Tembilahan
Gravesite of Syekh Abdurrahman Shiddiq al-Banjari (1857-1939)
Near the small village of Parit Hidayat, down a long path lined with coconut groves and marshland, is the gravesite of Syekh Abdurrahman Shiddiq al-Banjari. Many people consider him to be a genius because of his insights and teaching on the Islamic faith. He studied in Mecca and Medina for several years and upon returning to Indonesia he opened a number of Islamic schools. His gravestone has been preserved and is covered by a small domed building. Around 50-100 people per day visit the site. They sit by or walk around the gravestone, praying to Allah in the 'presence' of this great man in hope that their prayers will be answered. Some come to pray for healing and good fortune. Women who are struggling to become pregnant visit in the hope that Allah will show favor on them and they will become pregnant. Others who are pregnant will ask for a successful pregnancy.
This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight' declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
- Pray that he Riau Malay who come to this gravesite to pray in the 'presence' of this Islamic teacher, will come to know Jesus the Messiah as the Great Teacher leading all peoples to God.