Dato Koyah 'Malbari Saint'

Alhamdulilah, on the same day we got the chance to visit the Maqam of 'Dato Koyah' or his real name is Syed Mustapha Idris. I am not too sure why he was known as 'Dato Koyah'. There was a 'sarbat' stall outside the maqam and the door is always lock, i guess. When we arrive at the maqam, an old Indian man who was busy serving tea to the customers, saw us and he quickly unlock the gate and door of the maqam. He welcomed us with warm gesture and showing us the way to the maqam. All of a sudden me and my wife felt we were in India. The fragrance smell and surrounding make us thought we were really in India. SubanaAllah. Its really amazing.The way how the maqam was built also reminded me how the maqam in India look like. I hope one day me and wife can travel to India to pay visit to the Sufi saints. The maqam also reminded me of Nagore Sharif

'Dato Koyah' was from the Malabar coast in southern India. He was a mendicant there, often wandering from many places as he was teaching, healing the sick, until one day, an incident happened that forced him to flee. He was accused of a murder he did not commit, he fled from the Malabar coast to Penang some time in the early 19th century. When he arrived in Penang, he settled under a tree which was today is his maqam. He became a labourer in order to earn a living although he was very popular among the Malbaris and Tamil Muslim community as a spiritual guide and as an Ustaz to them.

There were many stories of his qaramah (myth, specialty).He was known to feed many people from the porridge of just a small pot. He was also famous for producing candies out form his pockets for children. There was a time when Dato Koyah was arrested along with the fellow labourers for demonstrating against the beatings inflicted by their British superiors. Somehow, he managed to walk out of the jail very next day. Not only that, while the workers were incarcerated, the road work that they were to do had been miraculously completed. From time to time with his humbleness and willing to help the people, Dato Koyah won the respect of the British authorities.

When he passed away, he was buried on the same place where he settled which is under a tree. His students erected the place. The British honored him by naming Jalan Dato Koyah after him. The place is near Kampung Malabar. On the 5th of Safar, Tamil Muslims and Malbaris will be celebrating his 'haul' (tahlil) a big grand occassion in remembering his deeds and contribution to society. may Allah bless him.

Shaykh Omar Basheer "Light of Inheritor" in Penang

I am sorry for not updating much info or my backdate travelogue on this blog at the moment. For such lame reason, I would probably say I am too busy. Here we go with the late one!

One of the few maqam of Awliyah in Penang that is prominent Shaykh Omar Basheer from Iraq while there was a narration indicated hes from Hadramawt, Yemen.The reliable source claim its Hadramawt. It was also written he was the Awliyah whom brought the Tariqah Naqshbandi Khalidi to Penang and introduced Suluk through the teaching of the Tariqah. He did his seclusion in a complete covered wooden house which still remain intact today. He was from the Naqshbandi Khalidi thus he got the title al Khalidi too. (Most of the Naqshbandi Tariqah is the Khalidiyah which came from the Spiritual Lineage of Mawlana Shaykh Khalid al Bahgdadi whom maqam is in Damascus, Syria). I'm not too sure if most of the Naqshbandi Khalidi in this region is from his spread. I guess when we read the book Naqshbandi in Nusantara by Professor Martin van Bruinessen we will get the clear understanding. I am dont know about his birth date but it was written he died at 1881.

He live during the period of British colonization and was like by the British government. 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. In fact, the British build a house for him which he lived till he died. After his death, his son Shaykh Zakaria took over his post and continue his works for dakwah and other religious duty for the society. Thus he became the first Mufti for Penang. His another son Shaykh Yahya pursuit on the same journey and became the first Qadi in Penang. His house in 1917 evolved into a madrasah for Quranic Studies.

His maqam is s located at Kampung Melayu, Ayer Hitam, Penang, underneath a 35-foot white tower. It was said the maqam was built by the Muslim laborers from India. Its one of the most beautiful place I ever visited, reminded me as if I am in Middle east. Beautiful design of architecture and surrounded with tranquility atmosphere. Many visitors as far as from Middle east from the Tariqah of Naqshbandi or any other Tariqah will always pay visit to Shaykh Umar Maqam. may Allah bless him.

p/s: When I was there, I did told my wife this maqam reminded us of our beloved Shaykh Zakaria Bagharib. The father is Shaykh Omar and the son name is Shaykh Zakaria and they were descendant from Hadramawt, Yemen. May Allah bless his lovers and the inheritors of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Lowest Photo is Maqam Shaykh Zakaria bin Omar Basheer
The Photo taken by Ainun Harun

The wait is over!!! Madeehul Mustafa CD 'Mawlay' is out now

Alhamdulilah, finally the CD of Madeehul Mustafa is out now!! For all lovers of Prophet s.a.w, dont miss the chance to buy this 9 tracks of Qasidah with soothing voices and Shaam rhythm which will make you yearning more for the love of Prophet s.a.w.

The CD is available at Manzil Mustafa and Wardah Books.

For any enquiries and details do email us, inshaAllah