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In our journey of faith, we all strive to draw closer to Allah.

Yet, in this pursuit lies a subtle trap that can undermine our efforts and distance us from Allah.

This trap is the spiritual ego, a form of religiosity that masquerades as piety but is rooted in arrogance, self-satisfaction, and the desire for validation.

The spiritual ego is a deceptive force.

It convinces us that our actions are for the sake of Allah when in reality, they are driven by the need to prove ourselves right, to assert authority, or to gain the admiration of others.

It is what some scholars have termed "spiritual narcissism" or "religious arrogance."

When we correct someone’s mistake, are we doing so to guide them or to inflate our sense of self-importance?

We must ask ourselves these questions, for the spiritual ego can easily warp our intentions.

This is not a new phenomenon.

Allah tells us in the Quran about the people of the past who used the verses of Allah to serve their own desires.

They manipulated the divine words and the people in ways that suited their agendas.

Today, we see similar tendencies.

Understand that this issue arises for many people as they become more attuned to their faith, and it’s okay to struggle with it—awareness is the first step toward healing.

This is why self-satisfaction is so dangerous, especially for those working hard on themselves; it can quietly shift our focus from pleasing Allah to pleasing our egos, undermining the sincerity we strive to cultivate.

The cure is to remember where we came from.

We were born weak, dependent, and in need of Allah’s mercy.

We are not infallible, nor are we superior to anyone else.

Our knowledge, good deeds, and religious practices are all gifts from Allah, not our own achievements.

May Allah protect us from the dangers of spiritual ego, grant us sincerity in our actions, and guide us to the straight path.