List of Contents

1.        Life and Family History
1.1      Born
1.2      Family History
1.3      Passed Away

2.        Sanad Knowledge and Education
2.1      Wandering to Gain Knowledge
2.2      His Masters
2.3      Becoming a Caregiver For Pesantren

3.        His Successor
3.1      His Sons
3.2      His Student

4.        His Career
4.1      Pesantren Caregiver

5.       His Exemplary Life

6.       His Extra Ordinary Story
6.1     Dismantling KH. Abdul Hamid
6.2     Turning Leaves into Money
6.3     Testing His Guardianship
6.4     Requesting a Lottery Number

7.       Reference

1. Life and Family History

1.1    Born
KH. Abdul Mu'thi or who is usually called by the greeting KH. Abdul Hamid Pasuruan was born in 1333 AH or 1915 AD in Sumurkepel hamlet, Sumbergirang village, in the middle of Lasem sub-district, Rembang, Central Java. Little Abdul Mu'thi used to be called "Dul" only. However, this call is often played as “Bedudul” because of his naughty behavior.

Dul did grow up as a lively, extroverted, and naughty child. KH. Hasan Abdillah Glenmore, his cousin, said that Dul was a very naughty child. But Dul's misbehavior is not like the children of today: those who get drunk or commit immoral acts. Dul's naughtiness is a child's delinquency which is still within reasonable limits, but for the size of a kiai's child, it is considered "extraordinary".

Because, everyday he is rarely at home. His hobbies are playing soccer and kites. He can be    bolamania or soccer crazy, and his father, KH. Abdullah Umar could not stem this hobby. Due to playing a lot, the Qor’an is automatically less regular even though it is not abandoned at all. Finally, his father sent Dul to recite the Qoran to KH. Ma'shum and KH. Baidhawi.

When he started to grow up to be a teenager, he trigger  to began study traditional martial art (a kind of magic science). The learning is quite intensive so that it reaches a fairly high level of knowledge. KH. Zaki Ubaid Pasuruan said that Dul was able to catch fake pigs. Even so, since childhood he had shown signs of becoming a guardian or, at least, a great person. When invited by his grandfather, KH. Muhammad Siddiq (Jember), went to Hajj, Dul met the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. It was during the pilgrimage that his name was changed to Abdul Hamid.

1.2    Family History
After 12 years of studying at the Pesantren Tremas, Hamid was proposed to by his uncle, KH. Achmad Qusyairi, to be married to his daughter, Nyai Nafisah. It is said that Kiai Achmad once received a message from his father, KH. Muhammad Siddiq, to take Hamid as his son-in-law considering the privileges that appear in the young man.

KH. Abdul Hamid married Nyai Nafisah on September 12, 1940 AD, coinciding with 9 Sha'ban 1359 H, after noon at 1.00 at Jami Mosque (now Al-Anwar Grand Mosque) Pasuruan. After the hour and time had been determined, the groom's entourage did not come until the clock pointed at 2.00. Finally, the invited guests were diverted to the wedding party event at KH Achmad Qusyairi house first in Kebonsari, in the pesantren Salafiyah  complex. But unfortunately, until 3 o'clock, the groom did not come. In addition, one by one the invited guests left the venue.

After waiting for a very long time, finally at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a new group of grooms arrived. The head of the group, Kiai Ma'shum said "Um, I invite the bride to come to the graves (of the guardians)". The marriage contract was held without the presence of an invitation, and was only witnessed by the relatives. Then, KH. Abdul Hamid lives at his father-in-law's house.

Five or six years later, KH. Abdul Hamid moved to Jember, then moved to Glenmore, Banyuwangi. Stay now KH. Abdul Hamid and his wife have to struggle independently to navigate the ocean of life in the new household they have fostered. To support himself and his family, KH. Abdul Hamid tried anything. From buying and selling bicycles, trading coconut and soybeans to renting fields and trading gig spare parts. Their days were days of concern.

Eating rice with crackers or roasted tempe has become a daily habit. Sometimes, a sarong that is already see-through (because it's worn out) is still worn (with a turban covered so that the color of the skin is not visible). However, Kiai Hamid never gave up hope, he kept trying and trying. At that time he was not involved in the activities of the pesantren Salafiyah, even though he lived in the pesantren complex.

In the midst of this concerned life, he began to have two students who were placed in a hut in the yard of the house. He also started holding recitations in various villages in Pasuruan district: Rejoso, Ranggeh and others.

1.3.  Passed Away
KH. Abdul Hamid, like other guardians, is the pillar of his community. Not only in Pasuruan but also in other places. He is the pillar of the morality of the people. He is a mirror (to see one's own ulcers), he is an example, he is a role model. He is adored, everywhere surrounded by people, everywhere pursued by people (although he himself does not like it, even angry if someone cult him). After all, he was an ordinary human (the Messenger of Allah was also an ordinary person), who had to taste death.

On Saturday 9 Rabiul Awal 1403 H, coinciding with December 25, 1982 AD, it was the beginning of a long mourning for the Muslim community of Pasuruan, and Muslims elsewhere. That day, when the rooster had not crowed, the rain of tears broke the silence in the house in the pesantren Salafiyah complex. After falling a few days earlier and being treated at the Islamic Hospital (RSI) Surabaya due to acute heart disease, he breathed his last. Inna lillahi wa inna lillahi raji'un. The people wept. Pasuruan seemed to be stopped, mute, by deep sorrow.

Tens, even hundreds of thousands of people flock to Pasuruan. Filling the recesses of the Al-Anwar Grand Mosque and the city square, crowding the alleys and roads that stretch in front of it. They, in unison, under the command of a priest, KH. Ali Ma'shum Yogyakarta, raised his hand "Allahu Akbar" four times in a colossal prayer for him. Allahumma ighfir lahu warhamhu, Allah, forgive his sins and have mercy on him.

2. Sanad Knowledge and Education

2.1  Wandering to Gain Knowledge
At the age of about 12-13 years, Hamid was sent by his father to Pesantren  Kasingan, Rembang. His father meant, to quell his mischief. At the cottage, Hamid only received his education for one and a half years, then he moved to Pesantren Tremas, Pacitan, a cottage that was taken care of by KH. Dimyathi.

Although his passion for playing football continued, at this pesantren he began to get real knowledge. The money sent by his parents, which was only enough for him to eat  thiwul rice, did not discourage him. He remained at home there for 12 years, until he reached a high level of knowledge in various fields. 

2.2 His Teacher
His teachers when he demanded pesantren knowledge were: KH. Ma'shum, KH. Baidhawi,  KH Cholil Harun Kasing, KH. Dimyathi

2.3 Become a Caregiver For a Pesantren

 Around 1951, after the death of KH. Abdullah ibn Yasin who became the nazhir (caretaker) of Pesantren  Salafiyah, he was believed to be the caregiver of the pesantren, while KH. Aqib Yasin, the younger brother of  Kiai Abdullah, became a nazhir. However, in de facto meaning, he was the one who held the hut, taking care of all the daily routines, day to day because the young Kiai Aqib was still studying in Lasem.

KH. Abdul Hamid really started from zero in developing Pondok Salafiyah. Because at that time there were no students. The students previously could not stand the high discipline applied by Kiai Abdullah. Even though there was no promotion, one by one the students began to arrive. The process is completely natural, without marketing. Its development is indeed not fast paced.

Until the existing rooms are not sufficient for the students and new ones have to be built. Finally, driven by the times, new facilities also need to be provided, namely classical madrasah. As gratitude to the development of the pesantren that was nurtured by him, finally being called "hajj" and then recognized as "kiai", the community's recognition was getting bigger and bigger.

More and more guests. Especially after the death of Habib Ja'far As-Segaf (the leading guardian of Pasuruan at that time who was his spiritual teacher) around 1954, his light grew and grew.

3. His Successor

3.1 His Sons 
His sons and daughters who are the current successors are:

1. KH. Nu'man Hamid
2. KH. Nasikh Hamid,
3. KH. Idris Hamid

 3.2 His Students
 His students who are students: Prof. Dr. Mukti Ali 

4. His Career

4.1. Pesantren Caregiver

 Around 1951, after the death of KH. Abdullah ibn Yasin who became the nazhir (caretaker) of Pondok Salafiyah, he was believed to be the professor of the cottage, while KH. Aqib Yasin, the younger brother of Kiai Abdullah, became a nazhir. It is different with other ulama or kyai figures who are involved in both NU and Muhammadiyah organizations, KH. Abdul Hamid Pasuruan is a kiai figure who does not want to be involved in any organization, so he is not well known on the national stage, especially in the political arena. This is the character behind the scenes.

Although he never appeared in the organization, his advice was heard by the top NU circles, both at the center and in the regions. He is a figure who is more concerned with the education of the santri in his boarding school and the development of society in general, both in the fields of science and charity - with his soft but effective words, by his example, with the radiance of his personal piety. He, like other saints, is the moral pillar of society

5. His Examplary Life  

KH. Abdul Hamid himself began to be recognized as a guardian a few years later, around the early 1960s. The recognition of guardianship is getting wider and wider, until it finally reaches the level - to borrow Gus Mus' term - "muttafaq 'alaih" (it is agreed upon by everyone, including those who have not been easy to admit someone's guardianship).

When Kiai Hamid started working in Pasuruan, not a few people felt competitive. Especially when he held recitations in the villages. Everybody knows him as a migrant. There are local kiai who accuse him of seeking influence, and of undermining their santri. In fact, Kiai Hamid taught there at the request of the local population. Like the Javanese proverb "Becik ketitik, ala ketara", gradually he can erase that impression.

Not with engineering or sophisticated "political image", but with real actions. By continuing to walk straight, and especially with an attitude of humility, his presence was finally fully accepted. . In fact, they respected him precisely because of his humble attitude. He is humble (tawadu). When he attends an event, he chooses to sit in the place of “ordinary people”, that is, at the back, not in front. Kiai Hasan Abdillah once said, "Kyai Hamid always hides (hides himself) in a corner".

He is respectful of everyone. From the poor to the rich, from the commoner to the high ranking ones, he served all of them, all of them appreciated. For example, when he is facing many guests, he pays attention to all of them. They were questioned one by one so that no one felt slighted. The former Minister of Religion and also a junior as well as his protege at the pesantren Tremas, Prof. Dr. Mukti Ali, once said, "The most impressive thing about Kiai Hamid is his morals: his respect for people, for knowledge, for pious people, for scholars. Also his behavior." When they came to his house, he was busy serving.

For example, when Sayid Muhammad ibn Alwi Al-Maliki, a well-known cleric in Mecca, visited, he himself brought a treat, then invited him to talk while massaging it. Even though the guest was younger. That humble attitude is, among other things, the secret of his "success". Because of this attitude he can be accepted by various groups, from ordinary people to prominent figures. The Islamic teachers or kiai do not feel rivaled, even respect when they see his sincere attitude of humble (tawadu), which is not made up.

His rank also increased, both in the eyes of Allah and in the eyes of men. This is in accordance with the words of the Prophet Muhammad SAW., "Whoever is humble, Allah will lift him up."

6. His Extra Ordinary Story  

6.1 Dismantling KH. Abdul Hamid Guardian
Before becoming a kiai, during his stay at pesantren  Termas, KH. Abdul Hamid did a lot of suluk tarekat in a sirri way. Like often going to the mountains near the Termas hut to do seclusion and dhikr. But if someone comes, he pretends to mantheg (stapling) so that people don't know that he is in seclusion.

Wirid practice is also often read on the sidelines of his activities as a student. In fact, when often invited to stay up late to look for crickets, Kiai Hamid immediately read the wirid when his friends didn't see him. Gradually, the mystic activities of KH. Abdul Hamid with dhikr sirri (qalbi) and reading awrad was more intense in the Pesantren room. 

In fact, it is said that, day by day, KH. Abdul Hamid was getting out of his room less and less to do the dhikr and wirid of the tarekat. To the extent, his friends teased him by locking the bedroom door from the outside. One of the extra ordinary of KH. Abdul Hamid, who is trusted by Pasuruan residents, is able to be in another place with a similar form.

This happened when Habib Baqir Mauladdawilah visited his pesantren. The Habib who had studied with al-Ustadzul Imam Al-Habr al-Quthb al-Habib Abdulqadir bin Ahmad Bilfaqih was given the knowledge to be able to see something unseen. On one occasion Habib Baqir came to meet Kiai Abdul Hamid Pasuruan.

At that time, at Kiai Abdul Hamid's place, many people came to ask for prayers or other needs. After meeting Habib Baqir, he was shocked. It turns out that the person who looks like Kiai Abdul Hamid is actually not the Kiai. Because what he met was a supernatural figure who resembled him. Then Habib Baqir looked for where exactly KH Abdul Hamid.

The real Abdul Hamid is located. After being investigated with Kanuragan science, Habib Baqir was surprised because the kiai was in the Holy Land of Mecca. Extra ordinary thing of KH. Abdul Hamid was also once shown an elderly Habib who came to him, because the Habib asked where the Kiai had gone when he was replaced by a magical figure who resembled him.

KH. Hamid didn't answer, he just grabbed the old Habib. Instantly the old Habib was shocked, seeing the atmosphere around them turned into a very magnificent mosque building. Subhanallah, it turns out that the elderly Habib was brought by KH. Hamid went to the Grand Mosque.

6.2 Changing Leaves Into Money
One of the other extra ordinary thing was when Asmawi, one of his students, had to pay off a debt to the mosque construction committee that was due. The amount is IDR 300,000, quite large for the time around the 70s. He did not know and where that much money could be obtained in such a short time.

Therefore, he could only cry, embarrassed if he was billed. Finally he complained to Kiai Hamid. Then the Kiai gently ordered Asmawi to shake the longan tree that was growing in Kiai Addul Hamid's front yard. There are two longan trees. "Gather the fallen leaves and bring them here," said Kiai Hamid. After receiving the longan leaves, Kial Hamid put them in his shirt pocket.

When he was pulled out, he held a banknote in his hand. Then he told Asmawi to do the same thing but to another longan tree. In the same way, the longan leaves turn into paper money. After calculating Asmawi, the amount is Rp.225,000. Still less than IDR 75,000. Suddenly a guest came and handed over Rp75,000 in cash to Kiai Hamid, then the money was handed over to Asmawi.

6.3 Testing KH. Abdul Hamid's Guardianship
Said Ahmad, another student, experienced something different. Instead, he seemed to want to test the well-known Kiai Hamid's trustworthiness. Said Ahmad wanted to know if Kiai knew that he wanted to be fed by him. When he arrived at the kiai Abdul Hamid’s pesantren, it happened that it was time for Isya prayer.

He also attended congregational prayers. After the prayer, he did not go home immediately, but waited until the congregation had all returned. The porch light of Kiai Hamid's house has also been turned off, a sign that the owner of the house is ready to rest. Thus, he thought, his intentions were successful, namely that his desire to be offered food by the Kiai was unknown.

Then he stepped out of the mosque. It turned out that from Kiai Hamid's house someone waved to him. With hesitant steps, he approached her. It turned out that the host himself called him. "Eat here," said Kiai Hamid with a smile. He was invited into the living room. There the dish is served. "Sorry, the side dishes are modest," said Kiai casually. "You didn't say anything, did you?" Said him satire. And then he has believed that Kiai Hamid is the guardian.

6.4 Asking For Lottery Number
Once, someone asked Kiai Hamid for a lottery number or known as togel number. Kyai Hamid gave him the condition that if he got the lottery, the money had to be brought before Kiai Hamid. So that person actually put the number given by Kiai Hamid and won. The advice was obeyed and the money was brought before Kiai Hamid.

The kiai put the money in a vessel and asked to see what was in it. It was filled with blood and maggots. Kiai Hamid said, "Are you brave enough to feed your wife's children with blood and maggots?" The person wept and repented.

7. Reference

https://wiki.laduni.id

Glossary :

Pesantren : a place to learn Islamic education, Islamic way of life  and practice Islamic religion in daily life. It combine boarding school and Islamic formal-non normal  education. Led by Islamic teachers who usually called kiai

Sanad : The journey of knowledge and deeply insight in Islam

Kiai     : Islamic teacher

Nazhir : pesantren’s caretaker

Tempe : Javanese traditional food made of soy bean with fermentation way

Thiwul : Food from cassava, usually eat as replacement of rice