Al-Shakur

Allah is Al-Shakur — The Most Appreciative.

Think about that.

The Creator of the heavens and the earth appreciates you.

He appreciates your small, tired, imperfect efforts.

He appreciates the two rak’ahs you prayed half asleep.

He appreciates the Astaghfirullah you whispered while washing dishes.

He appreciates the du’ā you made through tears that nobody else saw.

He appreciates the moment you resisted replying harshly.

He appreciates the time you chose patience over anger.

Shaytaan says, “It was small.”

Allah says, “I saw it.”

Shaytaan says, “It was flawed.”

Allah says, “I reward according to intention.”

Shaytaan says, “You’re inconsistent.”

Allah says, ”Every time you return, I am near.”

Why We Fall Into This Trap

As women, especially those who deeply care about their relationship with Allah, we often hold ourselves to impossible standards.

We want khushu in every prayer.

We want full focus and presence in every act of ibadah.

We want to wake for tahajjud daily.

We want to be emotionally regulated, spiritually elevated, productive and present, all at once.

And when we fall short of this idealised version of ourselves, Shaytaan steps in and says, “See? You’re failing.”

But Islam was never meant to be lived in perfection.

It was meant to be lived in persistence.

The Prophet ﷺ taught that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.

Not the most dramatic.

Not the most impressive.

The most consistent.

And consistency is built through gentleness, not self-hatred.

The Subtle Shift From Accountability to Self-Attack

There is a healthy form of self-reflection. We all need muhasabah.

But Shaytaan turns reflection into self-attack.

Healthy reflection says, “How can I improve tomorrow?”

Shaytaan says, ”You’re a hypocrite.”

Healthy reflection says, “I slipped. Let me make tawbah.”

Shaytaan says, “You always slip. What’s the point?”

Healthy reflection brings you closer to Allah.

Shaytaan’s voice pushes you away from Him.

And here is the most important truth,

If a thought makes you want to quit worship, distance yourself from Allah, or feel hopeless, it is not from Allah.

Allah does not call you to Him through humiliation.

He calls you through mercy.

Allah Multiplies What You Think Is Nothing

You may think your 100 Istighfār or Salawāt is small.

You may think your one page of Qur’ān is insignificant.

You may think your quiet sabr goes unnoticed.

But Al-Shakur multiplies.

He places barakah in the smallest act.

A single sincere tear can weigh heavier than years of ritual without presence.

A whispered du’ā can change a decree.

A small habit maintained over time can transform your heart.

You are measuring your deeds by quantity.

Allah measures by sincerity.

You are measuring by perfection.

Allah measures by effort.

When Shaytaan Belittles Your Good

Next time the thought comes, “It wasn’t enough” — pause.

Ask yourself:

Who benefits from me feeling hopeless?

Not Allah.

Allah loves when you turn to Him.

Allah loves when you ask.

Allah loves when you try.

It is Shaytaan who wants you to feel tired, inadequate and defeated.

So instead of agreeing with the whisper, answer it.

“Yes, it was small. But it was for Allah.”

“Yes, it was imperfect. But I still showed up.”

“Yes, I slipped. But I am returning.”

And every return weakens Shaytaan.

Every sincere effort strengthens your heart.

To My Sisters Who Feel It’s Never Enough

If you feel like you are doing a lot less compared to others.

If you feel embarrassed by your small efforts.

If your focus drifts during Salaah.

If you are healing and still have days where you struggle.

If you are trying to rebuild your connection with Allah and feel behind.

Listen carefully.

Your worth in the sight of Allah is not based on spiritual performance.

It is based on your sincerity.

It is based on your turning back.

It is based on your effort.

Shaytaan wants you to see your flaws.

Al-Shakur sees your striving.

And the One who appreciates you is far greater than the one who whispers against you.

So keep going.

Keep whispering Astaghfirullah.

Keep trying.

Keep returning.

Even if it feels small.

Because with Al-Shakur, nothing sincere is ever small.