Khulafa'ur Rasyidin (Rightly Guided Caliphs) and the poor people

At Khulafa'ur Rasyidin era (first four caliph), the companions of the Prophet Mohammed PBUH and his followers strive to do good by helping people in need. Abu Bakr Ash-Shidiq and Umar bin Khatab are those who vigorously compete in good deeds.
Abu Bakr
This event is happening at the time of Abu Bakr. At that time, Umar observe what is done by Abu Bakr, Then Umar doing good deeds such as those undertaken by the Abu Bakr.
One day, Umar was watching Abu Bakr Ash at dawn. When Abu Bakr went to the outskirts of the city of Medina after the Fajr prayers, Abu Bakr came to a small hut for a few seconds, then Abu Bakr returned to his house. Umar did not know what is in the hut, and what was happened there. Umar knew almost all the good done by Abu Bakr, unless the secrets of the business of the hut.
The days continue to pass. Abu Bakr Ash-Shidiq visited the little hut everyday. Umar did not know what Abu Bakr had done there. Finally, Umar decided to enter the hut immediately after Abu Bakr left the hut. Umar wanted to see what is in the hut with his own eyes. He wanted to know what his friends had done there.
When He came into the little hut, Umar saw a poor old lady and the lady was unable to move. The old lady was also blind. Nothing in the small hut. Umar stumped when viewing the contents of the hut. He wanted to know what was the relationship between an old lady and with Abu Bakr.
Umar asked, "What does the man (Abu Bakr) do here?". An old lady replied, "By Allah, I do not know the man, O my son. Every morning, he came, and swept my house and clean my house. He prepared some food for me. Then he left without speaking to me. "
Umar bend his knees, he cried. And he said the famous words, " You really made the leaders (after you) hard (to follow your good character), O Abu Bakr "
Umar bin Khatab
Umar bin Khatab, the Commander of the Faithful, married Umm Kulthum bin Ali. One day, he went from house to see directly his people. He met a man who sat with sorrow and anxiety at the door of the mosque. Umar asked, "What's wrong with you?" The man replied, "My wife is giving birth, but we do not have any and no one with her.". Umar wanted to know his house. Then the man pointed a tent on the outskirts of the city of Medina. Umar approached his wife, Umm Kulthum, saying, "Will you get good thing that God (will) send to you?" His wife asked, "What is it?" Umar explained, "A woman will give birth and there is no one accompanying her. His wife replied, "Allright."
Umar took the flour, butter and dry milk. He set off, followed by his wife. When they reached the tent, Umar shouted, “Occupants of this tent!." The man came out. Umar asked his wife to meet her, then he cooked flour, butter and dry milk. Umar put all those food stuff on the stove. He lit a fire and cooking the food. When the food had not already cooked, but the baby’s cries were heard from inside the tent. Umm Kulthum voice followed, "Leader of the believers, would you tell a good news to your friend, her firstborn was male." After the man was told the good news, the man was surprised. He said, "We have been troublesome and tiring the Commander of the Faithful."
Umar said, "It’s not a big deal. Will you come to us, tomorrow morning? We will give you what you need for your family. "The next day, the man came. Umar gave the man a camel and a full load of food in the back of the camel. The man was happy and grateful to the Commander of the Faithful.

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Reading should become a habit a Muslim

Read! (or proclaim!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Read! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,- He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not. (Quran, Surah al-Alaq: 1-5)


The meaning of the command "Iqra" (“read”)
Ibn Kathir explains the purpose of the above verse as follows:
"And indeed, among the mercy of God is teaching something that was unknown to mankind. So God elevate and glorify the human dignity through sciences. The glory is only given to human ancestor, Adam, that distinguishes humans from angels."

The command to read in the verse "Iqra '" do not mention its object. In grammar, this indicates that the command to read is not limited to a particular object, but reading everything from the verses of God, both expressed or implied, either in the form of His creation or in the form of Kitab al-Quran.
Why do we need to read?
Reading mean not just spell the words. Reading in a broad sense means: to make observations through the senses, to think through reason, to take lessons through the heart as well as receiving and believing the truth of what was spoken by God through His prophet. If so, it is very natural that reading is one of the center of attention of God, so that orders be placed as the first revelation to do by the Prophet and his followers, because the habit of reading has a very important role in human life. Among them are:
First; reading is human nature.
Reading in terms of understanding the phenomena that surround humans have been done by humans since the first moment of his birth, when a baby is born into the world, from his mother's womb and face the new environment. Baby's skin started to sense the temperature that is different from before, the baby's nose breathe fresh air, and the baby's ears faintly hear voices. All of the reading process is carried out by the baby. Activity will continue to evolve throughout his life.
“It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that ye may give thanks (to Allah.). (Quran; Surah An-Nahl [16]: 78)
Second, the habit of reading make people understand the reality.
People who is destined to be born in a state of blind, then he will never understand the concept of color. All colors are the same for them. Likewise, if people do not use the senses, reason, thought and conscience to get the truth, then he would never understand it. And if humans are not able to understand, then he is no better than animals
“Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning). “( Quran, Surah al-A'raf [7]: 179)
Third: The habit of reading makes people are capable of distinguishing (which is good or bad).
Through the senses, mind, heart and revelation, human beings have the ability to distinguish the right one from wrong, the true from the false, the good from the bad, etc..
"That He might justify Truth and prove Falsehood false, distasteful though it be to those in guilt. (Quran; Surah al-Anfal [8]: 8)
Fourth, habit of reading make the man be able to make the right decision.
Someone who had no knowledge, then he will not be able to take a decision promptly and correctly. If a person acts based on wrong information, then he will take the wrong action.
If people take a decision without proper and sufficient information, then the decision is speculation. So their decision might be wrong and might be right. Correct decisions only obtained from information that is also true.
Humans must obtain the correct information from the source of the most true so that humans do not get lost in the speculative life. The information come from Allah and his messenger.
"The Truth is from thy Lord; so be not at all in doubt." (Quran; Surah Al-Baqarah [2]: 147).
Hopefully we can become people who can "read".

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Islamic unity is built from a good family relationships

Problems of property, inheritance and even differences in beliefs (madhhab, or organization) is often the trigger of the feud between family members. Thus, as a result of these differences, a parent with a child, brother and sister or between family members become separated, not greeted each other, and not caring. This social phenomenon should be a reflection for us, because the relationship is correlated with one's faith and also with the future of Islam.
Family is one part of the community. The integrity of a family, is a major contribution to the realization of a strong Muslim community, and the unity of Muslims (Muslim brotherhood). Prophet Muhammad pbuh was reminded of this issue through the verses of the Qur'an and as-Sunnah. He preached about the dangers of disconnecting from the family.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is seriously threatening the people who break family ties. In verses 22-23 the letter Muhammad, Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala convict people who break family ties as the damned, their ears are deafened and their sight are blinded.
This means that good advice will not be heard by the ear and will not penetrated into their hearts. They are also difficult to see the truth (al-Haq) even though the truth is in front of their eyes.
In another verse, Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala also gives the title to people who break family ties as a wicked and losers (Quran, Surah al-Baqarah 26-27), cursed and became inhabitants of jahannam hell (Quran, Surah al-Ra'd 25). Threats in the Qur'an was later corroborated by the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.: "People who break family ties do not go to heaven." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
The assertion of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh hadith shows that the threat of Allah against those who break family ties is really serious.
Thus, the relationship is related to one's faith. Hospitality is one of the identity of a believer. A believer always maintain familiarity with the family and when family relationships were severed, he immediately connect the family ties and held a reconciliation. Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, then he should connect the relationship with his family." (Narrated by Bukhari).
Therefore, the punishment for those who break the family ties are very heavy. Punishment is not only in the hereafter but also inflicted since the person is still alive in the world, because the severance of family ties (intentional) is one of the major sins. In fact, the sin that has implications for the people around him.
Rasulullah SAW said: "Verily, Rahmat (mercy of Allah) was not revealed to people who are among those people there is someone who break family ties." (Narrated by Bukhari).
This Hadith shows that the sins of the people who break family ties also bad (the removal of God's grace) to those who live around people who break family ties.
Feuding brothers who are separated and are usually caused by the seizure of property, inheritance, jealousy, and personal matter. Conflicts in these problems is very common and often sound to our ears.
In addition to factors already mentioned above, there are other factors that recently became a new phenomenon. Differences in beliefs or Islamic organizations, and parties sometimes be a trigger of conflict among family or among community members - in some cases, such conflicts are difficult to reconcile.
Someone who has been steeped new beliefs, trying to spread that belief to the person or relatives nearby. While other family members who hold the traditions will not easily let go of that tradition. So, if we do not understand each other, conflicts will occur between relatives. From these differences, miss communication with family members is common. The difference is stratified. Levels of conflict also depends on the level of difference.
Family breakdown has also been experienced by the prophet Noah pbuh with his son, Qan'aan. When Noah pbuh and the other three sons of Noah (Sam, Ham, Jafits) and their followers are already inside the ship, because the flood occurred, Qan'aan who disbelieve say no to Noah pbuh for boarding the ship. "I will seek refuge in the mountains that can keep me out of the flood" said Qan'aan.
Due to refuse an invitation from his father, he was drowned by God and slammed by the flood and along with the infidels. Prophet Noah pbuh was greatly saddened by this tragedy, and cried "Oh God, he is my son". But what does God answer? "O Noah, verily he is not including your family, verily his deeds (Qan'an) is a bad deed." (Quran, Surah Hud: 45).
Got the answer from Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, Noah knew that Qan’an has cut family ties as well as break the faith, so he was no longer his son. Therefore, Noah had to give up Qan, ‘an to be punished by Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala.
In that story, although Qan'an have blood relations with Noah, but he considers that there is no bond with her father. But Noah is hoped that the Qan'an would believe the order of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and reconvene with his brothers.
Noah trying to connect family ties, by getting Qan'an to believe in the commandment of God. But since Qan'an retain the principle of his disbelief, Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala Qan'an separate from Noah pbuh.
From the story, we are more convinced by the words of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh: People who connect the family ties will always be shaded by the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, in contrast, people who break the family ties will be squeezed by the curse of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. In the story above, Qan'an refuse an invitation from Noah to knit family ties. As a result, Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala Qan'an punish.
So, the unity of Islam must be started from a strong family bond. The way is not just visiting each other, but the most important is encouraging each other. The family is a component of the Islamic community. If we are able to form an Islamic family, harmony and peace, it will create a faith community who come together under the umbrella of Islam blessed by God.

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