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| Shaykh Abdullah Bukhari (pic taken in May 2015 at his residence in Penang) |
He was truly the pearl of the 'Pearl of the Orient' (Penang) for those who knew him; his former students at Al-Mashoor, the first Islamic school in Penang; seekers of knowledge at countless majlis taalim; and those who frequented the famous Masjid Kapitan Keling where he served as Imam from the mid 1970s to 2018. He was one ulama and murabbi of Penang who was loved and adored beyond the shores of this little island.
I had the privilege to interview him at Masjid Kapitan in 2007. The interview was subsequently published in a local magazine. Plenty of facts on Shaykh's background was shared in the article. I will look for it and update this posting later In Sha Allah.
Alhamdullilah wa shukrulillah, for the opportunity to visit him again in May 2015. This occasion was briefly mentioned here: The Kernels
During the visit, Shaykh Abdullah was kind to allow us to record his words of advice which is still relevant to this day, certainly. He spoke about the importance of continually polishing one's spiritual state and encouraged us to pray for our family and friends during their absence. It goes without saying that our tongues often engage in sinful talks, but the Shaykh emphasized on "a tongue that is void of sins" that is one who secretly makes du'a for her/his family and friends.
I am grateful and humbled to have had the opportunity to pay my last respect to the Shaykh at his burial at Maqam Nordin, within the compound of Masjid Kapitan, yesterday. May Allah witness the love that all who were present had for him and allow us to reunite with him in the best of realms - Jannatul Firdaus. Aamin ya Rabbal Alamin.