Mausoleum of Habib Kuncung & Habib Munzir Al-Musawa of Indonesia

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.

I have finally made it to the maqam of Habib Munzir Al Musawwa, a much revered and popular dai'e of Indonesia who died at a relatively young age - at the age of 40.

I had the privilege of attending his talks in KL just once and I learned one important lesson which stays with me to this day. This was my precious takeaway:

Allah is divinely pure. He does need any more purity. When we recite subhanallah wabihamdih - God is perfect, free of any defects/errors, we are in fact praying to purify ourselves. That zikir will purify us. Allah does not need it from us. Glory He is above all needs. When you recite subhanallah wabihamdih subhanallah al-azeem, have in your heart the intention of wanting to be taqarrub (near) with Allah. Many people recite it, but not many people consciously plead to be near Allah, when doing so.

The mausoleum of Habib Munzir (1973 - 2013)

at Kalibata, South Jakarta

Habib Munzir - from whom I learned the weight of
Subhanallah wabihamdih subhanallah al-azeem

His mausoleum is adjacent to Masjid At Taubah and the maqam of Habib Kuncung whose real name is Habib Ahmad Al Haddad (died in 1926). Just like many of the saintly men of the past, Habib Kuncung was well known for his karamah (miraculous powers).

Archway in between the compound of Masjid At Tawbah
and the mausoleum area of Habib Kuncung 

The grave of Habib Ahmad Al Haddad (Habib Kuncung)

May Allah grant us himmah (steadfastness) to be regular in our ibadah both the obligatory and the supererogatory, just as  Allah has blessed His select servants with plenty of tawfik, hidayah, knowledge and special gifts. Ameen.

  

History of Mosques & Mausoleum in Penang | Masjid Kapitan Keling & Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.

I am very excited and happy to have received this wonderful gift from a perpetual musafir. It's about mosques and mausoleum in Penang from 1730s to 2012. Indeed, the book is a must-have/must-read for Penangites. The publication was part of an initiative called Penang Story. It is a collaboration between Think City, Penang Heritage Trust and Universiti Sains Malaysia - one of Malaysia's top universities based in Penang.

History of Mosques and Mausoleum in Penang
1730s - 2012

The book which was funded by Think City, is based on a research carried out in 1974 by a group of students at the Malayan Teachers College in Gelugor, Penang. The six-member research team, led by Mr. W. Williams, named their work 'Historical Survey of the Mosques and Kramats on Penang Island'.

Out of the 75 mosques and 24 kramats/maqam/mausoleum listed in the book, in my opinion, 3 mosques and 2 maqams are a must-visit if you only have two days to spend in Penang Island. One of them is Masjid Batu Uban in Gelugor which we talked about several postings back. Click here for related links.

The other two mosques -  Masjid Kapitan Keling and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh - are two very beautiful and prominent mosques in the smack of George Town. Both are on the tourist/heritage trail. While you marvel at their outward beauty, you should know that there are two great personalities behind them. Cauder Mohudeen or Kapitan Keling and Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid were two remarkable community leaders who left a splendid legacy through the simple and mighty noble act of waqaf.

Cauder Mohudeen (1759 - 1834) was an active trader from Pondicherry, South India who already had business dealings with Nagore [a town along the Bay of Bengal in south east India], Kedah [a state in north Peninsula Malaysia] and Sumatera/Indonesia even before he joined Captain Francis Light's entourage to Penang in 1786. Cauder Mohudeen first served Captain Light [founder of the British colony in Penang], as crew leader. Within the first few years in Penang, after having reaped business opportunities on account of his good relationship with Captain Light, Cauder Mohudeen became the richest and most influential Chulia  [a name used by the British in reference to Muslims from South India]. In 1801, Cauder Mohudeen got elected as Kapitan [chief] of the Chulias and became known as Kapitan Keling. As the first and charismatic leader of the Chulias, Kapitan Keling submitted an application to the British government for a plot of land for the purpose of building a mosque. On 2nd November 1801, Sir George Leith, the British first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island [Penang Island] granted 18 acres of land solely for building a mosque and as compound for a Muslim cemetery. In 1802, with funding assistance from the East India Company and contributions from Muslim traders in George Town, a mosque was built and named Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Sixty five years later as George Town grew in population and trading activities, and more so after London began overseeing the management of the Straits Settlements [i.e. Penang, Malacca and Singapore] the 18 acre land meant for the mosque and Muslim cemetery had to be given up to make way for a market and a police station. In 1903, there were only 8 acres left. In 1905, the mosque's affairs were put under the purview of the Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Ordinance. The ordinance was set up to supervise waqaf properties in the Straits Settlements. Cauder Mohudeen or Kapitan Keling, as a wealthy trader, owned some 50,000 square feet of waqaf land. He, his three wives and their seven children were all buried on this piece of waqaf property. He also had 18 houses built in situ.          

Masjid Kapitan Keling
underwent a major refurbishment in 1916
(funded by the Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Board)
and several times more between 1928-1935, 2002 and 2011.
The mosque served as Penang's State Mosque until 1980. 

***
Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh [a.k.a. Acheen Street Mosque] is the other prominent mosque in George Town which you must visit. It is about 5-minute walk from Masjid Kapitan Keling. It was built in 1808, just six years after the completion of Masjid Kapitan Keling. Its founder Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid as a reputable and influential leader of the Malay community felt there was a need to have a mosque for the Malays [Melayu] because the Friday sermons at Masjid Kapitan were delivered in Tamil.

Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid (d 1840) was a member of the Aceh [Indonesia] royal family who owned a flourishing spice trading business. In 1791, he signed a pact with Captain Francis Light claiming independent authority over his followers and rights to free trade including tin business. On top of the enterprises in Penang, Tunku Sayyid Hussain was also agent for Palmer & Co based in Calcutta, India. He owned at least three trading vessels and George Town's first high-rise building i.e a four-storey building where his office was located. The building also functioned as godown for spices. The godown, known as Rumah Tinggi [Tall House] was valued at $6,000 Spanish dollar and with that Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid qualified as the third richest man in George Town, after Captain Francis Light and his friend James Scott.

Tunku Sayyid Hussain was so rich that he afforded a loan amounting to $50,000 Spanish dollar to East India Company who got into financial difficulties in 1815. In 1820 Tunku Sayyid Hussain offered some 66,000 square feet of waqaf land for religious purposes. Rental collections from about 14 properties were channeled to the mosque's trust fund meant for charitable causes, such as education. A house dedicated for Malay children was built on the waqaf land.

Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh/Acheen Street Mosque
[The small structure on the far right is where
Maqam of Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid is housed]

After his demise in 1840, Lebuh Aceh/Acheen Street continued to prosper and evolved as a center for hajj pre-departure activities. This took place in the mid-19th century when Penang Port became the region's one and only point of disembarkation for hajj. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh became a pivotal center for religious studies for would-be pilgrims and others. It was where high calibre spiritual leaders like Shaykh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi came to the fore. Shaykh Omar was then serving as imam of the mosque from whom the British had sought for help in resolving community conflicts and riots in Penang.      

Shaykh Omar Basheer (1811 - 1881) descended from an Arab family from Hadramaut. He was born in 1811 in an area within the vicinity of Masjid Kapitan Keling. He was well educated and received plenty of training in Mecca from several outstanding scholars. His maqam is located in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Itam [northwest of George Town] near his family home which also served as a center for Naqshbandi Tariqa activities. His maqam is a must-visit destination.

Shaykh Omar's grandfather, Hamid bin Bahman was a reputable Sufi leader in Hadramaut. He first brought/introduced the Naqshbandi Tariqa in Penang in 1806 and set up a 'House of Seclusion' known as Madrasatul Suluk Kampung Melayu. In 1840, Shaykh Omar was gifted with a house in Kampung Melayu which originally belonged to Captain Francis Light's Secretary.

***
Link to an old posting on Shaykh Omar Basheer:
http://lisanaldin.blogspot.com/2009/11/sheikh-omar-basheer-al-khalidi.html
  

Maqam Shaykh Omar Basheer in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Itam, Penang
[pic taken in 2009]

To recap, if you only have two days to spend in Penang, the three mosques and two maqams you should visit are:

• Masjid Batu Uban in Gelugor
• Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town
• Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh in George Town
• Maqam Tunku Sayyid Hussain Al-Aidid at Masjid Melayu Lebuh Aceh
• Maqam Shaykh Omar Basheer in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Itam

The great personalities behind these mosques should in fact be our role models. They were all high achievers who contributed significantly to society.

Haji Muhammad Saleh a.k.a. Nahkoda Nan Intan | Batu Uban Mosque in Penang

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah, we were able to visit Masjid Batu Uban where its founder and first imam Haji Muhammad Saleh or Nahkoda Nan Intan were buried. We were not too sure which was the exact maqam but inclined to believe it's one of the two located inside a demolished wall at the foot of a Banyan tree.

Two graves within a demolished wall
on the south side of Batu Uban mosque.
The one on the left side is marked as per below photo.
The one on the right is unmarked.

Al-Fatihah
Shaykh Muhammad Saleh ibni Shaykh Ahmad Al-Makkawi
Jumaat, 5 Jamadil Awal 1332H
[The name seems right but not the date. Allahua'lam]

Masjid Batu Uban was opened in 1734 by Haji Muhammad Saleh,
a religious leader and Sufi master who became its first imam until his demise

Batu Uban is Malay for 'grey hair rock' after a sea boulder which had grass over it that looked like grey hair. Batu Uban mosque was originally situated next to a beach and right on the beach was an ancient well which is now motor-operated. Despite being very close to the sea and the fact that the well had to be covered during high tide, the water has always remained fresh. 

Ancient well upgraded.
Imagine this being on a beach, once upon a time. 

Main prayer hall at Masjid Batu Uban.
Haji Muhammad Saleh actually brought the 4 pillars (cengal wood)
from Sumatera/Indonesia on boats.

As mentioned in the previous posting, Haji Muhammad Saleh or Nahkoda Nan Intan was a royalty from Payakumbuh in Sumatera/Indonesia who traveled to Penang and built this mosque in 1734. He also established the first Muslim settlements on the island. Imagine him being busy as imam of the mosque, busy planting coconut, banana and sugarcane, busy ferrying mosque materials from Sumatera. Before coming to Penang, he was reported to have built a mosque in Tengkera, Melaka in 1728.

Haji Muhammad Saleh was a multi-skilled person. He was a religious leader and a Sufi who was skillful in seafaring, agriculture, and carpentry. He was clearly one of the cool people of the past from whom we should draw inspirations and encouragement in doing as many lasting good deeds as possible. Bi iznillah.

***

Good reads:
http://www.starproperty.my/index.php/articles/living/batu-uban-the-earliest-malay-settlement-in-penang/
http://262bandahilir.blogspot.com/2013/06/haji-muhammad-salleh-nakhoda-nan-intan.html
http://262bandahilir.blogspot.com/2014/01/masjid-jamek-batu-uban-penang-1734.html
http://262bandahilir.blogspot.com/2014/01/grave-of-nakhoda-nan-intan.html
http://262bandahilir.blogspot.com/search/label/Masjid%20Tengkera%201728

p/s
The youths in the above pic are my nephews Kamil Arif and Amer Areef. Caught them 'iktikaf-ing' with their tablets right after tahhiyatul masjid prayers. At least they were keen on visiting mosques and maqams. Alhamdulillah.

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary | A saint's tomb in the city | Masjid Al-Bukhary Kuala Lumpur

Bismillah.

I think it's KL's best-kept secret. We all know that a saint almost always wants to remain hidden. Yet Allah sometimes reveals something special about His chosen servants.

Quietly nestled on the beautiful compound of Masjid Al-Bukhary (only 1 km away from the busiest tourist spot in KL), is a maqam of a pious man known as Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary.  

Maqam of Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary at Masjid Al-Bukhary Kuala Lumpur
(Died in 1918)

Locals and tourists, be they Muslims or non-Muslims who pass by Jalan Hang Tuah in KL would surely be captivated by the simply stunning Masjid Al-Bukhary. The masjid was officiated in 2007 by the then King of Malaysia, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

This relatively new masjid stands tall and majestic, thanks to the country's well-known tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary whose works of charity have left some beautiful impressions on Malaysian shore and abroad. MashaAllah.

But the masjid would not even be in existence if not for the other Al Bukhary - Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary who was working for the rather infamous Pudu Jail, located some 10-minutes walk away from the masjid.

Someone who's close to one of the present Imams of the masjid, revealed a heartwarming story related by the Imam.

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary was more than just a prison staff. He volunteered to care for the dead bodies of prisoners who either had served a death-sentence or died a natural death while being imprisoned at the Pudu Jail. The plot of land on which Masjid Al-Bukhary was built had been used as a cemetery for Muslim prisoners. 

Right behind the graveyard was, and still is, a reputable school of KL - the Victoria Institution. The school's former headmaster, who's also a priest, noticed the presence of Syed Lal Shah at the cemetery and offered him a piece of land for the purpose of building a musolla. On top of taking care of the dead prisoners' remains, Syed Lal Shah who's a deeply religious man could be seen spending long hours praying and making zikr there. This had "won" him the generous offer from the priest who perhaps had wanted Syed Lal Shah to pray more comfortably.   

It was also reported that in 1860 the then Sultan of Selangor state, Almarhum Sultan Abdul Samad granted the land area for the same purpose i.e. a musolla and a cemetery and even entrusted Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary to head the musolla which later became known as Babbul Jannah (The Doors of the Heavens). Babbul Jannah served its purpose for 147 years.

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary was an Indian-Muslim by race. Many believed this pious man was, in fact, a saint. One curious imam wanted to verify this fact so he consulted his guru who prescribed some practices. The guru said if the imam were to fast and perform special prayers with an intention to know Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary, he would, by the Will of Allah, be able to see the saint in his dream. And he did meet the saint in his dream. Subhanallah!

Though a little sketchy, we now know the maqam (stature) of the owner of the sole maqam (grave) that occupies the grand Masjid Al-Bukhary. 

When the Al Bukhary Foundation (headed by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary) decided to rebuild Babbul Jannah circa 2004, the religious authorities were consulted on what to do with the remains at the adjoining cemetery. Approval (fatwa) was duly issued for the bones of the prisoners to be collected and buried in one space, and the body of Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary - the former "master" of the cemetery and the musolla Babbul Jannah - be kept. And really we should say beautifully kept, as can be seen in the above photo. It is as though Allah wants to honor and repay Syed Lal Shah's devotion and vocation that he gets an abode within a beautiful 'House of Allah'. 

    

Al Fatihah to one and all ruhul quddus. Surely Allah rewards each and everyone who contributes to the deen. 

Allahu a'lam.

_________________________
Pic credit: H.E


Disclaimer:
- We are not implying here that the saint is in any way related to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary's family as this fact was not mentioned to us.

- Since this posting has received plenty of hits. I should mention here that the info on the mosque and tomb was provided by Mohamed Sidek - a committee member of the mosque at the time.

Tun Perabu - the mighty lady saint of Temong | Tok Temong

Bismillah.

Tun Perabu was her real name. She became known as Tok Temong after her death. She lived in the early 16th century in Temong, a small district in Perak (a state in Malaysia) where she once ruled. Her maqam which we had visited for the first time last Saturday, is situated on a riverbank, not far from Kuala Kangsar. 

Her elder brother, Tun Saban, arrived in Perak prior to the installation of an official sultanate. Together with one man by the name of Nahkoda Kassim, Tun Saban had an audience with Sultan Mahmud Shah of Kampar (Sumatera/Indonesia) asking the Sultan to nominate a ruler for Perak.

Prince Mudzaffar, Sultan Mahmud's son then became the first Sultan for Perak in 1528. It was reported that Tun Perabu presented the new sultan with a special talisman known as 'Mustika Embun' (a petrified dew). It then became a significant article used during an installation ceremony of a new sultan in Perak to this day. Sultan Mudzaffar Shah offered Tun Perabu a gift in return, but she declined. Instead, she asked that she be allowed to rule Temong on the left side of the Perak river bank, while the Sultan kept to his area on the right side of the river bank.

Each new sultan of Perak would customarily conduct visitation to her maqam. But it is worth noting that the maqam does not contain her body as it had "disappeared" during her funeral. The people then buried only her cane at the site which is also known as 'Kramat Tok Temong'.

According to one senior Naqshbandi mureed, Almarhum Shaykh Raja Ashman is said to have had a special spiritual connection with Tun Perabu. His followers are encouraged to pay a visit to her maqam. Last Saturday, prior to attending the majlis tahlil for Almarhum Shaykh Raja, Shaykh Adnan Kabbani led the jemaah to a special prayer at Tok Temong's maqam.

Wallahu a'lam.

p/s May Allah strengthen our hearts on matters of the unseen involving His saints. May Allah make us benefit from any special gifts which He might have bestowed upon Tun Perabu. Al Fatihah.

Reference: http://sultan.perak.gov.my/bahasa/toktemong.htm

Intercession of the grand saint of Singapore

Bismillah.

A supplication by Tok Mat the Carriage Driver
as quoted in the above book which may be purchased
at the maqam of Habib Noh.
***
"Tok Mat worked as a horse carriage driver,
ferrying passengers to and fro.
His was a dangerous occupation:
19th-century was rife with robberies and murders,
especially at night.
Tok Mat knew Habib Nuh and regularly transported him around,
free of charge, only hoping for the blessing of his saintly grace.
One night, Tok Mat had to ride alone across an area,
which he knew to be very unsafe.
He was gripped with fear.
He made a silent prayer to Allah that his journey be eased
by somehow meeting him with Habib Nuh along the way
so that Habib Nuh could intercede for his safety.
As soon as this prayer crossed his heart,
he looked up and saw Habib Nuh in the passenger cabin,
smiling at him.
He knew that he had nothing to fear,
and rode home safely."

The maqam is open daily. Visiting hours: 9 am - 9 pm
Closed for 10 minutes before and after prayer times.

We all hope to stand in the saintly rays of barakah
bi-iznillah

Khwaja Abu Nasr Pasra - a Naqshbandi leader

Bismillah.

Khwaja Abu Nasr Pasra (d. 1460) whose shrine (pic above) is located in Balkh, Afghanistan, was a spiritual leader of Naqshbandi Tariqat and a theological lecturer of Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. I would not have known this fact if I had not visited the newly built Islamic Civilization Park in Terengganu, Malaysia where a replica of the shrine stood amidst the other 20 selected replicas of world-famous mosques and monuments. Abu Nasr's shrine in Balkh was built by Sultan Husayn Bayqara in 1462 - 1463 reflecting a Timurid architecture style. 

"The family into which Abu Nasr was born had deep roots and enjoyed a long tradition of intellectual prominence, though not in Balkh but in Bukhara. His father, Muhammad Pasra was a highly regarded 'alim in addition to being the 'second successor' (khalifah-yi duwwumm) to Baha al-din Naqshband, compiler of his sayings and acknowledged as the figure who made the order both intellectually credible and powerful in Bukhara. When he died while on the hajj, his spiritual and intellectual legacy was passed to his son, who though not the scholar his father had been (we have no known writings of this), was influential of his own [right]."

- RD Mc Chesney     

As a follower of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order, I was delighted to see Abu Nasr Pasra's shrine, albeit a replica. The tour-guide notes about him were very brief but enough to evoke a deep sense of belonging in me. And to learn that he was the son of the second successor of Shaykh Bahauddin Naqshbandi was very moving, to say the least. May Allah s.w.t makes us love those who love Him and makes us follow in the footsteps of the Sufi Mashaikh (leaders). Ameen Allahumma ameen.

Facade of the replica of Abu Nasr Pasra's shrine at Islamic Civilization Park, Terengganu, Malaysia

Anterior shot of the replica of Abu Nasr Pasra's shrine at Islamic Civilization Park, Terengganu, Malaysia
"Built in the 17th century in Timurid Style, the shrine in this octagonal structure is dedicated to an eminent theologian, Khwaja Abu Nasr Pasra who was a spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi Order."
- quoted from Islamic Civilization Park brochure

Square Kufic in Architectural Setting (Abu Nasr Pasra Shrine, Afghanistan)

NOTES:

1. Pic credit: Center for Afghanistan Studies, Uni of Nebraska Omaha USA
2. For more pictures of Abu Nasr Pasra tomb visit thruafghaneyes.blogspot and SPACH.
3. Article by RD McChesney from http://www.jstor.org/
4. Refer glowimages.com for info on shrine builder.
5. 'Square Kufic in Architecture' info from http://www.kufic.info/architecture/architecture.htm
6. Visit Islamic Civilization Park homepage. 
7. Read about tourist attractions in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Sheikh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi

Sheikh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi

19th century Naqshbandi Sufi leader of Penang

Bismillah.

Sheikh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi (d. 1881) had achieved something few religious leaders could achieve. A migrant from the blessed region of Hadhramaut, Yemen, Sheikh Omar had brought to Penang not only his personal religious discipline but leadership charisma that appealed to the British government who was ruling Penang then. He was very well known as a Naqshbandi Sufi Shaykh who introduced the special tariqah practice called suluk. He was also very well known among the ruling elites who were indebted to him for his ability to mediate during the Penang riots of 1867.

The house depicted in the painting below was used for suluk where Naqshbandi tariqah followers would live in for an extended period of time and dedicate their time doing zikr under the guidance of Sheikh Omar. According to his grandson, Haji Fathil bin Sheikh Zakaria Basheer, members of Kedah royal family were among those who used to frequent the 'Suluk House'. Sheikh Omar was from the Khalidiah branch of Naqshbandi which until today emphasizes on seclusion. He thus carried the title al-Khalidi.

I thought Sheikh Omar was special because he did not seem to be apologetic nor was he secretive about his involvement in tariqah. In fact, he did not allow his personal religious inclinations to hinder him from taking part in public affairs.

The description accompanying Sheikh Omar's portrait above noted that the secretary to Captain Francis Light (British founder of Penang) had in 1860 built a house for Sheikh Omar where he lived until his death in 1881. It was also recorded in the annals that Sheikh Omar had lived at No. 69 Lebuh Acheh, at the heart of a Muslim center for hajj, trade and Islamic studies. Upon Sheikh Omar's demise, his son, Sheikh Zakaria took over the role of Penang's most notable religious leader. Sheikh Zakaria was appointed as Penang's first mufti and later, another son of Sheikh Omar (Sheikh Yahya) followed suit and became Penang's first qadi. They both operated from the same address. Eventually, in 1917, No. 69 Lebuh Acheh evolved into a madrasah for Qur'anic studies.

Sheikh Omar's tomb is located in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Hitam, Penang, underneath a 35-foot white tower (picture). Built by Muslim labourers from India, it is regarded as the largest and most handsome Muslim mausoleum in Penang. It is regularly visited by Naqshbandi followers as well as non-tariqah public from near and far places such as Pakistan and Lebanon.

__________________________________________

I felt honoured for the opportunity to visit Sheikh Omar's tomb again today. Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. Know that we belong with those who adore and cherish awliya Allah and we pray to Allah s.w.t so that we too would be istiqamah in our zikr; so that we follow in their footsteps in becoming close to our Creator and useful to the ummah. Ameen Allahumma Ameen.

References:
Housing, Building and Planning USM
Signboard at Mausoleum
Picture was taken at Haji Fathil's Resident
Harian Metro dated 27 March 2009

p/s Did I tell you that I grew up in Kampung Melayu, Ayer Hitam, Penang - a humble neighbourhood blessed by such a holy presence. I recalled the nights when I stayed up to study, I would take a break on the balcony of my family's flat on the 9th floor. Every time, I mean every time I stood there, my eyes somehow always landed on the dome of the mausoleum. In the stillness of the night, the dome looked mysteriously majestic yet intensely serene. I know in my heart that I would not be the person I am today without the barakah from Sheikh Omar Basheer al-Khalidi. Al-Fatihah.

Kneeling at the feet of Shaykh Ismail

Bismillah.

Oh what a blessed name

Ismail...

the father I so love

the prophet we all admire

THE saint of 'Big Island' and beyond

whose barakah cure hearts in mire

Ismail bin Abdul Qadir lived from 1463 - 1520 CE

Sultan al-Ariffin Shaykh - honors of a Sufi

Murshid to Wali Songo and many more

A saint who could walk on water

In the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad his ancestor

Laurels as great as al-Jilani's his great grandfather

In the leagues of tariqah he's master

Shattariah, Chistiah, Qadiriah and Naqshbandi

Made hijrah from Baghdad to Malacca

Accompanied by Shaykh Yusuf Siddiq his teacher

In his 30s he marked 1495 a crucial year

Leader and healer for many a seeker

Thank you

O Sultan al-Ariffin Shaykh Ismail

for the invitation

THANK YOU!

I will not say more than that

let my whispers to you

remain a secret

I cherish deep in my heart

To that one fish swimming and jumping

escorting the boat ride

Thanks for the kind gesture

I sure felt welcomed

to kneel at the feet of our forefather

- Ezza Ismail

Commemorating the ziyarah to Shaykh Ismail's Maqam in Pulau Besar ('Big Island'), Malacca, Malaysia led by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani on 20 October 2009. Also present was Hajjah Naziha (Sh. Hisham's wife/daughter of Shaykh Nazim Haqqani - pic below, in pink scarf).

All historical facts are based on a book published by Malacca Museum. Credit: Ahmad Azam Madinah al-Nur blog

Loving al-Jazuli

Bismillah.

At long last, I got to see you
O al-Jazuli
Surely, BEAUTY is your destiny
My eyes smiled joyfully
when they landed on your abode
how colorful
how beautiful
the home of one honorable poet

You orchestrate a million lips
Singing praises to Muhammad
Dala'il al-Khayrat
'Waymarks of Benefits'

O adorable saint of Marrakech
we would be lost for words
if not for your pen
dancing in Fez

The inkwells dried
so the mouth of a pious could rehearse
It didn't matter you're poisoned
for you remain alive years and years

None could honor you as best as Allah
inviting you to Himself while in solah
Seventy years in the grave
yet your body uncorrupted
Telling the world
Al-Jazuli is a Beloved

O wali, be my guide
I do not dream to memorize
only wish to read flawlessly
else it would be a shame
if Nabi heard me pronounce wrongly
Have mercy on ajami

O Al-Jazuli
I bow to you sincerely
as a mureed would
to his Sayyidi
O 'splendor of the awliya'
we know you are now happy
in the company of Taha

_______________________________________
In loving memory of
Al-Imam Abi Abdillah Muhammad bin Sulaiman al-Jazuli as-Shadhilli rahimallahu ta'ala (d. 1465)
AL FATIHAH

Poem written upon seeing pictures of Al-Jazuli's maqam for the first time. Read 'The Story of Dala'il al-Khayrat' by Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller here. Photo credit: Ali Diallo of Haqqani Fellowship