Syeikh Abdullah Fahim

Syeikh Abdullah bin Ibrahim Badawi Fahim ( Jawi: ; 1869 – 27 April 1961) was a Malaysian Islamic scholar, nationalist, writer, and expert in Islamic astronomy (''falak''). He is noted for determining the date of Malaya's independence as 31 August 1957 when consulted by national leaders. He served as the first Mufti of Penang following Malaysian independence and was the paternal grandfather of Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Early life and education

Abdullah Fahim was born in Sha‘b ‘Ali, a district near Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, in 1869 CE, which was then under the Ottoman Empire. Some accounts suggest that he was born in Kampung Kubur Panjang, Kedah, before moving to Mecca with his father, Sheikh Ibrahim Tahir. During his time in Mecca, Abdullah Fahim studied under over 42 scholars across 15 Islamic disciplines, including prominent figures such as Syed Abu Bakr Syatha and Sheikh Wan Ahmad al-Fatani. In addition to religious studies, it is reported that he was exposed to discussions on international and Islamic politics. He was widely known by the names "Pak Him," "Chaiain," and locally as "Tok Ngah Lah."

Religious and educational work

Upon returning to Malaya in 1916, Abdullah Fahim began teaching Islamic theology from his family home in Kepala Batas, Penang, which would later become the political stronghold of his grandson. He later founded Madrasah Daeratul Ma’arif Al Wataniah in 1926. In 1932, he was invited by the Sultan of Perak to head Madrasah Idrisiah in Kuala Kangsar as the ''mudir'' (director). He continued to teach until 1947.

Abdullah Fahim was recognized for advancing Islamic astronomy (''falak''), producing prayer timetables and teaching astronomical calculations as part of ''fard al-kifayah'', a communal obligation in Islamic law. He was also known as a writer and poet, authoring works such as ''Khutbah Penyedar'' (Awakening Sermons) and compiling a prayer calendar. His reputation attracted students from across Malaya, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Political involvement

Though not directly involved in political parties, Abdullah Fahim was regarded as an influential advisor during the nationalist movement. Leaders such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and Onn Jaafar were reported to have sought his counsel on various matters.

He proposed 31 August 1957 as the date for Malaya’s independence, based on Islamic calendar calculations. According to reports, he advised that if the date was not accepted, the next suitable date would only occur in 1962. Abdullah Fahim also advised the Tunku to pursue multiracial cooperation to fulfill British conditions for independence and provided strategic recommendations regarding negotiations in London, suggesting departure by ship and return by air.

Abdullah Fahim was also linked to early Islamic political movements and was one of the founding figures of Hizbul Muslimin, an early Islamic political party that later evolved into the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). He was also one of the candidates for the presidency of PAS during its founding in 1951 but lost the position to Haji Ahmad Fuad, who had previously served as the head of UMNO's Religious Affairs Bureau.

Legacy

Abdullah Fahim died on 27 April 1961 in Kepala Batas, Kedah. He was popularly known as "the Pauper King" (''Raja Papa''), a nickname reflecting his modest lifestyle despite holding significant religious and social positions. His contributions to ''falak'' included a perpetual prayer timetable and an early astronomical observation site.

His descendants, including his son Ahmad Badawi and grandson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, would later become prominent leaders in UMNO, a rival political party historically opposed to PAS.

On 12 February 2008, then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the inaugural Chair of the Islam Hadhari Institute at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, named in honour of his grandfather. The institute was described as the first of its kind in the country, intended to promote a deeper understanding of Islam nationally and internationally.

See also

* Hizbul Muslimin
* Astronomy in the medieval Islamic world

References

Further reading

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People from Penang
Malaysian Muslims
Malaysian people of Yemeni descent
1869 births
1961 deaths