Friends, which one is the real one?

How do we know who is our real friends and who is not? Here are some verses that helps us to know who are our REAL FRIENDS. Don't forget it is our responsibility to pick our friends well

[002:257] Allah is the friend and patron of those who believe. He brings them out of the depths of darkness into light. While those who do not believe, have the forces of evil as their friends; they lead them out of light, into the very depths of darkness. Such ones shall be the inmates of the fire. They will stay there forever.

[003:028] The believers should not take as friends the unbelievers in preference to the believers _ unless they sense (and suspect) harm (and harassment) from the unbelievers. Whoever does that shall have nothing from Allah at all. Allah cautions you to beware of Him! Towards Allah is your final destination.

[004:089] The hypocrites wish that you would reject faith just like they have. Then, you will (descend down to their level and) be equal to them. Therefore, do not choose them as friends unless they (emigrate and) leave their homes in the path of Allah. If they revert (to open hostility), then seize and slay them wherever you see them. Do not take them as friends or protectors, nor as helpers,

[005:057] Oh you who believe! Do not accept as your friends those who mock your faith and treat it as a joke, whether they are among those given the book before you (the Christians and the Jews), or other unbelievers. Fear Allah (exclusively) if you really are the believers.

[007:027] Oh children of Adam! Do not let Shaitan entice you as he did your (primordial) parents when he got them expelled from paradise. He stripped them of their clothes, in order to expose their nakedness to them. Of course, Shaitan and his tribe watch you from where you cannot see them. Of course, We let the Shaitans be the friends of those who do not believe.

[010:062] Beware! The friends of Allah shall have no fear; nor shall they ever grieve (or be sorry).

[060:009] But Allah forbids you to befriend those who fought against you over matters of faith, those who either assisted others in driving you out of your homes or drove you out themselves. Those of you who befriend them are indeed the evil doers.

[005:055] Your (real) friends are (no less than) God, His Apostle, and the (fellowship of) believers,- those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).

SAHIH MUSLIM, BOOK 1: The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman) Book 001, Number 0417:

'Amr b. 'As reported: I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) quite audibly and not secretly: Behold! the posterity of my fathers, that is, so and so, are not my friends. Verily Allah and the pious believers are my friends.

A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look at whom you befriend. ~Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee ~

"Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have Taqwah)." [43:67]

Money! Money! Money!

O Allah, increase the knowledge that benefit us!



We are muslims and we believe in Allah, once we have a sound eeman, Allah test us. We are asked to spend or sacrifice in the way of Allah.

ومثل الذين ينفقون اموالهم ابتغاء مرضاة الله وتثبيتا من انفسهم كمثل جنة بربوة اصابها وابل فاتت اكلها ضعفين 2:265 فان لم يصبها وابل فطل والله بما تعملون بصير

Translation Yusuf Ali:

002:265 And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please God and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not Heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. God seeth well whatever ye do.

If we spend in the way of Allah S.W.T. to please him, He will reward us here at the dunia and also in the hereafter. We must try to give the best of the things that we love most. Sometimes when there is a donation drive we always give the things that we don't want anymore, I think to give for the sake of Allah we should give the best that we have rather than the things that we don't want anymore.

[002:267] Oh you who believe, spend (in the path of Allah) the wholesome things you have earned, and the best of the products We bring out from the land for you. Do not pick out the worst and the worthless things to give in charity, which you would yourself accept _ if you do at all _ (reluctantly and) with disdain. Know it (for sure) that Allah is Self-sufficient and Praiseworthy (in His own right)!

Charity should not be done in a seasonal fashion. For example, Ramadan is coming up. Its a season when everyone race to do charity. I feel that this practice is not right. Charity should be done regularly as Allah command us to do it this following verses and in many other verses in the Quran:

[002:043] And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).


Even if we spend just a little, there will be big reward for us as we can see in the Quran al-Hadid verse 7. Allah promise us great rewards for our charity! Can you imagine, just by giving a little, you get big rewards from Allah. Anyone who have a sane mind will want this!

57:7امنوا بالله ورسوله وانفقوا مما جعلكم مستخلفين فيه فالذين امنوا منكم وانفقوا لهم اجر كبير

[057:007] Believe in God and His apostle, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward.

Also read the following verses:

[002:277] Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

[002:271] If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And God is well acquainted with what ye do.

See, just by giving charity, Allah will even get rid of some of our sins.

Everything between the Heaven and Earth belongs to Him. We are just given the amanah to take care of it. Why can't we just use it for charity? Can you imagine Allah gave it to us to take care and when He ask us to use what He have given us for charity. And when people ask for charity some of us still say no?

What stop us from giving/ spending in the Way of Allah S.W.T.?
Allah asked us un al-Hadid verse 10.

57:10 ومالكم الا تنفقوا في سبيل الله ولله ميراث السماوات والارض لايستوي منكم من انفق من قبل الفتح وقاتل اولئك اعظم درجة من الذين انفقوا من بعد وقاتلوا وكلا

وعد الله الحسني والله بما تعملون خبير

[057:010] What is the matter with you? Why do you not spend for the sake of Allah? The heritage of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah! Those of you who spent and fought for the sake of Allah prior to victory (at Makkah), are not equal to others. They are far more exalted in status than those who spent and fought after (victory). Yet, Allah has promised excellent rewards to both. Allah is well Aware of what you do!

The important lesson when we give charity is we have to give it with a sincere heart. We do it for the sake of Allah. We follow what Allah command us to do because who else knows best what is for us now in the dunia and there hereafter.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 547:

Narrated 'Adi bin Hatim:

The Prophet said, "There will be none among you but will be talked to by Allah on the Day of Resurrection, without there being an interpreter between him and Him (Allah) . He will look and see nothing ahead of him, and then he will look (again for the second time) in front of him, and the (Hell) Fire will confront him. So, whoever among you can save himself from the Fire, should do so even with one half of a date (to give in charity)."

Whenever I read the above hadith, it always remind me about my responsibility to do charity..... Even with half a date..... to save self from hell fire...

Also, if we can give loan for the sake of Allah S.W.T., we will be given double and many times back. This can be seen in the Quran in many places:-

[002:245] Who is he that will loan to God a beautiful loan, which God will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is God that giveth (you) Want or plenty, and to Him shall be your return.

[057:011] Who is he that will loan to God a beautiful loan? for (God) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal Reward.

[057:018] For those who give in Charity, men and women, and loan to God a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward.

[064:017] If ye loan to God, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness: for God is most Ready to appreciate (service), Most Forbearing,-
Imagine we will be given double of what we give in the way of Allah S.W.T., even loans! Its so easy. We just have to be sincere of our charity and loans in the Way of Allah S.W.T. and we will be rewarded and protected by Him.

[078:036] Compensation from your Lord, a bountiful and generous grant!


When we do charity, it must be with sincere heart. Don't later hurt other people by saying that we have help them so and so, we have done so and so and they owe us etc. If we do that, our charity will be for nothing. Its because our niat is not right. We can see from this verses:-

[002:264] Oh you who believe! Do not mar (and void) your charity by stressing your generosity, and by inflicting (emotional) abuse. Do not be like those who spend their wealth (in charity) solely to be seen _ (to gain public esteem).

[002:262] Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah _ (provided) they do not, afterwards, inflict abuse (on the recipients of charity) by bragging and boasting about their generosity _ shall have their reward with their Lord. They shall not have any fear, nor shall they ever grieve.

Remember ar Ahong (me), remember what we should do and what we should not do!

We are never enough of money and harta. There more we have the more responsibility and amanah by Allah are given to us in our hands. We can see it in this hadith:-

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah's Apostle said, "If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him."

This hadith above have been repeated so many during the times of the Prophet that many people thought that it was part of the Quran. Even in those days, our beloved Prophet Muhammad kept on remind us to remember akhirat as well, dont just remember dunia because the reward in the akhirat is very important. We will either end up in hell or heaven.
And it is after this hadith that Allah S.W.T. revealed to us the surah at-Takaathur verse 1-8. Let me share with u here:

102:1 سورة التكاثر بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ٛـــــــ الهاكم التكاثر
102:2 حتى زرتم المقابر
102:3 كلا سوف تعلمون
102:4 ثم كلا سوف تعلمون
102:5 كلا لو تعلمون علم اليقين
102:6 لترون الجحيم
102:7 ثم لترونها عين اليقين
102:8 ثم لتسألن يومئذ عن النعيم

Translation by Yusuf Ali:

[102:001] The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),

[102:002] Until ye visit the graves.

[102:003] But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).

[102:004] Again, ye soon shall know!

[102:005] Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)

[102:006] Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!

[102:007] Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!

[102:008] Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).




I hope and I pray that myself, the brother and sisters in Islam will remember the akhirat. We are muslims and both the dunia and akhirat are important. What we do at dunia will determine our place in the akhirat, wether we go the heaven or hell.

Its the end of the month, gaji sudah masuk and its megasale time. Just dont forget zakat and charity.

This is just a reminder to myself.
Money!money!money! = Charity!charity!charity!

Non-Muslim

Assalamualaikum, dipetik dari berita harian 14/7/09, ruangan agama. Ingin saya kongsikan perbezaan persepsi orang Muslim di Malaysia dengan orang Muslim di tempat lain tentang orang yang non-Muslim. Lagi satu saya minta diri saya dan saudara saudari untuk berhati-hati apabila mengunakan perkataan 'kafir' apabila merujuk orang bukan Muslim. Perkataan kafir hanya boleh digunakan dengan merujuk kepada non-Muslim yang menolak Islam setelah mengetahui dan mempelajari Islam yang sebenar. Orang non-Muslim di Malaysia kebanyakkannya tidak tahu tentang Islam kerana kelemahan dan kegagalan kita dalam da'wah. Oleh yang demikian saya minta jangan gunakan perkataan ini sesuka hati.

Oleh: Hasliza Hassan
Elak fahaman silap atau penderaan agama demi untuk memperbaiki budaya

APABILA berlaku kecaman terhadap Islam atau salah faham mengenai ajarannya, kita selalu meminta supaya bukan Islam atau pihak yang berpandangan negatif untuk cuba memahami serta mendapatkan maklumat yang betul mengenai Islam.

Namun, adakah kita pernah cuba memahami atau belajar daripada mereka dalam usaha menjalinkan hubungan dengan bukan Islam sebagai cara mengelak berlakunya salah faham atau persepsi negatif terhadap Islam dan umatnya.

Tepuk dada tanya diri, kerana hakikat itu tidak boleh dinafikan kata Imam Persatuan Masyarakat Islam di Greater Oklahoma City, Suhaib Webb pada ceramahnya berjudul` Kita Semua Adalah Anak Adam' anjuran Muslim Professionals Forum di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.
Beliau yang kini melanjutkan pengajian dalam bidang syariah di Universiti al-Azhar Mesir berkata, adalah bahaya kerana sekarang ia persepsi mengenai Islam boleh dibuat daripada maklumat diperoleh melalui internet.

Justeru katanya, salah satu cara untuk mengubah persepsi serta menjelaskan mengenai Islam ialah melalui gerakan antara agama bukan saja mengajak bukan Islam mengenali Islam, orang Islam juga menjalinkan hubungan baik dengan bukan Islam.

Pada masa sama, umat Islam bukan saja perlu menunjukkan Islam sebenar melalui cara hidup mereka malah, mendalami Islam kerana banyak tanggapan serong dilemparkan terhadap Islam dan penganutnya disebabkan sikap mereka sendiri.
"Seorang rakan saya yang bukan Islam berjaya membaca terjemahan al-Quran dalam bahasa Inggeris selama dua minggu. Kemudian dia tanya mana al-Quran yang kedua dan saya tanya kembali kenapa dia bertanyakan al-Quran yang kedua pula.

"Katanya, Muhammad yang disebut dalam al-Quran tidak sama dengan Muslim di luar sana. Dan jangan terkejut juga apabila anda berjumpa dengan bukan Islam yang bukan saja kenal ilmuwan Islam malah tahu karya dihasilkan cendekiawan itu," katanya.

Beliau juga menyelar sikap umat Islam yang dengan mudah suka mengkafirkan atau mengatakan orang lain kafir kerana tiada siapa boleh melabelkan seseorang itu kafir melainkan hakim dengan sebab serta alasan tertentu.

Katanya, dalam al-Quran juga hanya dua kali menyebut 'wahai orang kafir' yang dikaitkan dengan aspek kepercayaan tetapi dalam banyak perkara, Allah menyebut 'wahai orang beriman, wahai manusia atau wahai ahli kitab'.
Berkongsi kisah hidup bersama ibu yang tidak memeluk Islam, Suhaib berkata, adakalanya fahaman bukan Islam mengenai Islam serta ajarannya lebih baik berbanding umat Islam sendiri. Oleh itu, katanya, tidak boleh sewenang-wenangnya menuduh seseorang itu kafir.

"Jangan jadikan perkataan kafir satu perkataan yang biasa. Saya orang Islam, awak orang kafir. Mereka adalah orang yang tinggal dengan kita dan orang yang berada di sekeliling kita. Emak saya selalu membangunkan untuk solat Subuh dan emak saya tidak memeluk Islam.

"Malah, kalau saya balik lambat dan sudah masuk waktu solat Maghrib, dia yang akan marah. Emak saya bukan Islam tetapi menderma kepada orang Islam. Saya boleh katakan emak saya lebih Islam daripada orang Islam," katanya.

Beliau menyarankan umat Islam berpegang kepada firman Allah yang menyeru manusia berkenal-kenalan supaya mereka boleh memahami serta mempelajari antara satu sama lain kerana cara itu lebih baik.

Suhaib juga mengingatkan umat Islam menjaga hubungan persaudaraan bukan saja sesama umat Islam, juga dengan bukan Islam kerana tanpa semangat bersatu padu itu, umat Islam tidak akan stabil dan iman menjadi lemah.

Beliau mengaitkan apa yang disarankan ajaran Islam supaya umatnya berbuat baik dan itu tidak dihadkan kepada orang Islam saja kerana Allah tidak menghalang umat Islam berbuat baik kepada bukan Islam.

"Nabi Ibrahim bagi salam kepada bapa baginda yang tidak beriman tetapi kita hari ini sibuk memikirkan boleh atau tidak memberi salam kepada bukan Islam. Pemahaman salah terhadap agama Islam itu menyebabkan apa yang kita katakan 'membuli teologi'.

"Remaja di Kuala Lumpur tidak akan mencari saya jika mereka melakukan kesalahan tetapi jika mereka ada masalah, mereka cari orang lain atau rakan sebaya supaya tidak ada rasa takut. Ia kerana mereka takut untuk berjumpa imam disebabkan penderaan terhadap agama itulah," katanya.

Katanya, membuli agama ialah menjadikan orang lain takut kepada ajaran Islam disebabkan sikap tegas tidak bertempat hingga tercipta masalah melampau terhadap agama bukan memperbetulkan salah anggap kepada agama.

Suhaib berkata, 40 peratus rakyat Amerika Syarikat mengatakan mereka takutkan orang Islam dan dapat difahami wujudnya kumpulan itu kerana mereka tidak mengenali Islam serta umatnya atau mengenali Islam daripada pandangan mata kasar saja.

"Apa orang bukan Islam kata mengenai sindrom jihad mendadak (pengebom berani mati) ialah jika semua umat Islam terkena penyakit itu, semua orang bukan Islam akan mati. Bayangkan juga jika mereka terbaca ayat bahawa orang Islam akan lawan hingga orang itu mengucap syahadah.

"Oleh itu, kena faham akidah bukan siapa saya dan siapa yang saya tidak. Kita sibuk fikir sama ada Allah ada tangan atau Allah ketawa tak, tetapi gagal untuk menjadi Muslim sebenarnya. Di Miami, setiap Jumaat orang Islam beri makanan kepada mereka yang tidak berumah termasuk bukan Islam.

"Elakkan fahaman salah atau penderaan terhadap agama Islam kerana Islam tidak datang untuk memusnahkan budaya tetapi memperbaikinya menjadi lebih baik. Jadi, lakukan penilaian semula kerana Nabi Muhammad kata, jangan biarkan mereka jauh, tarik mereka," katanya.

Solatku betui ka?

'Susah tak quiz?', aku tanya pada para pelajarku. Ada yang menjawab senang dan ada yang menjawab susah. Pada aku rata-rata mereka ini adalah pelajar yang baik. Tiba-tiba tergerak hatiku untuk bertanya kepada mereka.

'Nak tengok tak cara orang Yahudi solat?'
'Nak!', cepat sahaja mereka jawab, mungkin kerana ingin berehat setelah quiz yang agak sukar.

Aku pun buka laptop dan pancarkan satu video orang yahudi solat. Yang menariknya mereka agak terkejut kerana orang Yahudi ini solat dengan adanya duduk, takbir, sujud dan salam.

'Ni la cara orang Yahudi solat. Ini adalah cara solat yang paling lama yang ada didokumenkan, orang yahudi sekarang pula banyak buat yang lain macam tunduk2 kat 'wailing wall'.'

'Sir ada satu soalan nak tanyala, sir nak tau kamu rasa cara kamu solat itu betul atau mungkin kamu sendiri tak tahu atau tak pasti?' Aku bertanya pada para pelajarku ini sebab setiap kali solat pasti akan lihat macam-macam stail dan gaya. Ada yang pelik pun ada. Ada yang setiap rakaat takbir. Ada yang bila takbir angkat tangan separuh aje. Ada yang baca kuat-kuat.'

Pelajarku diam dan menunggu jawapan dan peneranganku.

'Sir rasa kamu kena rujuk balik cara solat la, sebab kalau kamu tak pasti maka macamana selama ni kamu solat? Takkan la main hentam keromo aja. Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. mengajar kita cara solat yang sempurna. Baginda memberitahu kita untuk solat sebagaimana dia solat dan ini termasuklah wuduk, gerakan dalam solat, bacaan dalam solat dan doa selepas solat.'

Seorang pelajar berkata,'Betul la sir kata sebab saya pernah nampak orang takbir setiap rakaat. Bukankah takbir hanya bila nak mula solat da setelah duduk tahhiyat?'

'Betul tu. Nanti ada masa buatlah rujukan balik na, sir taknak kamu just ikut aje apa orang cakap. Sir nak kamu mengkaji agama. Baiklah kita henti di sini shj hari ini, jumpa lagi minggu depan. Salam'

Mungkin tidak banyak yang sempat dikongsi dalam kelas tapi aku harap mereka akan mula mengkaji Islam. Aku harap mereka dapat melihat kecantikan Islam sebagaimana aku lihat.