The term “top” is defined as being above other lines or at a higher level than those below. This accounts for the most frequent list of other things that you note down. Therefore, the top represents what you consider the most frequent as a favorite, but in a more prominent position than others, while “favorite” refers to what you like or do most often.
According to the dictionary on cambridge.com, pet peeves are defined as things that particularly annoy you. An example given is that weak coffee is one of my pet peeves. Now I need to think about which ones truly irritate me the most. I believe the three that bother me the most are as follows:
Observing other people engage in bad behavior, such as committing immoral acts. This can lead to significant trouble either for me or the individuals nearby who coexist with those people, particularly within the surrounding community. In some khutbahs, it has been stated that whenever evil is seen, a Muslim should attempt to prevent it, whether by hand, tongue, or heart. This belief is deeply rooted in what I have witnessed, especially when I see someone nearby who continuously engages in these immoral actions, leading me into difficulties because being around him makes me feel wrong or evil. Some factors that make me classify him as a bad person include the times when I speak loudly to these individuals or frequently remind them of their actions and that they should not repeat them.
The second thing that frustrates me is when I observe my brother neglecting his prayers, especially since he is Muslim and lives close by. It bothers me to see him praying late or sometimes not praying at all. I had a younger brother who did this, and I would get angry with him, often speaking loudly, but over time, I learned to remain calm and kept reminding him to pray whenever I saw him at home or outside. Being his brother has made me more committed to this task, and it has become obligatory.
The final thing that annoys me deeply is my brother going out at night and returning late. This situation often angers and bothers me immensely since he spends a lot of time hanging out with his friends at night, likely wasting time doing nothing or engaging in meaningless activities. I have talked to him about not going out at night and wasting time with friends, as it feels pointless when he always disregards my advice. I focus on reminding him to pray, especially before he meets up with friends. What frustrates me further is that sometimes I get woken up late at night when he comes home, and I only manage to sleep after waking up while some of us are already awake in the morning, where he spends most of the time sleeping until noon.
This explains why I feel so annoyed by this type of behavior, for obvious reasons. I strive to remain patient during times of distress so that things do not escalate too much, keeping my composure. The Quran also states that, as an interpretation, Allah is with those who are patient constantly. I always try to manage my anger as I grow older; I cannot remain upset over trivial matters when those individuals do not follow through on their responsibilities. I welcome your thoughts in the comments regarding my situation and behavior.
I’m Isnizal Z, a writer and lifelong learner based in somewhere warm, peaceful, and full of stories. Through daily prompts and personal insights, I share honest reflections on productivity, mindset, and the art of showing up. This blog is my digital journal—sometimes messy, always meaningful
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