Popular Name(s): Tuan Tabal

Origin: Kelantan

Location(s):

Biographical Details: b. 1840, Kampung Tabal Tempoyak, Kelantan (just across the river to the west of Sungai Golok, d. 1893/4, Kota Bharu (after returning from Mecca). He first studied with his father and other teachers at various pondok in Patani from the age of 14. Then he went to Mecca, where he studied with Shaykh Muhammad b. Sulayman Hasb Allah al-Makki, who inducted him into the Ahmadiyya Sufi tariqa. He returned to Kelantan, c. 1285/1868, but went twice again to Mecca, once with his son Muhammad in 1296/1879 and also in 1311/1893.

Teachers:

1. Shaykh Muhammad b. Sulayman Hasb Allah al-Makki, who instructed him on, among other things, the Ahmadiyya Sufi tariqa.
2. Shaykh ‘Ibrahim b. al-Qadi Salih al-Rashid (1813-20 Sep 1874), who was from Sudan and who inducted him into the Rashidi tariqa. Shaykh ‘Ibrahim’s teacher was Shaykh Ahmad b. ‘Idris Maghribi (d. 21 Oct 1837), who founded the Ahmadiyya Sufi tariqa.
3. Shaykh Muhammad Isma’il b. Muhammad al-Nuwwab, in Mecca.
4. Sidi Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Dandarawi, in Mecca.

Students:

1. Shaykh Ahmad b. Muhammad Zayn al-Fatani (1856-1908), c. 1868 (when Ahmad was just 12 years old).
2. Tok Imam Haji Wan Mamat (1870-1920), his son.
3. Haji Da’ud b. Che Husayn (Kampung Menuang, Kota Bharu).
4. Haji Nik ‘Abd Allah Hakim b. Raja Zaynal (Pantai Dasar/Sabak).
5. Haji ‘Abd al-Mannan b. Imam Isma’il (Kubang Pasu, Kota Bharu).
6. Haji Che Tahir b. Che Senik (Kampung Laut, Tumpat).
7. Che ‘Ali b. Che Senik (Kampung Laut, Tumpat).
8. Wan ‘Abd al-Qadir b. Sulayman (Kampung Limbat, Kota Bharu).
9. Che Awang ‘Abd al-Latif b. Imam Perang Talib (Kampung Badak, Bacok).
10. Lebai ‘Abd al-Shukor b. Husayn (Kampung Cengal, Kota Bharu).
11. Pak Nik Awang b. Awang Sungai (Kampung Salor, Kota Bharu).
12. Tok Yaakub b. Tok Faqih (Kampung Kukang, Kota Bharu).
13. Wak Haji Sa’id b. Tok Faqih (Seberang Balaisah, Kampung Lembu, Kota Bharu).
14. Wak Haji ‘Abbas b. Haji Koman (Kampung Ketil, Tumpat).
15. Tok Kenali (1868-1933) ,Kampung Kenali, Kubang Kerian
    
16. Haji Muhammad Sa’id b. Muhammad (Kampung Jerulong, Salor).
17. Haji Wok b. Haji Ahmad (Pasir Mas).
18. Haji Wan ‘Abd al-Samad b. Haji Ishaq (Imam Salor).
19. Haji Awang b. Muhammad (Imam Jelatang, Kota Bharu).
20. Haji Wan ‘Abd Allah b. Wan Muhammad (Kampung Cap, Sungai Pinang).
21. Haji Raja Isma’il b. Haji Raja Mansor (Kedai Lalat).
22. Haji Che Musa b. Muhammad Kamal (Kampung Apa-apa, Pasir Mas).
23. Tok Wali Haji Isma’il b. Haji Senik @ Haji Abdullah, Lundang Paku, Kota Bharu.
24. Tok Wali Haji Che Mud (c. 1887-1951)

Work(s):

1. Bab Harap
2. Bidayatu Ta‘limil ‘Awam fi Tarafi min Arkanil Islam
3. Jala’ al-qulub bi zikri’ iLah/Jalaul Qulud bi Zikrillah – waktu Zuhur hari Rabu, 18 Muharam 1287 AH [20 Apr 1870 CE].
4. Kifayah al-‘awwam fi ma Yajibu/Yuhibbu alaihim min Umur al-Islam (shortened title: Kifayat al-‘Awwam)– 14 Safar 1295 AH [17 Feb 1878 CE]
5. Kitab pada menyatakan taubat – 10 Zulhijah 1300 AH [12 Oct 1883 CE]
6. Manhatul Qaribil Mujib wa Mughnir Raghibin fit Taqrib – 10 Zulhijjah 1300 [12 Oct 1883 CE]
7. Minhat al-qarib al-mujib wa mughni al-raghibin fi al-taqrib – Jumaat, 10 Zulhijah 1300 AH [12 Oct 1883 CE]
8. Munabbihul Ghafilin – 2 Muharram 1285 AH [25 Apr 1868 CE]
9. Munyat Ahl al-Aubat fi Bayan al-Taubat
10. Munyat al-Murid fi Ba‘ad Awsaf Sayyid al-Mursalin – unfinished at his death

References:

• Abdullah, Haji Wan Mohd. Shaghir. “Syeikh Abdus Samad bin Muhammad Salih (Tuan Tabal) Penyebar Tariqat Ahmadiyah Pertama di Asia Tenggara,” Dakwah 15 (Jan 1992): 46-9.
• Daud, Ismail Che. “Tuan Tabal (1840-1894),” in Tokoh-tokoh Ulama’ Semenanjung Melayu, vol. 1, 3^rd ed., 99-121. Kota Bharu: Majlis Ugama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Kelantan, 2001.