Shekh Mohd Hussen Bakar Rafie, born in the holy city of Makkah passed away shortly after 6pm on the 2nd of July, 2007 AD@ 16 Jumaada al-Thaany 1428 AH at the grand old age of 107.
He was the major strength behind AlMashoor Islamic School, counting many political & religous leaders as his students. Among them were Dr. Burhanuddin Al-Helmi, Datuk Dr. Hassan Din, a number of Muftis of many states plus numerous other well-known figures whose name just slipped my mind at the moment.
Tunku Abdul Rahman used to call him 'The Tiger of Malaya' for his fiery preaching during the fight for independence more than 50 years ago and they remained good friends until Tunku's demise many years later.
He lived such a full life, loved, respected and sometimes even 'feared' by those whose life he's touched. In those days, his signature confirms enterance to Al-Azhar University, there are a few very well known 'ulama' who got to where they are through this method - of course they were tested by him first, his standard's very high!
His wife Zaynab Salleh Azzahari who passed away in 1979 bore him 10 children, 7 boys and 3 girls plus an adopted daughter, the late Aunt Hayati who died on Mother's Day. He was also blessed with 28 grandchildren and 32 (I'm not exactly sure of this, could be more) greatgrandchildren, his namesake Hussen Allayth being the youngest.
He was my grandfather and I know he is in a better place now but nothing can describe how numb I feel at this moment. I pray for strength to face the funeral arrangement tomorrow. I have to try my best - for him, for my dad & mom and for all my love ones.
From God we came, to Him we shall return.
7 comments:
Al-Fatehah. semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya dan menempatkannya di semping mereka yang beriman.
Be strong Athene and like you said - he is in a better world.
Athene,
My goodness : Your grandfather was THE tiger of Malaya?
My condolences to you and your family. AlFatihah.
May Allah bless his soul.
Take care.
dear athene,
i hope you don't mind. I feel compelled to post about you grandfather's passing.
regards
nuraina
Al-Fatehah .. takziah Athene, to you and family. Came here via Nuraina Samad's blog. If I'm not mistaken, Pak Lah also went to Al-Mashoor.
Al-Fatihah. Saya turut berdukacita menerima berita ini melalui blog Nuraina. Saya kenal dengan Almarhum Ustaz dan amat menyanjung tinggi kewibawaan almarhum sebagai seorang tokoh dan ahli pendidik Islam yang dihormati. Almarhum adalah sahabat karib almarhum bapa saya. Semasa hayatnya, almarhum tidak pernah tidak menghadiri majlis-majlis ilmu yang diadakan di kampung saya di Jalan Burma dimana ramai kenalan almarhum tinggal. Semua rakan almarhum telahpun pulang ke rahmatullah. Almarhum adalah orang yang bertanggungjawab dan tenaga penting bagi Madrasatul Mashur Al-Islamiah (sebelum ia dikenali sebagai Sekolah Arab Almashoor). Pembukaan sebuah sekolah khusus untuk Muslimah di Jalan Lunas adalah atas daya usaha almarhum bapanya, Ustaz Abu Bakar dan almarhum sendiri berperanan besar dalam membangunkan sekolah itu sehingga muncul sebagai antara yang terbaik di Tanah Melayu dan mungkin di Nusantara.
Saya agak terkilan kerana tidak dapat ke Pulau Pinang untuk menziarahi dan turut sama mengiringi jenazah ke tanah perkuburan.
Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat-Nya ke atas ruh almarhum dan menempatkannya di kalangan para solihin. Amin.
Athene, my mistake - checked with my hubby. Pak Lah didn't go to Al-Mashoor but his father did.
Seorang Arab yang agung di Penang dan Malaysia, boleh dikatakan "lelaki Arab terakhir di Pulau Pinang". Saya mengenali Almarhum sejak zaman kanak2 lagi kerana sering ikut bapa saya, Shaikh Ahmad Baladram mengajar di Al-Mashoor Islamic School, Lebuh Teck Soon. Pernah juga sekali dua berkunjung ke rumah almarhum ketika aidil fitri. Kadang2 jumpa abang Fuad di KOMTAR.
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