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Draft:Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin

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  • Comment: 47 citations using only 4 sources. The google books links in the cites are not helpful. Flat Out (talk) 06:30, 31 March 2025 (UTC)

Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin (7 March 1913 – 1 January 2006) was an Indonesian ulama, politician, and writer.

Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin
Zakaria in 1986
Born
Zakaria

(1913-03-07)7 March 1913
Bangkinang, Kampar Regency, Dutch East Indies
Died1 January 2006(2006-01-01) (aged 92)
Bengkalis, Riau, Indonesia
Burial placeTaman Makam Islam Harapan
Occupations
  • Ulama
  • politician
  • writer
Spouse(s)
Mariah binti Ahmad
​
​
(m. 1933; died 1955)​

Siti Zainab binti Kimpal
​
​
(m. 1956)​
Children13

Early life and education

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Zakaria with his relatives in Malaysia in December 1969

Zakaria was born on 7 March 1913 in Bangkinang, Kampar Regency, as the eldest child and son of the three children of Muhammad Amin and Taraima, who came from Kuok Village, located not far from Zakaria’s birthplace.[1][2][3][4][5] He had two younger brothers named Hasyim bin Muhammad Amin and Ahmad bin Muhammad Amin. Zakaria also had a half-brother named Ahmad Sanusi bin Muhammad Amin and two half-sisters, Siti Maryam binti Muhammad Amin and Syarafiah Norwawi binti Muhammad Amin, from his father’s second marriage.[6][7] Zakaria’s siblings worked as farmers and traders.[6][7] In terms of education, they could only attend elementary-level schooling (Sekolah Rakyat/SR) because pursuing higher education was extremely difficult during the colonial era.[6][7] All five of Zakaria’s full and half-siblings lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[6][7] They made a living by farming and trading glass and ceramic goods, and they gradually became Malaysian citizens in the 1960s in accordance with the regulations of the Malaysian government.[6][7]

Both of his parents worked as ready-to-wear clothing traders in rotating markets that moved from one village to another along the Riau-West Sumatra road.[1][2] They owned a herd of water buffaloes as livestock, which were grazed along the ridges of the rice fields they owned.[1][2] It was on these rice field ridges that Zakaria spent his childhood, helping his parents tend to and herd their livestock.[1][2] The life of Zakaria’s parents, who worked so diligently without neglecting worship, left a special impression within him.[1][2]

As the eldest son, Zakaria was routinely awakened by his parents at four in the morning to help prepare their goods for sale and to perform the Fajr prayer in congregation on time.[8][9] Afterward, he would spend the day responsible for looking after the livestock.[8][10] Zakaria was born into a family with strong religious practices and discipline.[8][10] In raising their children, his parents emphasized several key principles; they instilled honesty, taught them not to meddle in others’ affairs, to avoid confrontation when provoked, never to harm others, and to always help those in need.[8][10]

During his childhood, Zakaria felt he had no outstanding advantages compared to his siblings, so he never received special treatment from his parents or younger brothers and sisters.[8][10] His parents showed no favoritism in their affection toward their children, so Zakaria and his siblings grew up in a loving environment.[8][10] In his early years, Zakaria was much like any other child.[8][10] While other children enjoyed playing marbles and flying kites, so did he.[8][10] However, Zakaria preferred herding buffalo along the rice field ridges, occasionally bathing with his friends in the Batang Kampar River, which flowed near his grazing area.[11][12] When it came to friendship, Zakaria made no distinctions, and he was close with all his friends.[13][14]

In 1920, at the age of seven, Zakaria enrolled at the Volkschool (Sekolah Rakyat) in Bangkinang but only attended up to the third grade due to his lack of interest.[15][16][4][5] At the time, he believed religious studies held far greater value than secular sciences.[15][16] Noticing his deep inclination toward religion, his uncle Abdullah and aunt Fatimah took him to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca in 1923, when he was ten.[15][16][3] The journey to Mecca at that time was still made by ship from Teluk Bayur Port in Padang, West Sumatra, and was quite exhausting because the KLM ship owned by the Dutch East Indies government stopped frequently at multiple ports in its colonies, making the trip take three to four months.[15][17]

In Mecca, Zakaria and his uncle became acquainted with many Hajj pilgrims from British Malaya.[15][18] While performing the Hajj rituals, they also studied religious sciences with renowned scholars there, including Ali Al-Maliki, Sheikh Umar Al-Turki, Umar Hamdan, Ahmad Fathoni, and Sheikh Muhammad Amin Quthbi.[15][18][4][5] Together with pilgrims from various countries, Zakaria would sit cross-legged in circles surrounding these teachers after obligatory prayers to study or recite religious knowledge.[19][18] The subjects he learned included Quranic studies, exegesis (tafsir), hadith, hadith methodology (mustolah hadith), theology (tauhid), rhetoric (balagha), and the art of Arabic poetry (qonafi).[20][18] Accompanied by his uncle and aunt, Zakaria then settled in British Malaya to further his religious education, as the region was widely known at the time for its strict adherence to Islamic teachings.[20][18] His scholarly lineage (sanad) traced back to Sheikh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi, who once served as the Shafi’i imam at the Great Mosque of Mecca.[18] Sheikh Ahmad Khatib was also the teacher of Sheikh Ahmad Dahlan (founder of Muhammadiyah) and Hasyim Asy’ari (founder of Nahdlatul Ulama).[18]

In Temerloh, Zakaria studied religion for six years until his teacher, Muhammad Saleh whose father was of Arab descent and mother was a native of Pahang, passed away.[20][18] Under Muhammad Saleh, Zakaria not only deepened his knowledge in the aforementioned subjects but also mastered Matan Jurumiyah (a classical Arabic grammar text) in its entirety.[20][18] Zakaria later moved from Pasir Mas to Kuala Lipis, where he stayed for nine months until the area was devastated by floods in 1929.[20][18] Amid these circumstances, Zakaria and several companions traveled to Bengkalis, stopping at the Islamic school of Masjid Raya Parit Bangkong, led by Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad, to further advance their religious studies.[20][21] Besides Zakaria and Ahmad, other teachers at the mosque included Muhammad Toha, Muhammad Sidik, and Muhammad Ismail, who all contributed to the teaching there.[20][22][23]

Career

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Zakaria (second from the right) in December 1969

Zakaria began his career as a teacher at Masjid Raya Parit Bangkong in 1929 at the age of 16.[24][22][4] In 1930, a year after returning from British Malaya, he wrote several works that became topics of discussion at the time.[25][26] Among them was his treatise on the qunut prayer during Fajr, titled Balqurramhi fi Sunniyyati Qunut Subhi, published in the magazine At-Tabib in Cikampek.[27][28][29][5] In 1932, Zakaria wrote again about the issue of usholli (prayer intention) in the magazine Hidah Benar in British Malaya.[27][28][29][5] By 1939, he had written about the number of rak’ahs in Tarawih prayers and compiled twelve Friday and Eid sermons.[27][2][29][5] According to Zakaria, these jurisprudential differences (khilafiyah) were discussed not only domestically but also abroad, including in British Malaya.[27] Having studied in Mecca and British Malaya, he felt compelled to clarify these matters proportionately, hoping to prevent mutual accusations among Muslims.[27] However, due to Zakaria’s frequent relocations during the aggression period, his written works have unfortunately been lost to time.[27] When conditions normalized, he authored a collection of muhadharah (lectures) for madrasah students covering fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), akhlaq (ethics), tauhid (theology), and other subjects.[27] This book later became essential reference material for his students.[27]

In 1933, following the advice of Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad, Zakaria returned to British Malaya, specifically to Bagan Datuk, Perak, to deepen his Islamic knowledge. [24][22][23] In 1937, after returning from Perak, Zakaria and Tuan Guru Haji Ahmad established Al-Khairiyah Islamic Boarding School, the first formal school in Bengkalis with a classical education system.[24][22][23][30][5] The school was located on Sultan Syarif Kasim Street, on the site of the former Dayang Dermah Orphanage.[3][31] The land belonged to Abdul Rahman.[3] Students at Al-Khairiyah came not only from Bengkalis but also from various regions, including Selat Panjang, Bagan Siapi-api, Rupat, Tanah Putih, Merbau, Sungai Apit, Bukit Batu, Bangkinang, and other areas.[24][3] Zakaria taught at the school for six years without receiving any salary.[31][5] When the Japanese occupation reached Bengkalis in 1943, Al-Khairiyah was closed, and its students were sent back to their respective hometowns.[32][22][23][31][5]

As Indonesia’s independence approached in 1945, Zakaria was among the figures who actively propagated the spirit of Indonesian independence to his students and the general public.[31][5] This effort aimed to ignite the fighting spirit of the Bengkalis people at the time.[31][5] He also worked tirelessly alongside Abdullah Nur to rally the people under the theme hubbul wathan minal iman (love for the homeland is part of faith).[33]

During the Dutch Military Aggression II, specifically on 29 December 1948, the Dutch naval forces launched initial attacks on Bengkalis, Selatpanjang, and other areas.[32] Zakaria actively participated in the struggle to defend Indonesia’s independence against the Dutch, who sought to recolonize Indonesia following Japan’s defeat by allied forces.[32] As one of the war’s victors, the Dutch made every effort to regain control of Indonesia by riding on the coattails of the allied forces through NICA (Netherlands Indies Civil Administration), which began occupying Tanjungpinang, Pekanbaru, Bengkalis, and other regions.[32] The defense of Bengkalis City was entrusted to one company led by Lieutenant Mansur, a headquarters company under Endut Gani’s command, one headquarters platoon, and a detachment of police and military personnel.[32] The defense forces were ordered to prioritize coastal defense to block enemy troops attempting to land.[32] After engaging in guerrilla warfare across Bengkalis Island for one and a half months – moving through villages like Kelapapati, Pedekik, Bantan Tua, and Selat Baru – the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) ultimately withdrew to mainland Sumatra.[32] As leader of Laskar Rakyat Sabilillah (the Sabilillah People’s Militia) and Chairman of the Bengkalis Regency People’s Struggle Organization (Badan Perjuangan Rakyat) under Captain Iskandar’s command, Zakaria joined forces with the TNI in armed resistance against the returning Dutch forces attempting to retake Bengkalis.[34][31][5] The Republican government subsequently assigned Zakaria to relocate to Dumai, where he joined Battalion II/V’s public relations unit and led the movement division with the titular rank of Sergeant Major, remaining under Captain Iskandar’s leadership.[34][18][3][31][5]

In December 1949, Zakaria was inaugurated by the Regent of Bengkalis, Muhammad, to serve in religious affairs as the head of Islamic governance.[34][18][3] In 1950, he was appointed as the first Head of the Religious Affairs Office in Bengkalis Regency, a position he held until 1972.[34][18][3] Zakaria also served as a member of the Bengkalis Regency Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD).[3]

Despite wartime conditions, Zakaria continued providing Islamic education during his breaks, moving from house to house in Kelapapati, Pedekik, and Wonosari.[34] During peacetime, he maintained these educational activities, though conducted on the modest porch of his home.[34]

On 7 August 1955, Zakaria participated in a Bengkalis-hosted conference of four provisional regional people’s representative councils (DPRDS) (Kampar, Bengkalis, Riau Islands and Indragiri) as Bengkalis Regency’s DPRDS representative.[35][36][5] The meeting unanimously demanded autonomous status for Riau, then still part of Central Sumatra Province.[35][37][5] Thanks to Zakaria’s efforts with other leaders, Riau Province was officially established on August 9, 1957 under Emergency Law No. 19 of 1957, which established the Level I regions of West Sumatra, Jambi, and Riau.[38][37][5]

Zakaria was a member of the Masyumi Party led by Muhammad Natsir.[39][40][5] After the Old Order government dissolved Masyumi on 15 August 1960, he joined Nahdlatul Ulama organization, believing it to be the most relevant Islamic mass organization that continued to fight for Islamic values in line with his understanding.[39][29][5]

Zakaria at the front of MDTA Mahbatul Ulum in 1980

To continue the legacy of Al-Khairiyah Islamic Boarding School, on 17 July 1963, Zakaria established a madrasa named MDTA Mahbatul Ulum, which included Ibtidaiyah (elementary school), Tsanawiyah (middle school), and Aliyah (high school) levels, located on Gerilya Street, Kelapapati.[34][41][3][37][5] The construction of this madrasa was entirely self-funded by him together with the local community.[37][5] In addition to leading the institution, Zakaria also taught with a focus on Islamic religious studies based on classical Islamic texts.[5] Until the end of his life, he taught without receiving any payment or compensation.[37] The students who studied at MDTA Mahbatul Ulum from its founding until his passing – amounting to thousands – were not charged any fees.[37] Meanwhile, for the madrasa’s operational costs, including teachers’ salaries, Zakaria gathered donations from benefactors every month.[37]

In addition to teaching at MDTA Mahbatul Ulum, Zakaria was actively involved in teaching at mosques and musallas, such as Parit Bangkong Great Mosque, Kelapapati Jami’ Mosque, Raudhatul Jannah Musalla of Damon, Kayu Manis Musalla, and others.[42][41][37][5] He also served as a judge for the district-level Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) competition starting in 1964 and taught at the YPPI Bengkalis religious teacher education program (PGA) from 1964 until its closure in 1970.[42][41][37][5]

In 1974, Zakaria was appointed as the chairman of the advisory council of the United Development Party (Partai Persatuan Pembangunan/PPP) representing Nahdlatul Ulama, a position he held until 1986.[42][41][29][5] He also served as a board member of the Nahdlatul Ulama branch in Bengkalis Regency.[41]

In 1982, Zakaria, together with the local community, initiated the establishment of Al-Ishlah Mosque (formerly known as Surau Haji Zakaria) located on Kelapapati Darat Street, Bengkalis.[42][37][5] The mosque was intended as a place for the community to perform prayers and engage in other social and religious activities.[37][5] The mosque was located not far from his residence and MDTA Mahbatul Ulum. Based on the endowment declaration, Al-Ishlah Mosque, which was originally established as a surau (prayer hall), was built on land endowed by Abbas in 1974.[37]

Personal life

[edit]
Zakaria with his family in 2000

In 1933, Zakaria married Mariah binti Ahmad, a homemaker, and was blessed with three sons: Nashruddin, an employee at the Religious Affairs Office of Bengkalis Regency, Azrai’e, a lecturer at Asysyafi’iyah University of Jakarta, and Syakrani Zakaria, a harbour master official in Bengkalis; as well as four daughters: Aminah, a teacher who served as principal of State Junior High School 2 of Bengkalis, Zaharah, a politician who served as a member of the Bengkalis Regional People’s Representative Council (formerly DPRD Tingkat II) from the Karya Pembangunan faction, Ulfah, a midwife at Manado General Hospital, and Hanim Zakaria, an elementary school teacher in Pekanbaru.[43][7][4][5] Their marriage ended with Mariah’s passing in February 1955.[43][7]

In 1956, Zakaria married for the second time to Siti Zainab binti Kimpal, an actress, and was blessed with three sons: Zulkarnain, a provincial agricultural officer for Riau in Pekanbaru, Nukman, a retired Level II food crops agriculture official in Bengkalis, and Gamal Abdul Nasir Zakaria, a lecturer in Islamic education and Arabic at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education, Universiti Brunei Darussalam; as well as three daughters: Rita Puspa, a civil servant who served as deputy director of services at Bengkalis General Hospital, Nida Suryani, a science teacher at Al-Amin Junior High School in Bengkalis, and Sri Purnama Zakaria, an English teacher at State Senior High School 2 of Bengkalis.[44][16][4][5] Their marriage lasted until Zakaria’s passing in January 2006.[45][16]

Death

[edit]
Zakaria's grave at Taman Makam Islam Harapan

Zakaria passed away at his residence in Kelapapati, Bengkalis, on 1 January 2006, at 06:00 AM due to diabetes, which he had suffered from, at the age of 92.[46][4] He was buried at Taman Makam Islam Harapan (Harapan Islamic Cemetery) on the same day.[46][47]

References

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Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Anuwar 1991, p. 55.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Fariq 2020, p. 143.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pahlefi 2022, p. 135.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 67.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Suryaman, Babam (25 October 2024). "Mengenal Lebih Dekat H Zakaria Bin Muhammad Amin Tokoh Pejuang Riau". Diskominfotik Kabupaten Bengkalis (in Indonesian). Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e Anuwar 1991, p. 64.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Fariq 2020, p. 146.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Anuwar 1991, p. 56.
  9. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 143–144.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Fariq 2020, p. 144.
  11. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 56–57.
  12. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 144–145.
  13. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 57.
  14. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 145.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Anuwar 1991, p. 58.
  16. ^ a b c d e Fariq 2020, p. 147.
  17. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 147–148.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Fariq 2020, p. 148.
  19. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 58–59.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Anuwar 1991, p. 59.
  21. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 148–149.
  22. ^ a b c d e Fariq 2020, p. 149.
  23. ^ a b c d Pahlefi 2022, p. 134.
  24. ^ a b c d Anuwar 1991, p. 60.
  25. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 72-73.
  26. ^ Fariq 2020, p. 152.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h Anuwar 1991, p. 73.
  28. ^ a b Fariq 2020, p. 153.
  29. ^ a b c d e Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 70.
  30. ^ Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 67–68.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 68.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Anuwar 1991, p. 61.
  33. ^ Pahlefi 2022, p. 158.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g Anuwar 1991, p. 62.
  35. ^ a b Pahlefi 2022, p. 187.
  36. ^ Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 68–69.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 69.
  38. ^ Pahlefi 2022, p. 188.
  39. ^ a b Fariq 2020, p. 156.
  40. ^ Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2023, p. 69–70.
  41. ^ a b c d e Fariq 2020, p. 150.
  42. ^ a b c d Anuwar 1991, p. 63.
  43. ^ a b Anuwar 1991, p. 65.
  44. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 65-66.
  45. ^ Anuwar 1991, p. 66.
  46. ^ a b Fariq 2020, p. 158.
  47. ^ Wilaela, Fikri & Armis 2022, p. 67.

General and cited sources

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