Not only remembered as a key figure in spreading Islam in Lombok, Sheikh Zainuddin Abdul Majid is also honored as a national hero for his role in Indonesia’s fight for independence. His contributions have left a lasting legacy, particularly in the rapid growth of Islam in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Born in Pangkor Village, East Lombok, on August 5, 1898, Sheikh Zainuddin Abdul Majid played a significant role not only in advancing local Islamic education but also in Indonesia’s struggle for independence. His commitment to both education and religion has left a deep and lasting impact that continues to be felt today. He is remembered as one of the great scholars of the archipelago.
Education and Service
Sheikh Zainuddin’s family background greatly influenced his life path. He was born into a family of scholars who upheld the values of religion and knowledge.
As a child, he received religious instruction from his father, Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Majid, a respected scholar in Lombok. His formal education began at various Islamic schools in Lombok, and he later continued his studies at several pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Java, including the renowned Tebuireng Pesantren in Jombang. This institution was one of the largest and most influential centers of Islamic education at the time and where Sheikh Zainuddin laid the foundation for his Islamic knowledge.
The pinnacle of his education came when he pursued further studies in the holy city of Mecca, then the global center of Islamic learning. In Mecca, he studied under prominent scholars such as Sheikh Muhammad Mahfuz al-Tarmasi and Sheikh Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi.
From these esteemed teachers, Sheikh Zainuddin gained extensive knowledge in various fields of Islamic studies such as fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis), and hadith (Prophetic traditions). He also deepened his understanding of Sufism, which would later profoundly influence his spiritual life and personal outlook.