Sunday, January 26, 2014

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary | A saint's tomb in the city | Masjid Al-Bukhary Kuala Lumpur

Bismillah.

I think it's KL's best-kept secret. We all know that a saint almost always wants to remain hidden. Yet Allah sometimes reveals something special about His chosen servants.

Quietly nestled on the beautiful compound of Masjid Al-Bukhary (only 1 km away from the busiest tourist spot in KL), is a maqam of a pious man known as Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary.  

Maqam of Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary at Masjid Al-Bukhary Kuala Lumpur
(Died in 1918)
Locals and tourists, be they Muslims or non-Muslims who pass by Jalan Hang Tuah in KL would surely be captivated by the simply stunning Masjid Al-Bukhary. The masjid was officiated in 2007 by the then King of Malaysia, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

This relatively new masjid stands tall and majestic, thanks to the country's well-known tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary whose works of charity have left some beautiful impressions on Malaysian shore and abroad. MashaAllah.

But the masjid would not even be in existence if not for the other Al Bukhary - Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary who was working for the rather infamous Pudu Jail, located some 10-minutes walk away from the masjid.

Someone who's close to one of the present Imams of the masjid, revealed a heartwarming story related by the Imam.

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary was more than just a prison staff. He volunteered to care for the dead bodies of prisoners who either had served a death-sentence or died a natural death while being imprisoned at the Pudu Jail. The plot of land on which Masjid Al-Bukhary was built had been used as a cemetery for Muslim prisoners. 

Right behind the graveyard was, and still is, a reputable school of KL - the Victoria Institution. The school's former headmaster, who's also a priest, noticed the presence of Syed Lal Shah at the cemetery and offered him a piece of land for the purpose of building a musolla. On top of taking care of the dead prisoners' remains, Syed Lal Shah who's a deeply religious man could be seen spending long hours praying and making zikr there. This had "won" him the generous offer from the priest who perhaps had wanted Syed Lal Shah to pray more comfortably.   

It was also reported that in 1860 the then Sultan of Selangor state, Almarhum Sultan Abdul Samad granted the land area for the same purpose i.e. a musolla and a cemetery and even entrusted Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary to head the musolla which later became known as Babbul Jannah (The Doors of the Heavens). Babbul Jannah served its purpose for 147 years.

Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary was an Indian-Muslim by race. Many believed this pious man was, in fact, a saint. One curious imam wanted to verify this fact so he consulted his guru who prescribed some practices. The guru said if the imam were to fast and perform special prayers with an intention to know Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary, he would, by the Will of Allah, be able to see the saint in his dream. And he did meet the saint in his dream. Subhanallah!

Though a little sketchy, we now know the maqam (stature) of the owner of the sole maqam (grave) that occupies the grand Masjid Al-Bukhary. 

When the Al Bukhary Foundation (headed by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary) decided to rebuild Babbul Jannah circa 2004, the religious authorities were consulted on what to do with the remains at the adjoining cemetery. Approval (fatwa) was duly issued for the bones of the prisoners to be collected and buried in one space, and the body of Syed Lal Shah Al Bukhary - the former "master" of the cemetery and the musolla Babbul Jannah - be kept. And really we should say beautifully kept, as can be seen in the above photo. It is as though Allah wants to honor and repay Syed Lal Shah's devotion and vocation that he gets an abode within a beautiful 'House of Allah'. 
    
Al Fatihah to one and all ruhul quddus. Surely Allah rewards each and everyone who contributes to the deen

Allahu a'lam.
_________________________
Pic credit: H.E


Disclaimer:
- We are not implying here that the saint is in any way related to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary's family as this fact was not mentioned to us.
- Since this posting has received plenty of hits. I should mention here that the info on the mosque and tomb was provided by Mohamed Sidek - a committee member of the mosque at the time.

4 comments:

  1. MashAllah beautiful place,visited in 02 that time there was a shrine of Syed Lal Shah with a nice dome on the top,Sufis have been in all over the world to spread the message of peace and love, in modern time in USA a Sufi Saint Bawa Mohayuddin Qadri came from Srilanka in 1972 and passed away in 1986 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania was a wonderful personality , one can visit bmf.org

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  2. Syed Lal Shah is not from Bukhary family.

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  3. Syed Baba Lal Shah was not an indian muslim referred by the Blog owner. Lal are name of either Punjabi or Pathan people.Secondly, in late 80's, the whole cementary land together with the Madrasah was to be sold by to a developer company since the Madrasah was not been taken care by an appointed committee. There was no Imam appointed to be incharged during that time. No on time Azan was given except if there are people there. Some passer by will dropped at for prayers occasionally there will have some visitors to the Baba Tomb.A very pious man, Late Haji Shariff Pir Baksh was a regular visitor there was given demolished notice by Omar(A restaurant operator) in the cementary area issued by the authority. Haji Shariff formed a committe to readministrate the Madrasah and cementary with Omar together. The Madrasah activities was supported by the people nearby the area and Malaysian local Pakistani Punjabis. Numerous appeals was made to DBKL on the demolish notice which was fruitful with the help of En Hamid Sattar (An Officer from DBKL). We should thankful to Allah swt who arranged people like late Haji Mohd Shariff,(The First President of the Mosque) after the activation process of the Madradah when received demolish notification) Omar, Hamid Sattar and all who have contributed to saved the whole land from development, otherwise today, will be seeing high rise commercial building there instead of the mosque which was build by Syed Bukhary. From historical point of view, it should be named as Masjid Baba Lal Shah instead Babbul Jannah or Masjid Syed Al Bukhary as to maintained the originality.

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  4. i had a mystical experience when i visited the original place. it was back in late 90's

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