Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Raja Ali Haji continued

His Works

Besides teaching, Raja Ali Haji published works on Malay history and literature. With his presence, the kingdom Riau-Lingga-Johor and Pahang became the center for Malay culture and literature, as well as the hub for Islamic Learning.

It is a well-known fact that Raja Ali Haji is famous for his "Gurindam Dua Belas". – a poetry work. However, he also published works in fiqh, tauhid, and tasawwuf. Nowhere nearly as prolific as his teacher – Syeikh Daud bin Abdullah al-Fathani, he still left some works behind from which we can benefit:

  1. The poem of Sultan ‘Abdul Muluk (1846 = Hijri 1262)
  2. Gurindam Dua Belas (1846)
  3. بستان الكاتبين للصبيان المتعلم - Bustanul Kaatibin lis Sibyanil Muta’allim (1850/ Hijri 1267)
  4. The Book of Language (1858/Hijri 1275)
  5. ثمرات المهمة - Tsammaratul Muhimmah ( 1858/Hijri 1275)
  6. The Malay and Bugis History (1865/Hijri 1282)
  7. تحفة النفيس – Tuhfatun Nafis (1865/Hijri 1282)
  8. مقدمة في إنتظام – Muqaddimah Fi Intizhom
  9. The Poem On Matrimony, also known as The Poem for Guidance of Officers
  10. Syair Sinar Gemala Mustika Alam
  11. جوهرة المكنونة – Jauharatul Maknunah

All the above works deal on 3 subjects: history, language, and Islamic jurisprudence. In jurisprudence, his writings did not guide the muslims merely on personal obligations, but also set down guidance and rules to the judges and sultan on how to make decision on community matters.

His Descendants

Raja Ali Haji passed away in 1873, leaving behind 17 children and many more grandchildren. Some later became influential persons in the government and in the Malay society in general.

More on him and his origin available here:- http://rajaalihaji.com/en

Wallahu a'lam

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