Thursday, April 17, 2008

Syeikh 'Abdul Jalil al-Mahdani


Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil Al-Mahdani, Mufti of the Government of Kedah Darul Aman
(adapted from Hj. Wan Mohd Shaghir r.h. ‘s Ulamas of the Malay World)

An early source – Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah by Muhammad Hassan bin Kerani Muhammad Arshad – mentioned that this ulama by name of Tuan Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil al-Mahdani was the father of Syeikh ‘Abdus Shamad al-Falimbani. This document has later been republished by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 1968.

In any case the truth is still open for debate since several other sources mention that Syeikh ‘Abdus Shamad’s father being one Syeikh Abdullah, while other sources said his father goes by name Syeikh ‘Abdur Rahman.

Origin and Arrival in South-East Asia

His full name is Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil bin Syeikh ‘Abdul Wahhab bin Syeikh Ahmad al-Mahdani, from San’a, Yemen.

It is unclear the year he arrived in Palembang. According to a manuscript by Society of Malaysian History – Kedah Chapter (published 18th July 1989), he came to Palembang towards the end of 17th century. Six months later he departed for Java together with disciple Tengku Muhammad Jiwa – son to the Sultan of Kedah. The Syeikh spread Islam to the people of Java for a while before setting sail for India.

His disciple Tengku Muhammad Jiwa acted as the Syeikh’s personal aide (khadam) and concealed his nobility very well. Moving from place to place in India, he maintained humility towards his master. Much later the Syeikh acquired another personal aide by name Hapisap, a similarly well-mannered disciple.

Probably driven by longing to return to his homeland, Tengku Muhammad Jiwa suggested to Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil and Hapisap to visit Kedah since they had never been to that kingdom. He added some spice to that suggestion saying that Kedah was quite a prominent kingdom, ruled by a Muslim by name of Sultan ‘Abdullah. It might not be far-off if we speculate that Tengku Muhammad Jiwa also felt the need to spread his Syeikh’s vast knowledge of Islam to his homeland.

In 1710 (Hijri 1122) the trio boarded an Arab ship from Muscat stopping over en route to South-East Asia. The ship also made a re-supply stop at the Mergui harbor in present-day Myanmar (Burma).

The Empty Throne in Kedah

Unknown to Tengku Muhammad Jiwa, his father – Sultan ‘Abdullah Mu’azzam Shah had passed away in 1706 (Hijri 1118). He was succeeded by the crown prince Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Syah – who passed away shortly after. Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin did not leave behind an heir. The Kedah chieftains decided to set out and look for for his brother – Tengku Muhammad Jiwa to succeed the throne.

While Dato’ Kema Jaya set out to Sumatra and Java, his colleague Dato’ Seri Indera Mambang went to India and Burma. It happened that Dato’ Seri Indera Mambang bumped into Tengku Muhammad Jiwa in Burma (Mergui) during the stopover. Upon learning that both his father and brother had passed away, Tengku Muhammad Jiwa cried and related his real identity to his Syeikh. In company of the Kedah chieftain all three departed for Kedah.

The Mufti Appointment

Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil recited the ceremonial do’a when Tengku Muhammad Jiwa was appointed as the next Sultan of Kedah. When the Chief Judge (Qadhi) of Kedah passed away, the new Sultan asked the chiefs’ approval to appoint his good friend Hapisap as the new Qadhi, and Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil as the new Mufti.

Sultan Muhammad Jiwa then looked for a suitable bride for the Syeikh. He found one in Wan Zainab binti Dato’ Seri Maharaja Putra Dewa.

Descendants of Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil

After a few months, an old student of Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil by name Raden Siran came from Palembang for a visit. He suggested the Syeikh to return to Palembang and pay a visit to his old students.

Later in Palembang, the Syeikh married Raden Ranti/Rantai. From this marriage, they had a son – ‘Abdus Shamad. This child later became one of the most famous sufi alim in South-East Asia (even to this day). Syeikh Abdus Shamad al-Falimbani would later wrote famous books such as ‘Hidayatus Salikin’ and ‘Siyarus Salikin’. Syeikh ‘Abdus Shamad is known to leave behind at least one offspring – a daughter named Fathimah.

From his earlier marriage in Kedah with Wan Zainab, the Syeikh had 2 sons. One was named Wan ‘Abdul Qadir (later Mufti of Kedah). The second was Wan Abdullah, who grew up to hold important position in the government – Seri Maharaja Putera Dewa. Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil’s grandchildren in Kedah have yet to be located.

Death

Syeikh ‘Abdul Jalil al-Mahdani passed away in 1782 (Hijri 1196). His grave is in Tanjung Pauh, Jitra, in district of Kubang Pasu, Kedah.

Wallahu a'lam