بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
📑 Today Monday October 27 while waiting for my turn at the counter in the supermarket inside Abreeza Ayala Mall, the cashier was asking the elderly female nearby if she had any sort of card so she can avail some sort of discount. When the guy asked if she had Robinson's rewards card and she answered in the negative, I quickly offered the Robinson's card I had with me and hurriedly let her know it's okay. Whether she said thank you or not audibly, what took me aback a little was when she stared at my groceries, which is something I seldom do Alhamdulillah I avoid gazing at people's groceries nosily to respect their privacy and personal choices, and she asked me "oh are these for your sari-sari store?" in English language when she likely heard me speaking in English earlier.
And I confidently said something like "No, they're just for me... and my daughter." in a polite manner. And she simply went on her way. The sort of question she asked unexpectedly made me feel like she was assuming I had my own sari sari store which implies she's the type of person who is qualified to be described as "judgmental", unaware that Alhamdulillah I was born in Saudi Arabia, stayed there for several years until I was 20 and that perhaps I traveled to more countries than she may have visited in the past including United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Egypt, United States, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia etc. and she speculated I had my own sari sari store. Well, at least she didn't blurt out "oh my! Are you going to finish all that for your dinner or merienda? No wonder you look like you weigh 80 plus kilograms". If she said that though, I'd gladly respond with "oh? How many times have you been called 'judgmental' to your face? And behind your back?" or "oh? Have you always been so ignorant and judgmental?" Alhamdulillah we didn't converse further.
Then at the 7/11 store after paying, for the nth time, a salesperson called me "sir" without correcting themselves as if they were trying to get a reaction out of me but Alhamdulillah I just swiftly continued minding my own business because:
1. I was in a hurry to return to school that I didn't want to waste several minutes arguing with a stranger regarding addressing me with a more appropriate term. If the ignorant clown wants to call me "sir" then let them keep showcasing their ignorance.
2. I can imagine a number of customers pulling out their cellphones to record me scolding the cashier regarding calling me "sir" and I didn't want to be part of any silly drama.
3. I'm already too stressed and tired Alhamdulillah nowadays trying to solve various problems Alhamdulillah that I'm not interested in adding more reasons to be exhausted or worried.
🌻 Quick lessons to share with other Muslims:-
✅ Do everything sincerely for Allah's sake so we don't have to worry about feeling "unappreciated" or "taken for granted".
Be kind not to receive thanks, but show kindness purely to please Allah the Most Merciful and so
Inn-sha-Allah Allah the Most Loving can increase the barakah blessings in our lives in both worlds and elevate our status
Inn-sha-Allah in Jannah Paradise.
✅ Not all non-Muslims are unfriendly or intimidated by us Muslims. For instance, a few days before the October 10 double earthquake, I was queuing at Gaisano City Gate and this cute little girl tried to pull my hand so she can place my right hand to her forehead or something and I'm not sure if she said something like "Mano po?" almost similar to a Malay gesture I guess related to hand-pecking if I'm not mistaken. Anyhow I told her that I only do handshakes but she enthusiastically wanted to do that hand gesture thing which I thought was an adorable surprise coming from a complete stranger and her grandmother I assume didn't instruct her to stay away from me like some probably would.
✅ The more ego or kibr one has, the more the possibility of them getting offended easily. Another way to not get upset by the misconduct of some people is to recall that those individuals possibly didn't receive enough positive attention from their parents who failed to educate them about basic ethics and beautiful manners. Maybe their insecurities and dissatisfaction with themselves compel them to treat others rudely since they don't want to be the only ones in their proximity suffering emotionally. Alhamdulillah we're not like them in being ugly inwardly and morally obnoxious.
Alhamdulillah. May Allah the Most Merciful strengthen our faith Imaan, beautify our character always and guide us more to the actions which bring us closer to Jannatul Ferdaus with Allah's Mercy. Ameen.
✅ In Tagalog language with some modifications:-
🛒 “Akala Nila May Tindahan Ako (Pero Grocery Queen Lang Talaga Ako)”
📅 Lunes, October 27 — the day I learned na minsan, kahit tahimik ka lang, may ibang chapter ng teleserye sa ulo ng ibang tao tungkol sa’yo. 😅
Ayun, nasa Abreeza Mall ako, chill lang, waiting sa pila.
Si Lola sa unahan, tinanong ng cashier kung may Robinsons Card daw siya.
Wala daw.
So sabi ko, “Okay lang po, gamitin niyo na lang ‘tong card ko.”
Good deed of the day ✅
Points for me (Inn-sha-Allah)
(literal at spiritual).
Pero ayun na.
Bigla niya akong tiningnan mula ulo hanggang grocery cart — as in full scan, parang may x-ray vision si Lola — tapos sabi niya:
“Ah, para sa sari-sari store mo ‘yan?” 😐
Aba, napataas talaga kilay ko.
In my head: “Ma’am, grocery ko ‘to, hindi business venture.”
Pero kalmado ako, INTJ mode activated.
Sabi ko na lang politely, “Ah hindi po, para lang sa amin ng anak ko.”
Pero sa loob-loob ko:
“Wow, from Saudi to UK to France to 7-Eleven, tapos sari-sari store pala ending ko?” 😆
At least di niya sinabing, “Ang dami mo namang pagkain, kaya ka siguro 80 kilos.”
Kasi kung ganun, baka nakasagot ako ng very educational:
“Ma’am, ilang beses ka na pong tinawag na judgmental ngayong buwan?”
Pero Alhamdulillah, kalmado ako. Character development yan.
Pagkatapos non, pumunta ako sa 7-Eleven.
Pagbayad ko, sabi ng cashier,
“Thank you, sir.” 😩
‘Yung sir na parang may echo pa.
Sa isip ko: “Kuya, kahit bilog mukha ko, hindi ako sir.”
Pero syempre, tahimik ako.
Hindi ko kailangan ng eksena — baka may maglabas pa ng cellphone, “Viral! Customer vs. Cashier: The Clash!”
No thanks, gusto kong tahimik ang buhay ko, hindi trending.
🌻 Mga Realization ng Isang Pagod Pero Kalma Muslimah:
✅ Maging mabait kahit di pinapasalamatan.
Pang-Allah, hindi pang-like. 💖
✅ ‘Wag manghusga base sa grocery.
Baka ‘yung bumili ng 10 packs ng biscuits, nagre-review lang for life.
✅ Huwag palakihin ang mali ng iba.
Minsan, ‘yung rude, gutom lang o kulang sa tulog (o sa pagmamahal).
✅ Alhamdulillah sa self-control.
Masarap ‘yung tahimik na panalo — walang screenshot, walang drama.
✅ Character over chika.
Hindi lahat ng tahimik, mahina. Minsan, kalmado lang kasi self-disciplined.
Moral of the story:
Pumasok akong simpleng mamimili, lumabas akong walking lesson sa patience. 😌
Kaya next time na may magsabi sa’yo, “Ay, tindera ka?”
Ngumiti ka lang at sabihing,
“Hindi po, tindera ng good manners.”
Alhamdulillah for everyday tests —
‘Yung tipong pinapakita ng Allah kung gaano mo kayang ngumiti kahit gusto mo nang mag-commentary sa sarili mong sitcom. 😂
Ameen sa mga kalmadong may dangal at humor! 🌙✨
⤴️ Translated to Tagalog language by ChatGPT
May Allah the Almighty forgive us always, guide us to passing all His tests with patience and excellent outcomes and protect us in both worlds. Ameen.