The tombstones wrapped in bright yellow fabric. Yellow is commonlyassociated with holiness, while green is linked to Islam. Even theflag of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic nation, is in green. Sweet scent of perfume and flowers filled the air?
Keramat Habib Noh was built by Syed Mohamad Bin Ahmad Alsagoffin 1890. The housing structure of the mausoleum and the 49 stepsleading up to it were erected through the contributions of kind donors. In the past, trustees who were descendants of Habib Noh looked after the mausoleum. In 1936, the trust was given to the Muslims & Hindus Endowments Board and then handed over to the Muslim Council ofSingapore (MUIS) when it was formed. An imam or mosque prayer-leader now looks after the mausoleum. The imam also has an assistant who is tasked to monitor children loitering around the mausoleum, begging for money. Visitors who like to donate to the children, are encouraged to pass it to the assistant for him to distribute them equally. Other visitors, normally those in-charge of the stores situated in the mausoleum area, also contribute foodstuff and electric fans. Behind Keramat Habib Noh is the grave of his cousin Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al-Khattib and it is still there to this day.
Located along Palmer Road, one can never miss the conspicuousmosque and mausoleum, as well as the flocking pigeons. So who is Habib Noh? Why is he still highly respected and sought upon even now, more than a century after his demise?
Pigeons never fail to crowd the area. Some people believe that thereare mystical powers of the mausoleum that not only attract but alsoprotect the birds, the rooster and rabbits.
Syed Noh Bin Mohamad Alhabshee or Habib (title for Lover in Arab) Noh as he was and still popularly known as, came to Singapore from Kedah after Sir Stamford Raffles had founded the country. He stayed in Singapore for thirty years but travelled around, mostly to Johor Baru and other peninsular states of Malaysia, preaching Islam.
In his lifetime, Habib Noh cared for the young, poor and the destitute. He would buy sweets for the children and donate money for the needy. He was loved by all who knew him and he was always seen in the company of friends. Habib Noh, a truly pious person, performed night prayers dutifully. He was also a constant visitor of the graveyards, often praying for the souls of the dead.
The Magical Touch
It is not surprising that a person like Habib Noh is granted special and extraordinary abilities to support his missionary life. He possessed the ability to literally disappear, and be seen at impossible places unexplainably. Reportedly, he was ever seen praying in the Grand Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia without actually making the journey there himself physically.
His special abilities further decorate his impeccable love for children. There was once when he healed a child with an injured leg, by simply putting his hands over the wound and reciting some prayers. Within moments, the child was able to run again as though nothing had happened to him. The father of the child was so happy; he donated shillings to Habib Noh, who in turn gave the money away to the needy.
Habib Noh would brave even the thunderstorm to tend to any sickchild. He ever walked to Paya Lebar from his home at Telok Blangahunder heavy rain to heal a child. When he arrived at the child's home,to the astonishment of the parents, Habib Noh was not drenched at all.
In another incident, Habib Noh was awakened by the continuos crying of his neighbour's child. When he went over, he found that the family was too poor to buy food for the hungry child. With tears in his eyes upon hearing the story, Habib Noh took a coconut kernel, poured some water in it and recited some prayers. By God's will, the water turned into milk for the child.Habib Noh is also known for his powerful and accurate premonitions. He seemed to know if people were in need, sick or have intentions meant for him.
Once there was an Indian Muslim man who traveled back to India to visit his family via sea. He made a sacred pact with God that if he were to return to Singapore safely, he would present Habib Noh with a gift. Upon returning, he was shocked when Habib Noh was already waiting for him at the shore.Habib Noh called out to him,"I believe you have made a promise to give something to me." Surprised, the Indian Muslim man said,"Speak oh wise one what you wish for and I will gladly present it toyou."Habib Noh replied, "I would like to have rolls of yellow cloth to donate to the poor, the destitute and children."Hugging Habib Noh, the Indian Muslim man cried, "By God, I will be most willing to present it to a man who is exalted in the eyes of God for his kindness towards mankind. Please give me three days to present them to you."He did within the stipulated time. A beautiful chandelier hangs above the tomb of Habib Noh.
The Lost
Habib Noh knew he would leave this world. A few days before he passed away and he took the trouble to convey as many advice he could to his beloved friends.Amongst his treasured words were, "Don't be greedy for worldly materials nor have any ill-feelings towards anyone throughout your life?"Towards the end of July 1866, Habib Noh passed on in the TelokBlangah residence of Johor's Temenggong Abu Bakar at the age of 78.When news spread, many people from all walks of life, including foreign Muslim converts and those from the neighbouring islands came to pay their last respect. All horse-drawn carriages in Singapore came to a halt from their daily activities to ferry the old folks, women and children to the funeral for free. But just before the cortege left the Temenggong's house for the burial ground, a strange phenomenon took place.
Before his demise, Habib Noh had actually instructed his friends to bury him at the top of Mount Palmer, which during that time was a small burial ground. Somehow on that fateful day, everyone had forgotten about it and they were all preparing to go to the Bidadari Muslim cemetery. That was when it happened, the coffin containing the body of Habib Noh refused to budge from the ground! There seemed to be a strong unseen force pinning the coffin down and pallbearers simply could not lift it. The atmosphere turned panicky, and almost everyone cried upon seeing the coffin not moving one inch, despite the strong attempts of able men.
Fortunately, someone finally remembered the late Habib Noh'sinstructions; came forward and addressed the true situation to everyone. Each person realised their lapse in memory and immediately decided to proceed to Mount Palmer instead. Through the will of God, the coffin was able to move at much ease and cries of Allahu Akbar! (God is Great!) filled the air. As per his parting wish, Habib Noh was safely buried at Mount Palmer next to the former YMCA, now known as the Bestway Building.
More Miracles
During World War 2, bombs mercilessly destroyed the surroundingvicinity as well as the burial ground at Mount Palmer but KeramatHabib Noh remained miraculously untouched! The car seemed to glide on the roof of the mosque.
In his lifetime, Habib Noh married Anchik Hamidah who hailed from Wellesley Province, Penang. They had a daughter named SharifahBadaniah. Sharifah Badaniah married Syed Mohamad Bin Hassan Al-Shatri at Jelutong, Penang. From the consummation of the marriage, the couple was blessed with a daughter named Sharifah Rugayah. She married Syed Alwi Bin Ali Aljunied and they had five children, two boys and three girls namely Syed Abdul Rahman, Syed Abdullah, Sharifah Muznah, Sharifah Zainah and Sharifah Zubaidah. Habib Noh himself had three younger brothers; Habib Ariffin and Habib Zain (both died in Penang) and the youngest Habib Salikin, who died in Daik, Indonesia.
WITH LOTS OF PEACE FIZA
taken from http://anak_alam0.tripod.com/anakalam/id4.html
ps: baru aku tahu.... tapi takpe...yang penting tahu...dari tak tahu..atau pura pura tahu... anda tahu? (masihkah ada insan sebegini lagi?.. insyaALLAH ada)
The-One-and-Only,
cupid @ Friday, January 14, 2005