|
|
|
|
A Great Saint of the Far East
|
|
May 5, 2001
From Bandung we drove two hours to the zawiyah of Kha. Shohibul Wafa Tajul Arifin (Abah Anom: which means: young master). Shaykh Kha. Shohibul Wafa Tajul Arifin was 18 when he was conferred the title of Abah Anom - the young master and at the age of 41, upon the death of his father, the founder of Tareeqah Qadiriyah- Naqsyabandiyah (TQN) Pondok Pesantren Suryalaya, he was appointed as murshid to the TQN Order. |
|
|
The Shaykh Tajul Arifin cannot move--he was brought in in his wheelchair rolled into the reception room. He cannot move his hands or feet due to intense pain. He cannot even move his head or tongue except rarely. He is not even able to smile. He is 10 years older than Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. Though apparently frail and seemingly in a delicate condition, this in no way hampers his ability to oversee the running of the Tareeqah's affairs and the various educational institutions it manages, not only in Suryalaya but throughout Indonesia. Abah Anom is the highest-level authority who issues all essential directives on operational matters, and plans for the continued development of these institutions. It is the Shaykh's personal inclination to be less public and to observe periods of meditative reflection at this time. Notwithstanding these circumstances, the Shaykh by nature is a quiet man who is frequently seen in contemplative mood. However, granting audience to his mureeds is still a daily affair, which the Shaykh treasures. |
||
|
Upon entry, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim's kissed his hands and smiled. After dinner, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim gave a talk in which he told us "don't think Tajul Arifin is asleep, he is sending to my heart what to say to you!" He mentioned Abah Anom as one of those who "carry al-nur al-Muhammadi." The whole room was filled with tears of joy . Afterwards, Taajul Arifin (Abah Anom) signaled to his mureeds that he wanted to make a invocation (something very rare), and more tears of joy came down upon hearing his voice for the first time in many years. His mureeds come from all over Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore. He is truly a great saint. |
|
|
Just before leaving, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim
prayed two rakats after which he went to Abah Anom and gave him initiation
into the Naqshbandi-Haqqaniyya tariqat. |
![]() |
|
|
|
||
| Photo of Abah Anom in his 50's | Aboh Anom's father, a great wali. | A rare painting of Sayyidina Abdul Qadir al-Jilani. |
|
Abah Anom then asked Mawlana Shaykh Nazim through his heart to give his youngest son, who was attending classes in the compound at the time, the news that he has appointed him as his successor. Mawlana giving initiation to a nephew of Tajul Arifin Abah Anom. |
||
|
Here the crowd gathered to wish Mawlana Shaykh
Nazim and Mawlana Shaykh Hisham a warm yet sad farewell after this event.
We then drove six hours back to Jakarta under full police escort. |
|
| May 4 | May 6 | |
The Naqshbandi Eastern World Tour 2001 is
presented by the Islamic Supreme Council of America
and its Chairman, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani.
1400 Sixteenth Street NW, #B112, Washington DC 20036 USA
Members of the media, public sector,
research and interfaith groups are encouraged
to contact our Washington offices for more information.
Please email dilshad@islamicsupremecouncil.org