Note: Have Enough Integrity To Keep Secrets

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Imagine a Muslim non-mahram who works at the same company or school as you, and he sends you several flirty text messages after discovering your account on social media.
There are different ways of reacting to this situation among which are: 

A] You angrily respond in a way to let him know you're not interested in chatting with him. Then you block him, forgetting the fact he can always stalk your public posts with another account.

B] You leave his flirtatious messages on seen mode and don't bother answering. 

C] You answer his salaams and include a Du'a, praying to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala that He provides this guy with a pious Muslim wife at the most befitting time.

After you've responded in the manner which you think is most suitable for your condition, you can either tell some close friends about the silly action which so-and-so did, clearly stating his name so they're all aware of who he is, or you conceal his mistake and for Allah's sake protect his identity so he doesn't have to deal with rumors, regret and embarrassment, simultaneously hoping he does Tawbah Inn-sha-Allah someday.

It takes a really strong Muslim whom Allah blesses with patience and good character to be able to keep the secrets and hide the mistakes of others. When a friend confides in with you a "juicy secret" that has high chances of going viral through revealing it to gossipy individuals, realize your faith/Imaan is being tested by Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala Who sees every move you make. To pass this kind of examination, discipline yourself, suppress the urge to forward that secret to outsiders who aren't supposed to know about it, and put yourself in their shoes. If you're not okay with your own flaws, confessions and embarrassing stories being spread around, why would you want others' secrets to be exposed if doing so doesn't help anyone but lead to further trouble?

Examples of secrets that a Muslim may likely inform you, if they trust you enough include:

1] Their temporary feelings of attraction towards someone you're both acquainted with.

2] A dream that bothers them and they seek your advice, insight or explanation.

3] Something wrong they've done previously but don't do anymore.

4] A weakness of theirs or their struggle with a certain type of insecurity.

5] How their first romantic night with their spouse went, and they're curious of how you'll react.

Although it is inadvisable to reveal your secrets to anyone with a mouth that can transmit news and information, sometimes you may encounter somebody who considers you as a close friend and they feel comfortable enough to disclose very personal details. Remember to practice self-restraint, with Sabr and Taqwa, when a Muslim entrusts you with a secret, not announcing it to others, even if you and that Muslim may no longer be in contact in the future.

~*~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu ‘anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A servant does not cover the faults of another servant in the world but that Allah will cover his faults on the Day of Resurrection."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2590

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Hadith: Virtues Of Honesty In Trade And Business

📖 Jabir RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when selling, buying, and seeking repayment."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1970
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
📖 Abdullah ibn Umar RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, said, "Whoever takes up arms against us is not one of us."
In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever deceives us is not one of us."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6659, Sahih Muslim 98
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "May Allah bring happiness to one who hears my words, such that he understands it, memorizes it, and conveys it. Perhaps he will carry understanding to one who has more understanding than he does. Three traits never deceive the heart of a Muslim: Sincere deeds for Allah, goodwill to the leaders of the Muslims, and keeping to their community. Verily, the call to Islam is protected behind them."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2658
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Ibn Hajar
📖 Hakim ibn Hizam RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it, as long as they have not separated. If they are truthful and clear with one another, there is blessing in their transaction. If they lie and conceal something, the blessing of their transaction will be eliminated."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1973, Sahih Muslim 1532
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Abu Sa’eed RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The honest and trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 1209
Grade: Sahih li ghayrihi (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: How To Deal With People Who Hate Us

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Five things to do when you sense or realize some people dislike you:
1] Remember our main purpose in life is to serve and worship Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, not His servants. So long as we're loved by Allah the Most Merciful, we can survive confidently and patiently despite being hated by a number of individuals.
2] Instead of questioning your self-worth and wondering what is it about you that makes you unlikable, put yourself in those haters' shoes and imagine you're in their situation. Either your positive qualities make them feel insecure so they try to bring you down to pacify their wounded emotions, or your accomplishments and blessings that Allah the Most Wise chose to give are what cause them to get jealously threatened. Feel sorry for their insecurities and move on with rewarding patience.
3] Be honest. Is there anything about them that you genuinely admire or does their presence helpfully increase the levels of your faith/Imaan? If yes, then don't bother hating them back, especially if shaytan is your common enemy. If no, there's nothing pleasant about them or they can't add any value to your life, then don't be awfully affected by their negative energy.
Prioritize sincerely striving to gain Allah's Love and don't be afraid of people's enmity.
4] Count the numerous blessings that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala granted you and continue expressing gratitude for them. Example: You can read and understand a lot of Arabic words, you're guided to discover and implement authentic Islamic knowledge, and you are married to a hardworking spouse who lovingly understands you.
5] Forget about those whose personalities, goals and interests conflict with yours. Unfollow, unfriend and don't bother dealing with people who constantly doubt your niyyah or who invent unfair delusions and erroneous assumptions about you only to ease the burden of their undeniable jealousy.
Gladly divert your attention to strengthening your connection with Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and enhancing your bond with those whom He loves from among the pious with pure hearts, those striving believers who are free from evil traits like envy, suspicion and dissatisfaction with Allah's Qadr/Decree.
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu ‘anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.’ Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills.” Verily, the  phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2664
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Note: Stay Steadfast During Times Of Fitna

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Yet again another so-called "hijabi influencer" decided to abandon the hijab despite managing a "hijab business" after YouTuber Dina Tokio publicly announced her decision to stop wearing hijab some time ago. I find it very strange how she didn't say salaam or mention Allah's Name anywhere in her announcement video. I stumbled upon this through another YouTuber's channel giving out a public caution to Amena for discarding the hijab.
My advice to myself and other Muslims is to:
1) Steadfastly seek authentic Islamic knowledge for Allah's sake and implement whatever you have learned about Islam.
2) No matter how many times you've sinned, neglected some duties as a Muslim, or carried out some obligations in an improper manner, never quit seeking Allah's Forgiveness. When at times you get overcome by your nafs, defeat it and bring it back to its senses by saying lots of Istighfaar and Du'as, praying to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala to grant you steadfastness, sincerity and strength to persevere upon Allah's Way. Compensate shortcomings by praying more Sunnah prayers like Salat Ad-Duha in the forenoon and Qiyaam Al-Layl Tahajjud in the last third of each evening.
3) Never emotionally attach yourself to any human being, particularly someone who eagerly seeks to be famous. Purposely doing things to achieve fame and amass large numbers of "followers", "fans" or subscribers, can ultimately lead to destruction.
4) When you notice a YouTuber or celebrity declaring they no longer want to do a good deed e.g. a "hijabi fashionista" deciding to model without the hijab, or a "celebrity sheikh" who announces his choice to be an "ex-Muslim", your initial response shouldn't be to copy them out of misguided loyalty but to remain true to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and patiently maintain your Islam, faith/Imaan and good values even if that individual has dozens of puppets following their wrong ways.
5) In times of rising fitna, be carefully selective concerning your selection of close friends, the online content you frequently expose yourself to, the type of status updates and comments you post, the Facebook pages you follow, and the Muslims from whom you derive Islamic lessons and inspiration.
Understand that sometimes what appears to be real on the outside may conceal significant truths that linger behind the scenes. Remember that during the time of the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam there were groups of hypocrites (munaafiqeen and munaafiqaat) who plotted against Muslims whilst they were among the Muslim community. It is possible for any polytheist, atheist and unbeliever to dress as Muslims are expected to while they make numerous efforts to create fitna and chaos among Muslims, whether they start an evil trend on social media or they try their utmost to divide the Muslim Ummah through inventing false news or events that can stir up drama.
Those who pretend to be Muslims while carrying disbelief in their hearts are among the inhabitants of Hell that are most severely chastised. They have the opportunity to interact with Muslims and attend their lectures yet on the inside they're extremely hateful towards anyone who believes in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and Islam. This is why we can't instantly trust any person simply because they claim to be Muslims.
Day and night make it a habit to say "Allahumma yaa Muqallib al-quloob thabbit qalbi 'alaa Deenik. (O' Allah Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion. Ameen.)"
📖 Abdullah ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: We were gathered around the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam while he mentioned tribulations (trials/fitan), saying, "If you see that people have disordered their commitments, diminished their trusts, and are as jumbled as this," and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam interlaced his fingers. I stood to come near him and I said, “How should I act if that happens?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Stay in your house, control your tongue, accept what you know is good, reject what you know is evil, take care of your affairs specifically and abandon the affairs of the common people."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4343
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut