Note: Stay Truthful And Reliable Even When Dealing With Non-Muslims (Sharing A Lesson Learned)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

📝 Although this may be completely irrelevant and unrelatable to some readers, I thought I'd share some quick reminders and a lesson I've learned today Thursday Alhamdulillah. After I completed processing some documents at a barangay office Alhamdulillah I quickly asked some drivers if they could send me to Wisdom Islamic School Abinsay Street Dumanlas and one of them told me he doesn't go to that route while another seemed a bit reluctant because he was probably unwilling to give a ride to just one passenger. His vehicle is one of those motorcab (?) vehicles here in the Philippines which usually require at least 5 passengers to transport to their destinations and each passenger would normally pay 10 pesos only or 15 pesos depending on the distance of where they're heading to. Anyhow I offered 30 or 50 pesos and even though he agreed with 30 pesos I still felt guilty of possibly giving him less than what he deserves because he'd be utilizing much of his petrol for transporting just one passenger. After I went inside the vehicle and I insisted on paying him 50 pesos, I realized there was an elderly guy driving a yellow pedicab going to Agdao and Dumanlas areas who was patiently waiting for some passengers just a few steps away from the buildings I went out of. If I went with him, I could've saved more money by paying only 10 or 20 pesos. However I was already inside the vehicle with this driver whom I promised to pay 50 pesos if he sends only me to Wisdom Islamic School. I could've called out to the elderly driver and said something like "ayoo! Excuse me! Pwede mag sakai ako? Wisdom Islamic School Buhangin? Abinsay Street?" Then hurriedly tell the first driver "sorry, mag transfer ako djan sa pedicab kasi kailangan ko mag save. Sayang yung 50 pesos. Pasensya na lang ha? Lahat tayo mai stress. Laban tayo lahat" etc. (sorry I'm not yet fluent in Tagalog or Visayan dialect) but Alhamdulillah I decided to stay quiet and proceeded with my agreement. I didn't want this driver to assume that all niqabi Muslimahs are liars or scammers. It wouldn't be helpful to the Muslim Ummah (nation) if he starts gossiping about how he felt disappointed he thought he'd receive 50 pesos only for that opportunity to disappear in a flash or blink. Anyhow Alhamdulillah when we arrived near the school, another neighbor immediately went with that vehicle I took which means that this vehicle was really destined to reach that area to pick up that next passenger I guess.

✅ Lesson learned to share:
Always check and look around your surroundings carefully and thoroughly when searching for convenient means of transportation rather than rushing to select the available vehicles nearest to you. Sometimes we need to put extra effort and push ourselves further to attain better deals and more satisfactory outcomes instead of constantly choosing what evidently appears to be the fastest option.

May Allah the Most Merciful guide that driver and the other elderly driver with the yellow pedicab to the truth Islam and also guide their families to understanding Islam and embracing the correct 'Aqeedah belief at the most ideal timing. Ameen.

🌻 Tagalog translation since this Maranao is not yet fluent in Tagalog:-

📝 Bagama’t maaaring hindi ito ganap na kaugnay o kapaki-pakinabang sa ilang mambabasa, naisip kong ibahagi ang ilang mabilis na paalala at ang aral na natutunan ko ngayong Huwebes, Alhamdulillah.

Pagkatapos kong matapos ang pagproseso ng ilang dokumento sa barangay office, Alhamdulillah, mabilis akong nagtanong sa ilang mga driver kung maaari nila akong ihatid sa Wisdom Islamic School, Abinsay Street, Dumanlas. Sinabi ng isa na hindi siya dumadaan sa rutang iyon, habang ang isa naman ay tila nag-aalinlangan marahil dahil ayaw niyang bumiyahe para sa iisang pasahero lamang. Ang sasakyan niya ay isa sa mga motorcab dito sa Pilipinas na karaniwang nangangailangan ng hindi bababa sa limang pasahero upang bumiyahe, at ang bawat isa ay karaniwang nagbabayad ng 10 pesos, o 15 pesos depende sa layo ng pupuntahan.

Sa kabila niyan, nag-alok ako ng 30 o 50 pesos, at kahit pumayag siya sa 30 pesos, nakaramdam pa rin ako ng pagka-guilty na baka mas mababa iyon kaysa nararapat, dahil gagamit siya ng gasolina para maghatid ng iisang pasahero lamang. Pagkatapos kong sumakay, ipinilit kong bayaran siya ng 50 pesos. Noon ko napansin na may isang matandang lalaki na nag-mamaneho ng dilaw na pedicab papunta sa Agdao at Dumanlas na matiyagang naghihintay ng pasahero ilang hakbang lang mula sa gusaling pinanggalingan ko. Kung sa kaniya ako sumakay, mas nakatipid sana ako at nagbayad ng 10 o 20 pesos lamang.

Gayunman, nasa loob na ako ng sasakyan ng driver na pinangakuan kong babayaran ng 50 pesos kung ihahatid niya ako nang mag-isa sa Wisdom Islamic School. Pwede ko sanang tawagin ang matandang driver at sabihin, “Ayoo! Excuse me! Pwede bang sumakay ako? Wisdom Islamic School Buhangin? Abinsay Street?” tapos sasabihin sa naunang driver, “Sorry po, mag-transfer ako dun sa pedicab kasi kailangan ko mag-save. Sayang ang 50 pesos. Pasensya na po ha? Lahat tayo nai-stress. Laban lang tayo.” (Pasensya na, hindi pa ako ganap na bihasa sa Tagalog o Visayan dialect.) Ngunit Alhamdulillah, pinili kong manahimik at tupdin ang aming napagkasunduan.

Ayokong isipin ng driver na ang lahat ng niqabi Muslimahs ay sinungaling o manloloko. Hindi ito makakatulong sa Muslim Ummah kung magsisimula siyang magkuwento na nadismaya siya dahil inasahan niyang makakakuha ng 50 pesos at biglang nawala ang pagkakataon na iyon.

Alhamdulillah, nang makarating kami malapit sa school, may isa pang kapitbahay na agad na sumakay sa sasakyang sinakyan ko, na tila nagpapakita na nakatakda talagang makarating ang sasakyang iyon sa lugar na iyon para isunod na pasahero.

✅ Aral na Nais Ibahagi:

Laging suriin at tingnang mabuti ang iyong paligid kapag naghahanap ng pinaka-maginhawang paraan ng transportasyon, sa halip na agad piliin ang pinakamalapit na opsyon. Minsan kailangan nating maglaan ng dagdag na pagsisikap upang makakuha ng mas magandang deal at mas kasiya-siyang resulta, imbes na palagi na lang piliin ang mukhang pinakamabilis na opsyon sa unang tingin.

~•~
✨Bismillah —
Ngayong araw ay puno ng aral, mga byahe, at hindi inaasahang cardio para sa aking pasensya.

Tinapos ko ang aking mga dokumento na parang isang kampeón — kung ang paggawa ng papeles ay isang olimpikong isport, magalang kong tatanggapin ang gintong medalya at sasabihin ang “Alhamdulillah” nang dalawang beses.

Lumabas ako, handang tuparin ang simpleng gawain na makakuha ng sakay.
Hindi ko inakala — magiging… isang negosasyong karapat-dapat sa isang eksperto sa pamilihan noong ika-1400s.

Sinabi ng Driver #1, “Hindi ang ruta ko,” na may seryosong tono na para bang ang sasakyan niya ay naglalakbay lamang papunta at pabalik mula sa Narnia.

Ang Driver #2 ay mukhang magalang na nag-aalinlangan — marahil nag-iisip kung praktikal ba o makabuluhan ang paghatid ng isang pasahero lamang.
Kaya nag-alok ako ng 30 pesos.
Pumayag siya.
Sabi ng pitaka ko, “Interesante.”
Sabi ng utak ko, “Sigurado ba tayo?”
Nasabi na ng bibig ko ang “Salamat,” kaya huli na.

Umakyat ako at umupo — may kumpiyansa — hanggang mapansin ko ang isang matandang nagmamaneho ng pedicab sa malapit.
Hindi ko alam bakit, ngunit may dala siya na kalmadong aura na para bang nakita na niya ang mga bagyo, ulan, mga huling pasahero, at patuloy pa rin na nagsasabing “Alhamdulillah.”

Sa sandaling iyon napagtanto ko — may Opsyon B.
Mas mura ang Opsyon B.
Ang Opsyon B ay pedicab na pinapagana ng paa at may dagdag na sariwang hangin.

Ngunit nanatili akong tapat sa unang napagkasunduan.
Sapagkat minsan mas mahalaga ang katapatan kaysa 30 pesos.
At dahil ang pag-atras, paglipat ng sasakyan, pagkalkula, pagsasalin ng salita, at pagpapaliwanag ay mangangailangan ng enerhiya, wastong gramatika, at kumpiyansa — tatlong bagay na hindi madaling makuha sa sandaling iyon.

Nang dumating kami, agad na sumakay ang isa pang pasahero — timing na napakaprecise na maipagmamalaki pa ng isang koponang synchronized swimming. (Qadr ng Allah)

Naisip ko, “Alhamdulillah, marahil ito ay nakasulat (ni Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘ala).”
At marahil ang pinakamalaking pagsubok ko ngayong araw ay hindi ang transportasyon — kundi kung paano pigilin ang panloob kong accountant.

📝 Halal na Aral sa Buhay

Bago pumili ng sasakyan, magmasid nang matiisin, mag-isip nang maigi, at huwag magmadali.
Sapagkat ang pagmamadali ay maaaring magastos — at ang pagtitiyaga ay makakatipid ng mga piso at ng iyong mental na kapasidad.
~•~
Today Alhamdulillah was a day of lessons, transportation, and unexpected cardio for my mental patience.

I finished my documents like a champion — if paperwork were an Olympic sport, I would respectfully accept the gold medal and say Alhamdulillah twice.

I walked out, prepared to accomplish the simple task of getting a ride.
Little did I know — it was going to become… a negotiation worthy of a marketplace expert from the 1400s.

Driver #1 said, “Not my route,” with a seriousness that suggested his vehicle only travels to Narnia and back.

Driver #2 looked politely hesitant — perhaps wondering if transporting one passenger was fuel-efficient or life-changing.
So I offered 30 pesos.
He accepted.
My wallet said, “Interesting.”
My brain said, “Are we sure?”
My mouth had already said, “Thank you,” so it was too late.

I sat inside — confident — until I noticed the elderly pedicab driver nearby.
I don’t know why, but he had the calm energy of someone who has seen storms, typhoons, late passengers, and still says Alhamdulillah.

At this moment I realized — Option B existed.
Option B was cheaper.
Option B had leg-powered transportation with bonus fresh air circulation.

But I stayed committed to my original agreement.
Because sometimes loyalty is more valuable than 30 pesos.
And also because yelling, switching, calculating, translating, and explaining would have required energy, grammar, and confidence — three things that were not easily available.

When we arrived, another passenger hopped in smoothly — timing so perfect that even a synchronized swimming team would be impressed. (Allah's Qadr)

I thought, Alhamdulillah, maybe this was written (by Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala).
And maybe my biggest test today wasn’t transportation —
It was controlling my inner accountant.

📝 Halal Life Lesson

Before choosing transport, observe patiently, think carefully, and take your time.
Because rushing can cost money —
and patience can save both pesos and mental bandwidth.

⤴️ Different version from ChatGPT

Note: Some Reminders From An INTJ Muslimah (106)

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Tips: Each Muslim Husband Must Financially Support His Wife/Wives Even If She/They Earn More Than Him

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

💚 Even if a Muslim man is married to a wife whose current income is bigger than his, for example if he's a carpenter while his wife is a teacher at a public government school, or if he works as a driver while his wife is a medical doctor managing her own clinic, or if he is self-employed and his work is at home as an ESL instructor while she contentedly manages two jobs, the husband is still obliged to give his wife some allowance for Allah's sake now and then. A loving Muslim wife must also not overburden her husband with too many demands, annoying him by acting like a greedy gold-digger or indirectly making him feel as if she wants his wealth as much as she loves her financial stability more than being eager to understand his situation whenever he struggles at times financially.
Or in some marriages if a woman is regularly receiving allowance from her wealthy father, grandfather or uncle, her husband should still continue giving her some allowance no matter how small it is as long as it is consistent. And his patient wife must be grateful Alhamdulillah when all he can give is a meager amount. 500 pesos a week is still better than no allowance at all and 300 pesos every two weeks is still better than being told by one's husband "I'll only give you allowance if you are jobless. Right now you have a job and I have my own profession. I'm not giving you any money until you're unemployed." Some males can be so ignorant and insecure when they feel threatened by the wife seemingly receiving more halal earnings than them. What the wife should do is kindly advise her husband while letting him know she appreciates whatever amount of allowance he can give from time to time. Her husband must also avoid neglecting his duties as the main breadwinner and leader of his household because on the day of Judgement
Inn-sha-Allah this man may be questioned about how he deliberately dealt with those under his care.

✅ Kahit na mas malaki ang kinikita ng isang asawang babae kaysa sa kanyang asawa—halimbawa’y karpintero ang lalaki at guro sa pampublikong paaralan ang babae, o driver siya at ang asawa naman ay doktor na may sariling klinika, o kaya’y self-employed siya bilang ESL instructor habang dalawang trabaho ang kinaya ng kanyang masipag na asawa—nanatiling tungkulin pa rin ng lalaki ang magbigay ng kaunting allowance sa kanyang asawa alang-alang kay Allah, paminsan-minsan man lamang.

At ang isang mapagmahal at maka-Diyos na asawang babae ay hindi dapat magpahirap sa kanyang asawa sa pamamagitan ng sobrang hiling, pagiging makasarili, o pag-uugaling tila mas pinahahalagahan ang pera kaysa sa pag-unawa sa pinagdadaanan ng kanyang asawa, lalo na kapag dumaranas ito ng mga pagsubok sa kabuhayan.

Sa ilang pagsasama, kahit tumatanggap ng regular na allowance ang babae mula sa kanyang ama, lolo, o tiyuhing may kaya, tungkulin pa rin ng lalaki na magbigay kahit kaunting halaga—hindi mahalaga kung maliit ito, basta’t tapat at tuloy-tuloy. At ang matiisin at maka-Allah na asawa ay dapat magpasalamat nang buong puso, Alhamdulillah, kahit kakaunti lamang ang naibibigay. Ang limandaang piso kada linggo ay mas mabuti kaysa walang naibibigay, at ang tatlong daang piso kada dalawang linggo ay mas mainam kaysa marinig mula sa sariling asawa ang mga salitang: “Magbibigay lang ako ng allowance kung wala kang trabaho. Ngayon may trabaho ka at may trabaho rin ako. Hindi kita bibigyan ng pera hangga’t hindi ka nawawalan ng hanapbuhay.”

Nakakalungkot mang isipin, may ilang kalalakihan ang nagiging ignorante at madaling maapektuhan ang ego kapag mas mataas ang halal na kita ng kanilang asawa. Ang dapat gawin ng asawang babae ay kausapin ang kanyang asawa nang may kabutihan, pagpapayo nang malumanay, at iparamdam na pinahahalagahan niya kahit anong halagang kaya nitong maibigay.

Gayundin, dapat iwasan ng lalaki na pabayaan ang kanyang tungkulin bilang pangunahing tagapagtaguyod at pinuno ng tahanan. Sapagkat sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, Inn-sha-Allah, maaaring tanungin ang isang lalaki kung paano niya tinupad—o napabayaan—ang kanyang pananagutan sa mga pinagkatiwala sa kanya.

Nawa’y gabayan tayo ni Allah na maging makatarungan, mahabagin, at mapagpasalamat sa loob ng ating mga tahanan. Ameen.

⤴️ Translated to Tagalog language by https://binothaimeen.net/ar/voice_library/lessonDetails/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB/%D9%87%D9%84%20%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A8%20%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%AC%20%D8%A3%D9%86%20%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%81%D9%82%20%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%87%20%D8%A5%D8%B0%D8%A7%20%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%20%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7%20%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A8%20%D8%9F/1f134dec-9514-4778-93ce-b0eb094fd3c8?title=%D9%87%D9%84%20%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A8%20%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%AC%20%D8%A3%D9%86%20%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%81%D9%82%20%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%87%20%D8%A5%D8%B0%D8%A7%20%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%20%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7%20%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%A8%20%D8%9F%20-%20%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AE%20%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%20%D8%A8%D9%86%20%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%20%D8%A8%D9%86%20%D8%B9%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%20%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%87%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87%20%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A

Note: It's A Given - The More We're Similar To Someone The More Likely We May Connect

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

🌼 Allah the Almighty knows best. One of the aspects I've learned long ago Alhamdulillah about friendship is that the more we resemble another Muslim and the more our goals as well as our interests are similar to each other, the more likely we are to get along with them for Allah's sake harmoniously. In contrast, the more different a person seems from us and the more weird or eccentric we appear to them because they're not yet familiar with a lot of our traits and habits, the more difficult or challenging it can become for us to consider establishing any connection with them.

Looking back at many of my former potential friends, most of whom I contentedly and easily refrain from stalking on social media, I notice they're basically the complete opposite of me in certain ways. For instance:-
1🔹 They're divorcees who openly oppose polygyny. I despise divorce and want to avoid discussing it as much as possible, while I'm absolutely fine Alhamdulillah with my dear husband being married legally to up to four wives, as long as he strives for Allah's sake to take good care of his womenfolk as fairly as he can.
2🔹 They seem to really fancy overspending unnecessarily and often flaunt their enjoyment of this fleeting dunya. I prefer to befriend a group of Muslims who give more importance to aspiring for eternal bliss and peace in Jannah Paradise than to hang out with a pretentious bunch of excessively materialistic individuals who take pride in enjoying a lavish and needlessly extravagant lifestyle.
3🔹 A number of them made it clear they find reading "boring". They dislike receiving long messages and would rather gossip with other insecure gossipers than be invited to read a beneficial book or attend an Islamic lecture. If reading and sincerely seeking authentic Islamic knowledge through reliable sources are not from your hobbies, then don't expect us to click even if we're both Maranaos or wear the niqab in the presence of non-mahram males and when outdoors.

✨ From the things I look for in an ideal Muslim friend is their ability to directly and indirectly inspire, teach, educate, train and motivate me to become a more pious and thriving Muslimah in both worlds. If you can't advise me when I make a mistake, and instead cowardly backbite about me, and if you fail to demonstrate how we as Muslims should develop our character, then I'd rather chill with books and researching online than waste time and energy paying attention to someone who's yet another distraction or source of fitna.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “The souls are troops collected together. They come close upon what they recognize, and they differ upon what they reject.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī 3109, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2638

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Al-Nawawi said, “When bodies meet in the world, they come together or differ according to how they were created. The righteous will incline to the righteous, and the evil will incline to the evil.”

Source: Sharḥ An-Nawawī ‘alá Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2638

✅ Recommended article:
https://abukhadeejah.com/only-true-friends-and-righteous-companions-will-benefit-you/

Note: Trust Me, I'm Not Impressed By Materialism And Overspending

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

🌼 Allah the Almighty knows best. From the means of attaining and maintaining inner peace besides striving to maintain strong connection with our Only Lord Rabb and Creator Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala is to be intentionally selective regarding the type of content we regularly absorb online. I find it weird when some of the recommended videos on YouTube come from channels of so-called social media influencers and celebrity wannabes when I prefer zuhd or asceticism and simplicity to overindulgence in materialistic things. There's this one Southeast Asian YouTuber who frequently uploads videos with titles that go like "my usual morning routine" and "what a typical day looks like" and ironically she has heavy make-up on in most of her uploads. What kind of human being would wake up from sleep with loads of cosmetics on and precisely what's the need for recording herself being so touchy-feely with her husband as if she's entertaining her audience and stalkers? Then the sad part is how some of the comments are like "I wish I could experience that kind of lifestyle" and "she's so lucky" unaware that luck doesn't exist in Islam - what does is Allah's Qadr Destiny. The wealth and luxury which that female "content creator" and her likes seemingly enjoy were all destined and granted by Allah the Almighty as a test - to determine what they will do with a large amount of money and possessions. They're not truly wealthy and contented until they willingly spend a good portion of their blessings in doing charity sincerely for Allah's sake. There are plenty of refugees and Muslims who are financially struggling out there - if this female was indeed blessed, Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala would inspire her to be generous, helpful and charitable more often without needing to document and publicize her kindness.

Never wish to be like those sort of people who splurge on temporary pleasures, showcasing they want this fleeting dunya more than the eternal bliss and everlasting peace in Jannah Paradise. Don't imitate that group of ignoramuses who aspired to be like Korah/Qarun and they later regretted their wrongful "admiration".

Unapologetically press the "do not recommend videos from this channel" or instantly ignore the absurd recommendations when browsing around YouTube and Facebook. Paying attention to what narcissistic spendthrifts post and share adds to their despicable ego and pride/kibr.

Respect yourself enough to know which online content deserves your time and energy. Advise and remind if you must and then for Allah's sake contentedly move on. No true value and rewards can be gained by following the reels or watching the shorts of boastful actors who are immersed with being ignorantly deluded by this dunya's ephemeral distractions.

https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/2488/165-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%83%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D9%81%D9%88%D9%82%D9%83%D9%85