Self Worth

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 Self-Worth

In Islam, people often repeat the saying “bukak bungkusan manisan, habis hilang saham wanita itu.” But is that really true? In my view, it isn’t. Even if the “wrapping” is open, there will always be people who value and cherish that woman. So the real question is this: does a person’s worth come from the wrapping, or from who she truly is?

If someone only cares about the wrapping, then whatever comes after is predictable and shallow. But if someone values character, kindness, intelligence, and compatibility, then the wrapping becomes secondary. A relationship built on sincerity and personality will always outlast one built on appearances.

That is why loyalty matters most. Loyalty means that even when no one is watching, I still stand by you. Loyalty is rare — especially today, when betrayal is treated like entertainment and backstabbing is almost fashionable. Popular culture, from films like Mean Girls to social media trends, normalises this behaviour. However, at the end of the day, loyalty is what distinguishes genuine relationships from fleeting ones.

At the end of the day, all of this comes down to one simple question: what kind of society do we want to be? Not a society that blindly agrees with everything, and not one that abandons its principles — but one that treats people with basic dignity, even when we don’t fully understand them. We don’t need to be pro‑anything to recognise that humanity is bigger than labels, and respect is bigger than fear. If we can hold on to loyalty, sincerity, and compassion in a world that celebrates betrayal and judgment, then maybe we can finally stand on the right side of our own values.


Co-written with Microsoft Copilot.

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