Shaykh Abdul Maqsud Al-Hasani ق in Singapore (D.2011)

Shaykh Abdul Maqsud Al-Hasani ق was an Egyptian scholar from Al-Azhar University. He came to Singapore in 1989 to teach at Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and remained with the Madrasah until his death.

Shaykh Abdul Maqsud was remembered as a true scholar who mastered almost all subjects taught in the Madrasah. He used to teach from his memory without having to refer to the textbooks. He had a poetic mind and could come out with beautiful Arabic proses almost at will. When asked how he managed to do it, his answer was always a humble ‘he did not know where it came from’.

Shaykh Abdul Maqsud was well connected with Al-Azhar University officers, some of whom were his students. He used this connection to assist Madrasah Wak Tanjong and Madrasah Al Maarif Al Islamiah in obtaining the University’s recognition. Students of these two madrasahs previous had to join Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah or other overseas institutions before being able to pursue their first year studies at Al-Azhar University. With the recognitions, the students are able to take their pre-university studies at those madrasahs before joining Al-Azhar.

In 2010, he offered Sekolah Ugama Radin Mas his assistance in trying to get a recognition from Al-Azhar University in the field of tahfiz and qiraat. He managed to secure the preliminary agreement. Unfortunately, there was no follow up by Sekolah Ugama Radin Mas until the Shaykh’s death.

Shaykh Abdul Maqsud passed away in Singapore on 19th of February 2011. On his flight back to Singapore after a short holiday in his home country, he suffered hemorrhage and was hospitalised immediately upon arrival. He died shortly after that. He body was flown back to Egypt to be buried in the family plot.

He wrote a beautiful poem قُمْ حَيِّ سِنْغَافُرَة (Rise up Singapore) below:

❁قُمْ حَيِّ سِنْغَافُرَة❁فِي عِنْدِهَا الْكَبِير

Rise up Singapore, for her big celebration

وَاهْتِفْ فِي كُلِّ وَادٍ❁ بِالْحُبِّ وَالتَّقْدِير❁

Chant it in every valley, With love and appreciation

تُوّقَّرُ الْكَبِير❁ وَتُرْشِدُ الصَّغِير❁

She respects the elderly, And guides the young

وَتَرْحَمُ الْيَتَامَى❁ وَ تُكْرِمُ الْفَقِير❁

She is merciful to the orphans, And honours the poor

فَلْتَحْيَ سِنْغَافُورَة❁ كَا لْكَوْكَبِ الْمُنِير❁

Long live Singapore,  As the shining star

بِلْعِلْمِ وَالْإِخْلَاص❁ وَالْعَدْلِ وَالتَّدْبِير❁

With knowledge and sincerity, And justice and order

تُعَلِّمُ الْجَمِيع❁ مِنْ عِلْمِهَا الغَزِير❁

She teaches everyone, From its rich knowledge

تُعَلِّمُ الْفَضِيلَة❁ وَتَدْفَعُ الْمَسير❁

She teaches virtues, And it propels the journey

إِلَى الْعُلَى وَالْمَجِيد❁ وَمَنْهَجِ التَّنْوِير❁

Towards Highness and Majesty, And systems of enlightenment

May Allah bless his soul.

[Source: http://ibnyahya.com/]