# Azhar Idrus

Ustaz Zamrul bin Idrus (born 12 February 1964) or popularly known as Ustaz Azhar Idrus is a Malaysian independent preacher. He is known for his casual delivery style in his lectures, interspersed with answers thick with Terengganu dialect.

## Early life and education

Ustaz Azhar Idrus (Zamrul bin Idrus) was born on 12 February 1964 in Kampung Ladang, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman. Since childhood, he was fondly called Azhar by his family and eventually the name Azhar stuck to him even though his birth name is Zamrul.
Ustaz Azhar received his early education at Hj Mohd Sharif Primary School, Alor Star, Kedah. After completing his primary education, he continued his studies at Darulaman National Secondary School, Alor Star, Kedah until Form 2 (Grade 8). When he entered Form 3 (Grade 9), he moved to his home state to an English school, Sultan Sulaiman National Secondary School, Kuala Terengganu until he completed Form 6 (Grade 12).
He received religious education through talaqqi method from several religious teachers around Kuala Terengganu. Among them are:
* First teacher: Tuan Guru Haji Syed Mokhtar - Completed approximately 40 Jawi books through talaqqi
* Second teacher: Tuan Guru Mohd Tahir - Completed approximately 25 Jawi books as well
* Third teacher: Tuan Guru Mohd Hakim - Started studying Arabic books such as Nahu (Grammar), Sorof (Morphology), Usul Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Mustolah Hadith (Hadith Terminology), Usul Quran (Principles of Quran) and Balaghoh (Rhetoric)
* Fourth teacher: Tuan Guru Haji Hasyim - Studied Arabic books in the chapters of Nahu, Sorof, Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Tafsir (Exegesis) and Faraidh (Inheritance)
* Fifth teacher: Tuan Guru Haji Ibrahim Mesir - Studied Sirah Nabawi (Prophetic Biography) and Lughah Arabiyah (Arabic Language)
* Sixth teacher: Tuan Guru Haji Muhammad Zubir - Studied Fiqh & Nahu
* Seventh teacher: Tuan Guru Haji Mohd Zain (Pondok Lubuk Pandan) - Studied Fiqh, Nahwu, Sorof, Tafsir, & Balahgoh

## Career

Ustaz Azhar was previously a guitarist in a music group around Kuala Terengganu, namely the group Iklim. At that time, groups Wings, XPDC had performed several shows in stadiums. After his music group decided to make a recording, Ustaz withdrew because his purpose was just for fun joining the music group, not to seek glamour. He was once a music teacher in 1985.
He is also a good photographer. Therefore, he is friendly and compatible with young people. His lectures which are joined by comedian Zizan Razak are quite attracting public attention. He is also active on the internet such as at http://ustazazhar.net/ and photography at http://www.digitalmukmin.com/.
Ustaz is also active in sports and once represented Terengganu in cycling events in the 1980s. And it became his routine in his spare time at night, Ustaz would cycle around Kuala Terengganu City with friends. There are also those who ask Ustaz to officiate cycling programs.
Ustaz Azhar once worked with Utusan Malaysia Kuala Terengganu branch as a graphic artist. A week after marrying in 1990, Ustaz decided to quit his job and work as a batik maker and it was during this time that he seriously studied religious knowledge. No excuse for him with rain or storm. He himself went to find religious teachers and studied at the teacher's house or pondok (religious school).
Ustaz's self-change towards becoming someone who seriously studies religion was because his best friend, a former "Punk" group leader, disappeared for 5 years and when he reappeared, his friend had changed with a very noticeable change in his dress and behavior. Ustaz learned that his friend had studied religion in Patani during his "disappearance". Seeing the greatness of his friend, the desire to be like his friend also arose, so Ustaz Azhar began to deepen his religious knowledge.

## Personal life

Ustaz Azhar is married and has three wives and 12 children.
On 4 November 2019, Ustaz Azhar broke his left hand and nose after falling off his bicycle while traveling home on Jalan Pusara. He also participated in a casual ride with the Chairman of the Terengganu Youth Development, Sports and NGO Committee, Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah around Kuala Terengganu city. The incident is believed to have occurred at about 6.30 pm when UAI was on his way home before the bicycle he was riding suddenly stopped abruptly causing the preacher to fall on the road. He was taken to hospital for surgery and was allowed to leave the hospital after his physical condition fully recovered.