Manaqib - A Short Biography of the Late
H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid
The Exemplary Life of a Humble Figure Honored by Allah SWT
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah who has adorned His saints with various distinctions. May blessings and peace be upon our master Prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, and his companions. Know that recounting the stories of the righteous can bring the mercy of Allah SWT and strengthen our inner connection to His beloved ones…"
A. IDENTITY AND ORIGINS
Full Name: H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid
Grave: Adjacent to the grave of KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan (the deceased is buried in the cemetery complex of the Jami' Mosque in Pasuruan City, near the teacher and waliyullah [friend of God], an honor that demonstrates his closeness to the Kiai both during his life and after his passing)
Family Status: A beloved father and grandfather, he left behind children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who now continue his noble values, Amen.
B. LIFE JOURNEY
The late H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid was born in the village of Sumberejo, Bojonegoro, into a humble family that firmly upheld Islamic teachings. From a young age, he was known as a modest, honest individual with a deep concern for others.
During his life journey, he later migrated and settled in Pasuruan City, specifically in the Bangilan area. It was in this city that he built his household, raised his family, and spent the remainder of his life until he passed away to the mercy of Allah. Although not wealthy in material terms, he possessed extraordinary richness of heart: sincerity, generosity, and genuine love for Allah SWT and His Messenger.
Throughout his life, he was known as a devout worshipper, particularly diligent in performing congregational prayers at the Jami' Mosque in Pasuruan City. He also maintained a very close relationship with the ulama, especially with the renowned Waliyullah, KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan. This closeness was not merely physical but also spiritual, such that at the end of his life, he was buried near his teacher—a symbol that their bond remained strong, even after death.
C. EXEMPLARY STORIES
1. The Sincerity of Building a Prayer Room: A Green Palace in the Hereafter
One day, H. Ma'ruf conceived a noble desire to build a prayer room (musholla) for the local community. With great respect, he conveyed this sacred aspiration to his father-in-law (H. Cholil). Touched by his son-in-law's sincerity, the father-in-law provided financial assistance to purchase the land, and the prayer room was built. H. Ma'ruf personally supervised the construction with great enthusiasm. Every drop of sweat was intended for the sake of Allah. He never felt that the prayer room was solely the result of his own effort. Instead, he was grateful that Allah had facilitated his dream through his father-in-law.
One day, during the construction of the prayer room, KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan conveyed joyful news to KH. Khumaidi. In his dream, KH Abd Hamid saw that H. Ma'ruf had been granted by Allah SWT a magnificent green (emerald) palace in paradise. This palace was the reward for his sincerity in building the prayer room, even though the funds did not come from his own wealth. Allah sees the sincerity in a servant's heart, not the origin of the money.
Lesson: Sincerity is the key to having one's deeds accepted. Never underestimate an act of goodness, no matter how small, for Allah rewards it with an unexpected recompense. (Source: KH. Khumaidi Pasuruan)
"Only those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, pay zakat, and fear none but Allah are the ones who maintain the mosques of Allah. It is they who are hopefully among the guided." (QS. At-Tawbah: 18)
2. Boundless Generosity: A Neighbor Receives Help
Hasan Kaspandi, a neighbor of H. Ma'ruf, was facing hardship. His child was ill, and he was in financial difficulty. He had gone around trying to borrow money from various people, including his own siblings, but all refused.
Seeing Hasan looking dejected, H. Ma'ruf approached him and asked, "You look sad, Hasan. What is wrong?"
After hearing Hasan's story, without hesitation, H. Ma'ruf immediately reached for his money box. He took out money without counting it and handed it to Hasan. "Here, I am giving you this money. You do not need to borrow it," he said. Hasan was stunned. He could not believe there was someone so sincere in helping him, without even being asked and without counting.
Lesson: Help others sincerely, without expecting anything in return, and without being calculating. This is especially true for relatives and neighbors in difficulty, for they hold a significant right in Islam. (Source: M. Junaid bin Hasan Pasuruan)
"Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is the Gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for whoever fears his Lord." (QS. Al-Bayyinah: 7-8)
3. Madinah Beside Makkah: A Wali's Acknowledgment
Several people from Bojonegoro came to visit KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan. When they mentioned they were from Bojonegoro, KH Abd Hamid said, "Here in Pasuruan, there is a person from Sumberejo, Bojonegoro, named H. Ma'ruf. His house is in Bangilan. You must go to him." Then he added a profound analogy: "I am like Makkah, H. Ma'ruf is like Madinah. It would be a pity not to go there."
The visitors then went to H. Ma'ruf's house in Bangilan and were warmly welcomed by him, who turned out to be from their same hometown. They returned having received blessings from two beloved ones of Allah: KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan (Makkah) and H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid (Madinah).
Lesson: Righteous people respect and elevate one another. KH Abd Hamid was not stingy in his praise, and H. Ma'ruf was not arrogant in receiving it. This is the character of the beloved of Allah. (Source: Ma' Ali, Bojonegoro)
"Indeed, the allies of Allah will have no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believe and are constantly mindful of Allah." (QS. Yunus: 62-63)
4. Honor at Dawn: Knocked Upon by Prophet Khidir
For three consecutive days, just before dawn, someone unknown to H. Ma'ruf knocked on his door. This person invited him to go together to the Jami' Mosque in Pasuruan City for the congregational dawn (Subuh) prayer. Each time after the prayer, the person would disappear without saying goodbye.
Intrigued, H. Ma'ruf then went to ask KH Abd Hamid Pasuruan, "Teacher, who is this person who has been inviting me to the mosque every day?"
KH Abd Hamid replied calmly, "That is Prophet Khidir, 'Alaihissalam (peace be upon him)."
H. Ma'ruf was startled. Prophet Khidir, a noble figure mentioned in the Qur'an, had knocked on his door for three consecutive mornings, inviting him to walk together to the mosque. This was a sign of Allah SWT's love for His righteous servant.
Lesson: Consistency in worship, especially the congregational dawn prayer, attracts the attention of the heavens. Allah honors His steadfast servant with unexpected nobility. (Source: Ust. H. Hasan Ma'ruf)
"Establish prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and the dawn Qur'an [recitation]. Indeed, the dawn Qur'an is ever witnessed." (QS. Al-Isra': 78)
D. THE END OF LIFE AND GRAVE
As a sign of his honor and closeness to the ulama, and his generosity, his body was buried in the cemetery complex of the Jami' Mosque in Pasuruan City, adjacent to the grave of KH. Abd Hamid Pasuruan. To this day, his grave remains a place of pilgrimage for family and community members who wish to remember and draw lessons from his life.
E. A MESSAGE FOR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
For the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, this is the greatest legacy left by the late H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid. Not abundant wealth, not vast land, not glittering jewels. Rather, a name fragrant in this world, and a green palace in paradise awaiting.
From the stories above, take these valuable lessons:
Be sincere in every deed. Allah does not look at the size or source of what you give, but at the sincerity of your heart in giving.
Be generous. Lend a helping hand to your fellow brothers and sisters, especially those in need, without being asked and without calculation.
Maintain congregational prayers, especially the dawn prayer. Perhaps through steadfastness, Allah will honor you as He honored your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Respect the ulama and righteous people. By honoring them, you will attain blessings and guidance in life.
Remain humble, even when praised. H. Ma'ruf never became arrogant despite being called "Madinah" by a wali. Humility is the crown of the righteous.
May the life story of Almaghfurlah H. Ma'ruf bin Abd. Hamid become a lantern illuminating our path. May Allah SWT reunite us with him in His eternal paradise, under the shade of His pleasure and forgiveness. Aamiin ya Rabbal 'alamin.
"Our Lord, grant us mercy from Yourself and perfect for us guidance in our affair."
(QS. Al-Kahf: 10)
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Author: Al Faqir – Ramadhan)






