Habib Husein Alkadrie

1. Biography

Habib Husein Alkadrie was born in Tarim Ar-Ridha Hadlramaut, South Yemen, in 1120 H (abbreviated from Hijriyah, an islamic lunar calendar starting from Prophet emigration from Mecca to Medina) /1708 A.D. His complete name is as-Sayyid/as-Syarif Husein bin al-Habib Ahmad/Muhammad bin al-Habib Husein bin al-Habib Muhammad Alkadrie. He was called Jamalul Lail and Ba `Alawi, whose lineage linked to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His honoured name was Tuan Besar Mempawah.

When he was 18-year old, his parents exerted in him Islamic teaching. In fact, after then he received education of science as well. He had ever wandered  to Negeri Kualaindi and spent four years there. In one of big cities in South Yemen, he learned religious knowledge and science under supervision of Sayyed Muhammad Hamid. He also understood well the discourses of foreign affairs. Besides, he was trained in sailing, and trading. For that, he took part of a trade journey in Persian gulf and travelled to Kalkuta and western sea of Africa. In Kalkuta he learned many things  

With his capacity and knwoledge, he had initiative to increase his experience by sailing farer than before to the east countries where Islamic Kingdoms existed. He was motivated by both trade purpose and spreading Islam to the region. He was included in “four brothers` who sailed to the east region (Indonesia). The other three were Sayyid Abu Bakar al`Aidrus (with title Tuan Besar Aceh) who lived and died in Aceh, Sayyid Umar as-Segaf (Tuan Besar Siak) lived, taught and died in Siak, and Sayyid Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Qudsi (Datuk Marang) who lived and taught in Trengganu.  

Habib Husein continued his journey to Aceh where he stayed there for a year to conduct dakwah and to teach various themes of shariah (Islamic law). Siak, Betawi (spent seven months), and Semarang (spent two years) were the next places he chose to conduct dakwah. In Semarang, he made close friendship with Syeikh Salim bin Hambal. Both sailed to Negeri Matan and met Sayyid Hasyim al-Yahya, a prominent ulama who was called Tuan Janggut Merah (a red beard man)

His coming to Matan was heard by Sultan Matan. Both Habib Husein and Syekh Salim were invited to the palace. During the feast, there was an occurrence which depict Habib`s magical skill. The occurrence took place when they visited Sultan`s palace. At the palace, Sayyid Hasyim saw a head of snake-formed object in the tepak sirih (box for betel leaves). Immedietely, he broke it and threw it to the floor. The Sultan was very angry for it. Soon, Habib Husein took the broken object and wiped it with his spittle and amazingly the object became like it was.

Sultan of Matan admired the perspicacity of Habib Husein. Days after the feast, the Sultan convinced him to stay and become a teacher in Matan. Thus, Habib Husein took the offer. The Sultan married him a woman named Utin Candramidi (Nyai Tua). They had four sons: Khadijah, Syarif Abdurrahman, Syarif Mariyah, and Syarif Alwi Alkadrie. Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie was known as a prominent figure who established Kadriah Sultanate (Pontianak) in West Kalimantan. 

After settling in Matan for three years, Habib Husein was visited by an envoy from Mempawah Sultan (Upu Daeng Menambon with title Pangeran Tua) bringing a letter and two boats. The letter delivered a message containing Sultan`s offer to Habib for moving to Mempawai. Responding to the letter, he took many days to think about it. It was so since he liked being in Matan. The envoy backed to the Sultanate with zero result. However, Habib changed his mind after having dissent with the Sultan of Matan.

Habib Husein moved to Mempawah on Muharram 8^th 1160 H/January 20^th, 1747 A.D and settled a house in Galah Hirang village. His coming was like a “magnet” to which people around the Nusantara came. They came for various purposes, some for trade and many for studying under his supervision. He was the first mufti in Mempawah. His main course tought to the people was lughah `Arabiyah (Arabic Language). In a short time, the village developed and became the centre of destination which was visited by the surrounding people more then the capital of Mempawah Sultanate. Following the death of Upu Daeng Menambon (The Sultan of Mempawah), his son named Gusti Jamiril was adopted and raised by Habib Husein al-Kadrie in Galang Hirang village. By 1166 H/1752 A.D, Gusti Jamil was crowned as a Mempawah Sultan titled Panembahan Adiwijaya Kesuma.

The greatness of Habib Husein (Tuan Besar Mempawah) was heard to South-East Asia. He was a follower of Syafii`s school of thought. He also took seriously tasawwuf (Science of religious mystisism). The main amalan tasawwuf (mystical reading) of him was Ratib al-Haddad and Tarekat Kadiriyah. When he was appointed as a mufti, he taught the amalan tasawwuf and dropped some syarah (comments) on it. 

In his age of 64, Habib Husein passed away at 2 a.m. in Sebukit Rama Mempawah. He died in 1184 H/1771 A.D. He made a testament to appoint Syeikh Ali bin Faqih al-Fathani as his successor of the mufti position in Mempawah Sultanate. The will was accepted as Syeikh al-Fathani was installed as a mufti with title Maharaja Imam Mempawah.

2. Thought

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3. Works

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4. Award

Habib Husein had ever assumed mufti position (religious leader who has right to issue a religious verdict) in Matan Sultanate. At the same time, he was appointed as a patih (chief minister) as well. Besides in Matan, he also became the first mufti in Mempawah Sultanate. He contributed to the promotion of dakwah and the spreading of Islam in West Kalimantan. 

(HQ/ter/86/1-08)

Source :

• Wan Mohd. Shaghir Abdullah, “Husein al-Qadri: Penyebar Islam Kalimantan Barat”, in http://ulama-nusantara.blogspot.com.

• www.borneo-tribune.com.

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