بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

The image circulating on WhatsApp in Malaysia about boycotting QR payment

Over the past few days, an intriguing image has been making the rounds in several of my WhatsApp groups. From what I can summarise, the image is about solidarity with the Palestinians by somehow boycotting the QR and online payments. Hence, the hashtags #ThursdayWithoutTransactions & #SolidarityWithPalestine Somehow, the creator of that image correlates the QR and online payments technology with Zionism. That the creator implies: if you engage in a trade transaction using QR and online payments, your information will be sent to the Israeli intelligence. As a Malaysian, this kind of misinformation is always present and hilarious to boot.

What is QR payment?

So, a quick recap, QR payment (Quick Response payment) is a cashless transaction method that uses a QR code, a two-dimensional barcode, to transfer payment information instantly between a buyer and a seller. How it works:

• The merchant shows a QR code (static or dynamic).
• The customer scans it using a banking app, e-wallet, or payment platform.
• The system reads the merchant’s payment details.
• The customer enters the amount (or it’s pre-filled), confirms, and the payment is made instantly.

Essentially, the QR code acts as a digital bridge between two wallets or bank accounts, without needing physical cards, POS machines, or NFC technology. QR codes were invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara, an engineer from Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota in Japan.

Evolution of Invention:

Originally, QR codes were developed for tracking vehicle parts during manufacturing; they could hold far more data than standard barcodes and be scanned from any angle. Later evolution: In the 2010s, with the rise of smartphones and mobile internet, QR codes found new life in marketing, logistics, and, most notably, digital payments.

Addressing the Heart of Misinformation

Now, I want to address and clear up the misinformation surrounding QR transactions. The QR payment technology itself is not a threat. In Malaysia, QR codes, operating through the ‘DuitNow’ system, are designed specifically for local users and run within a secure, contained ecosystem. There’s no foreign intelligence lurking to intercept our transactions or data. Ironically, if our data were ever compromised, it wouldn’t come from Israel; it would likely be due to the failures of our own government. This is not a post defending Israel, but if we want to fight them. Do it in a proper and better way. The hatred and disgust that we have towards the Zionists doesn’t permit us to become on the same level as them. We have better teachers and divine guidance. Rather than targeting QR technology, shift your focus to the money itself. Learn what fiat money, sound money, the Gold Standard, the Federal Reserve and the history and mechanism of the money itself are.

Shared Responsibilities of the Ummah

Dear fellow Malaysians, Muslim brothers and sisters, and everyone, consider this a humble piece of advice from me, just a small voice in this vast world. Victory can only be won with patience and due diligence, not by spreading unnecessary fears and misinformation. Be united in our solidarity by learning more, unlearning past mistakes and exercising caution when sharing whatever information comes across our timeline. There is a beautiful concept and teaching that Islam preaches to us every day. The notion of “Tabayyun”. The Arabic word تَبَيُّن (tabayyun) comes from the root ب-ي-ن (b-y-n), meaning to make clear, to verify, to distinguish truth from falsehood. In simple terms, tabayyun means “to seek clarification before making judgment or acting on information.” It is not just a moral habit; it is a divine command.

Qur’anic Foundation

The cornerstone of this concept lies in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌۭ بِنَبَإٍۢ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًۭا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍۢ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ

“O you who believe! If a sinner comes to you with any news, verify it (tabayyanū), lest you harm people in ignorance and then become regretful for what you have done.”

• Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6)

This verse was revealed when false information about a tribe was brought to the Prophet ﷺ, almost causing conflict. Allah commanded the believers to pause, verify, and confirm before reacting.

Prophetic Reinforcement

The Prophet ﷺ said: Ubayd Allah bin Mu’ādh al-Anbarī narrated to us, my father narrated to us; and Muhammad bin ul-Muthannā narrated to us, Abd ur-Rahman bin Mahdī both narrated to us: Shu’bah narrated to us, on authority of Khubayb bin Abd ir-Rahman, on authority of Hafs bin Āsim, on authority of Abī Hurayrah, he said, the Messenger of Allah ,ﷺ said: ‘It is enough of a lie for a man to narrate everything he hears.’

Reference: Sahih Muslim 5

This means not verifying before sharing is tantamount to lying, even unintentionally. The Messenger ﷺ taught that truth without verification can become falsehood in transmission.

Philosophy Behind Tabayyun

Tabayyun protects three things:

• Truth, from distortion and manipulation.
• People’s honour, from false accusations or backbiting.
• Society’s harmony, from the chaos of misinformation.

It nurtures hikmah (wisdom), sabr (patience), and adl (justice). Without it, emotion rules over reason, and ignorance leads to regret. In today’s age of viral posts, deepfakes, and algorithmic outrage, tabayyun is not just religious etiquette. It’s intellectual jihad, a fight to preserve clarity and conscience amidst the noise. To verify before sharing is an act of spiritual discipline. Remember that our deeds will be the ultimate witness when we face our Lord later on in the hereafter. Don’t let our emotions go unchecked and become our anguish on the Final Day.

Closing Words

My heartfelt thanks to all who spared a bit of their time to read, share, repost, or comment on this humble piece. Any errors or shortcomings in this article are my own; the ultimate truth and what is best for humanity come only from Allah. Allah knows best. جَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْرًا