Biography of KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah, National Hero

Complete Profile of KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah: The Initiator of Nahdlatul Ulama and a National Hero

KH. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah (Mbah Wahab) is a charismatic cleric known as "Founding Father of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)". He was a multi-talented figure: a skilled organizer, a smart politician, a freedom fighter, and a modern-minded Islamic boarding school educator.

Biodata and Genealogy

• Full name: KH.Abdul Wahab Hasbullah
• Born: March 31, 1888, in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java
• Died: December 29, 1971 (Age 83)
• Parent: The first son of KH Hasbullah Said (the caretaker of the Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School) and Nyai Hj. Lathifah
• Family relationship: His lineage meets KH. Hasyim Asy'ari's with the same grandfather, namely Kiai Shihah.

Educational History: A 20-Year Journey of Knowledge

Mbah Wahab's youth was spent studying from one Islamic boarding school to another for approximately 20 years:

• Primary Education:He was directly guided by his father at the Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School until the age of 13.
• Islamic Boarding Schools in Java: Studied at the Langitan Islamic Boarding School (Tuban), Mojosari (Nganjuk), Tawangsari (Sepanjang), and then studied with Syaikhona Kholil Bangkalan (Madura).
• Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School: He became a direct student of Hadratusy-syekh KH. Hasyim Asy'ari.
• Mecca (1914): Studied for 5 years in the holy land under the guidance of Sheikh Mahfudz at-Tarmasi and Sheikh Said al-Yamani.

Key Role in the Establishment of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)

Mbah Wahab was the main driving force behind the birth of NU on January 31, 1926. Before NU was officially established, he initiated several pioneering organizations:

• Tashwirul Afkar (1914):Intellectual discussion forum and debate course for Islamic students (santri) in Surabaya.
• Nahdlatul Wathan (1916):An Islamic youth organization that instilled a sense of nationalism (Revival of the Homeland).
• Nahdlatut Tujjar (1918):An organization for the economic empowerment of Islamic students.
• Hijaz Committee:A delegation sent to Mecca to fight for Freedom of belief in the Islamic sect before King Ibn Saud.

Contribution to the Nation and Independence

He fought not only on the pulpit, but also on the battlefield and in diplomacy:

• Commander of the Hizbullah Army: Led the Islamic students' army in fighting the Japanese and Dutch colonialists.
• Creator of the Song "Ya Lal Wathon": A nationalistic song composed in 1934 to foster love for the homeland among Islamic students.
• Statesman: Served as a member of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) and actively quelled political unrest during the era of President Sukarno.
• Pioneer of Freedom Thinking: Initiating a two-body leadership system in NU (Syuriyah and Tanfidziyah) to unite the old and young.

Awards and Legacy

For his extraordinary services to the independence and integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, KH. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah was declared a National Hero of Indonesia by President Joko Widodo on November 7, 2014. He was buried in the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School complex, Jombang.

Certificate of Practice "Huwal Habib"

One of the most famous ijazas of practice from KH. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah is the recitation of excerpts from the Qasidah Burdah, specifically the verse "Huwal Habib." Mbah Wahab often gave this ijaza to his students at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, especially when facing critical situations or major matters for the nation and Nahdlatul Ulama.

Practice Text:

هُوَالْحَبِيْبُ الَّذِيْ تُرْجَى شَفَاعَتُهُ ۞ لِكُلّ هَوْلٍ مِنَ الْأِهْوَالِ مُقْتَحِـــــــمِ

Huwal habiibulladzii turjaa syafaa’atuhu, likulli hawlin minal ahwaali muqtahimi)

---

Waktu Pengamalan: Usually read regularly after every Maghrib prayer.

Goals/Benefits: Used as an inner effort to ask for God's help so that all matters are made easier, kept away from disaster, and given smoothness in the struggle.

How to Practice (Based on the Tambakberas Tradition):

According to the caregivers at the Tebuireng and Tambakberas Islamic Boarding Schools, this diploma often begins with tawasul:

• Tawasul (Send Fatihah):Especially to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, his friends, Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, and KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah.
• Reading Short Letters: Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, Al-Falaq, dan Ayat Kursi.
• Reading the Burdah Prayer: Bait Huwal Habib is read repeatedly according to direction or need.

Mbah Wahab's Wise Message for Today's Generation

Tentang Persatuan: "There is no weapon sharper than unity." (This message he often conveyed to remind us how important brotherhood is amidst differences).

About Courage and Struggle: "Be a kiai with a warrior's soul, don't be a kiai who just waits for gifts."

About Love for the Homeland (Hubbul Wathon): "Indonesia is our home. Protecting it is part of our faith, defending its honor is the duty of every soul." (This spirit is clearly reflected in the lyrics of the song Ya Lal Wathon, which he composed).

About the Changes of the Times: "We must continue to move with the times, but never let go of the roots of our traditions and the noble values ​​of our religion."

Message for Students and Youth: "Students must be able to be a light in the midst of darkness, not just spectators on the sidelines of history."

Baca Selengkapnya