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        The figure chosen for the Biography slot this time is Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim Al-Malakawi, a scholar from Paya Rumput, Malacca. He is also the father of the late Datuk Hj Nawawi Bin Hj Ahmad, the podcaster for this website.

 

 

 

 

ORIGINS

 

        Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim was born in 1901 in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. His father was one of the police officers with the rank of Sergeant Major at that time. His mother died when he was only six months old. Due to the missing factor, he was nursed by others in Jelebu. In addition to having three half-siblings and a nursing sibling, he also has four half-siblings from different mothers as a result of his father's remarriage after he retired from the police, and when they returned to their place of origin, Kampung Paya Rumput, Malacca.

 

 

EDUCATION

 

        Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim received education as early as the age of 5 from his own father who is also an imam who is very skilled in religious knowledge and Al-Quran studies. He was sent to Paya Rumput Malay School when he was 7 years old until he graduated at 13. Showing a very high interest in learning religious knowledge, he did not miss the opportunity to study with a famous local figure at the time, namely Tok Guru Hj Mad Ali from Sungai Udang, Malacca before leaving for Palembang, Indonesia in 1915 to study with another famous scholar. there that is Hj Md. Mukhtar of Palembang. In 1919, he returned to Paya Rumput after completing his studies. Feeling insufficient with the knowledge gained and driven by a deep interest, he wished to continue his studies in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. At first, he was not approved by his father, but seeing his high determination to seek knowledge, his father allowed him. So he migrated to Mecca in 1919. For almost 12 years in Mecca, he made a living by working as a tailor. It was sufficient to enable him to study with the big scholars there either in their homes or in the Masjid Al-Haram. Among the teachers are:

 

  • Syekh Muhammad Mukhtar Atharid Al-Bughuri
  • Syekh Muhammad Jamal Al-Maliki
  • Syekh Abbas Al-Maliki
  • Syekh Ahmad Al-Khattib Al-Minangkabawi
  • Syekh Ahmad Zaini Dahlan
  • Syekh Umar Hamdan
  • Syekh Ihya Bugur
  • Syekh Muhammad Amin Al-Kutubi and many more

 

        The maturity and depth of his religious knowledge cannot be disputed and it was proven when he was made a teacher by some of the residents of Mecca and those who came from Malaysia. The fame of his name when he was in Mecca became a mention and his return to his homeland in 1931 was eagerly awaited by the people of Malacca.

 

 

SCHOOL

 

        The (hut) school founded by Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim sets the learning period between 3 to 5 years has its own curriculum and uses Arabic and Malay as the main medium of instruction. The following are the subjects and books used in the boarding school:

 

  • Tawhid - Book of Bidayah Al-Hidayah, Matan Al-Sanusiyah and so on

  • Fiqah - Book of Fath Al-Qarib, Baijuri, Al-Iqna, Al-Irshad, Riyadah Al-Salihin, Subl Al-Salam, Bulugh Al-Muram and so on

  • Sufism - Book of Ihya'Ulum Al-Din, Minhaj Al-Abidin, Hidayah Al-Salikin and so on

  • Mantik - Book of Sharh Al-Salma

  • Tafsir and Hadith - Book of Tafsir Al-Jalalain, Tafsir Al-Maraghi, Sunan Al-Sittah and so on.

  • Nahu Saraf and Balaghah - Book of Al-Muqaddimah Al-Jurumiah, Matan Al-Jurumiah, Sharh Ibn Aqil, Sharh Al-Fiyah, Muktasar Al-Maani, al-Balaghah Al-Wadihah, Al-Maqsur and so on

 

    He prioritizes the teaching of the Quran, where every student is required not only to be able to read fluently; but must master tajwid as well as possible. He also prioritizes good songs.

 

    Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim passed away on 11 May 1943 when he was 42 years old. After his death, the school was continued by his senior students who were devoted to spreading Islam in Malacca. Until now it is estimated that the lodge has produced a total of 1,700 students.

 

 

Location of Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad's Surau which is located in Paya Rumput, Malacca

 

 

For your information, Tuan Guru Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Md Kasim's stories and contributions have been published along with the stories of famous scholars such as Tok Kenali, Sheikh Muhammad Tahir Jalaluddin, and others. Here are the details of the book:

 

Title: Ulama Silam Dalam Kenangan

Year of Publication: 1992

Author: Ismail Mat

Publisher: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Publisher

 

 

 

Source:

FB Jejak Ulama Nusantara Official

FB Sejarah Ulama Melaka