Stories Evolving Souls; Prophets, Shufis & Shalih People
Kyai Ahmad Syadizili

Birth and Education

Kyai Ahmad Syadzili was born in 1889 in Tasikmalaya, West Java. Since childhood he was orphaned, because both of his parents died in the holy land while performing the Hajj. From childhood he lived and was cared for by his aunt.

Because his aunt was very old (about 120 years) then the aunt entrusted him to Sheikh Abdul Fattah, one of the scholars and murshid tariqah Idrisiyah who was very famous at that time.

It is in the guidance of Shaykh Fattah that Syadzili (small and young) gets a lot of knowledge and spiritual forging. Shaykh Fattah really took care of him like his own son. But precisely because of that too Shaykh Fattah did not hesitate in educating Syadzili.

Once Syadzili was given the task to stand guard on the pesantren terrace. Keep going for a very long time. Syadzili is like a security guard who sits on the terrace of the pesantren, very little time off. Even if rest is not provided bedding/mat. All forging was received obediently “sam’an watha’atan” by Syadzili. It made him receive a spill of knowledge, barokah as well as love from his teacher.

After getting a strong provision of knowledge and spirit, Shaykh Fattah gave his duty to go to the holy land. Performing the Hajj while drawing the ocean of knowledge from the scholars of the archipelago and the world who settled in the holy land.

Because it is very interesting and extraordinary, Kyai Syadzili's journey during this pilgrimage we fit in a special story. Please open at :

Teacher – Teacher

Kyai Ahmad Syadzili's journey continued until he returned to his homeland. After Shaykh Abdul Fattah who guided him since childhood. He learned from the scholars in the holy land. There is no detailed record of who he is ngangsu kawruh (saved knowledge). But at that time, a person who went for Hajj, must also come to the scholars. Because the journey of Hajj that takes months, it is a pity if in the holy land only briefly. Science students usually spend years there.

After the Hajj, Kyai Ahmad Syadzili was ordered by his teacher to return to study to Shaykh Kholil Bangkalan, Madura. He departed rather worriedly, because he heard that Shaykh Kholil had died. But the teacher said, “Don't go home before you meet Sheikh Kholil”.

Obey the orders of the teacher, that is the provision to go to the customs (tomb) Shaykh Kholil. He wanted to study to Shaykh Kholil, but because he was dead, then he “nyantri” in his tomb. 3 (three) months he riyadloh, read the Qur’an, read, gift fatihah and berto’a to Allah in maqbaroh “guru” it.

Until finally, one night, Shaykh Kholil met him. Some say, Shaykh Kholil met him in a dream. It is also said that he was found Yaqdzatan (in a conscious state/not a dream). Wallahu A’lam. Shaykh Kholil approved of him, ordering him to continue his journey south.

He obeyed even though he did not know where the purpose was. The young man travels south. Every time there is a pesantren, ulama, he will teach. In the new he stopped and taught to Habib Abu Bakr bin Muhammad Assegaf. He stayed in the new for a long time. Even Habib Abu Bakr became the teacher he loved so much.

Then continue the journey, stop at Pasuruan, study to Habib Ja’far bin Shaykhon As-Segaf. Then continue the journey to Malang.

After arriving at the plaza Malang, there was a “like” beggar coming and holding his hand. Invite him to the mosque and hand him over to DKM Masjid Noor, Kidul Pasar, Malang. After delivering, the beggar just left. In the future, Kyai Ahmad Syadzili, believed that the beggar who delivered it was the prophetyullah Khidir ‘alaihis greeting.

From this mosque he began to serve his knowledge. Even some mosques he stopped to preach. Until finally he migrated in Pendem Village, Batu, Malang. In the village that became the nest and base of the PKI, he established a pesantren which he named Riyadhul Jannah. The pesantren continues to be preserved by his sons and descendants until now.

Karomah and Privileges

Sometimes telling the caromah of a lover of God makes our view narrow to his people. That is to say, as if the glory of God given to him was limited only to his carom. Not so.

Kyai Ahmad Syadzili, has a broad knowledge and nature of istiqomah. Although he was very sick, he was “ very light” if it was time to establish prayer. Not even just his prayer, he still conducts the usual wirid he did when healthy. Even worse, it is not only for the five-time prayer of fardlu, but the daily prayer of the sunnah and tahajjud at night. This is really amazing.

Some time before he died, he had called his son, Gus Abdurrahim, to his room. When Gus Rohim entered the room, it turned out that his father was crying with a rather long cry, until Gus Rohim confused how to.

After waiting for his father's cry to subside, Gus Rohim approached Kyai Ahmad Syadzili and asked why the father was crying in such a way. His father replied that the pesantren was preparing for the event of the Prophet's Maulid, and just now Kanjeng Nabi came to him. That's why she cried because she was so happy. Mafhum Gus Rohim, when he entered he smelled a fragrant smell like he had never smelled before. Turns out this is why.

In addition, he was also known to be close to the scholars at that time, such as Habib Muhammad bin Husain Ba’bud Lawang, Kyai Abdul hamid Pasuruan, and Kyai Ahmad Qusyairi Pasuruan. Even Kyai Abdul Hamid Pasuruan told his son, “Your father is a guardian of Allah. God's Beloved. He is famous (very famous) in the sky despite masturbating (hidden /not widely known by people) on earth.

Died

Kyai Ahmad Syadzili died leaving the knowledge, pesantren Riyadhul jannah and son of his son who were all useful. Before he died he assigned his son to pilgrimage to his teacher Habib Abu Bakr Assegaf. In addition to pilgrimage, his son was given the task of seeing the grave of his teacher in detail. Thus it was because he wanted his tomb to be made to imitate the tomb of his teacher, from form to writing. And so he expressed his incredible love. May we get his barokah, his asror, his knowledge and also all his teachers. Amiin…

Alhamdulillaahi robbil ‘alamin

Kertanegara, Monday Wage, September 16, 2019 M/16 Muharram 1441 H

Wawan Setiawan

Source: Al-Kisah Magazine No. 07 /2009.