Photo by Comenei Ali/BIO
The entire Bangsamoro community is engulfed in grief following the demise of a revered figure—the Grand Mufti of the Bangsamoro, Sheikh Abuhuraira Udasan.
An influential religious leader, preacher, father, advisor, and considered as one of the pillars of the Bangsamoro struggle and the Bangsamoro Government, breathed his last on Monday morning, July 23, at the age of 81 in his abode in Lugay-Lugay, Brgy. Bagua I, Cotabato City.
His passing is widely regarded as a tremendous loss for the Muslim Ummah.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim expressed his heartfelt sorrow alongside the entire Bangsamoro populace, urging resilience and patience among those mourning the loss of the Bangsamoro Grand Mufti.
“Mufti Udasan has dedicated his life to propagating Islam across the world […] He will always be remembered as a renowned head of the Bangsamoro Islamic Advisory Council and for his life-long service and dedication to the Bangsamoro struggle. He left a void that is impossible to fill,” the Chief Minister said.
The Bangsamoro leader further said: “As we mourn his passing, let us all take solace in the fact that the seeds of knowledge and wisdom he planted for the future generation of Bangsamoro and Muslim Filipinos are strong. He may be gone from our sights, but the teachings and lessons he imparted to all of us will continue to exemplify.”
Born on March 3, 1942, in the village of Kitango (formerly Municipality of Dulawan, now Datu Piang) in the province of Maguindanao del Sur, Mufti was raised in a devout family.
He began his Islamic education under his father’s guidance, memorizing several chapters from the Qur’an before the age of six.
Education
During his formative years, he completed four years of primary education at Kitango Primary School, followed by two years of elementary education at Dulawan Central Elementary School. He pursued his secondary education at Cotabato High School, where the medium of instruction was English, from 1948 to 1958.
His focus shifted to Islamic studies in the Arabic language at Madrasah Rashidah (now Ma’had al-Rahmaniah) in Maganoy, Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, from 1958 to 1964.
Seeking further knowledge, he traveled abroad and earned an “Al-Ijazah Al-Aliah” degree from the Faculty of Da’wah and Usuluddin, specializing in comparative religion, at the Islamic University in Medina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), from 1967 to 1971. In 1966, he also pursued spiritual studies in Comparative Religion (Christian-Islam) in Jerusalem.
Professional experiences
In 1971-1972, Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan served as the Director of ‘Ma’had Al-Rahmaniah,’ a high school institution focused on Islamic studies in the Arabic language, located in Maganoy, Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur.
He actively engaged in Islamic missionary work and dialogue starting in 1974. For 15 years, he also held the position of Director of Islamic Da’wah for the United Sabah Islamic Association in Sabah, Malaysia.
Jihad
The Grand Mufti dedicated his life to providing spiritual guidance to the Bangsamoro People, shaping their daily lives and their commitment to Jihad fi Sabilillah.
As the guerrilla movement expanded during the revolution, he played a pivotal role in organizing the top 300 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He was one of the co-founders of the MILF along with the late MILF Founding Chair Salamat Hashim and Sheikh Khalipha Usman Nando, the first Wālī of the Bangsamoro.
The Grand Mufti
Within the Regional Government, Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan played an advisory role in matters pertaining to Islamic laws, jurisprudence, and ecclesiastical affairs. He served as a religious guide for politicians, government employees, and professionals in the region.
Following the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), he was appointed as the Grand Mufti of the new government and assumed leadership of the Office of Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI). His primary responsibility involved the issuance of fatwas (religious sermons) and legal opinions on matters concerning Muslim personal laws and jurisprudence.
In addition to his extensive religious and professional achievements, Mufti Udasan was fluent in multiple languages. Alongside English, Arabic, Malay, and Tagalog, he possessed proficiency in various local Moro dialects, including Maguindanaon, Maranao, Iranon, Davaonon, and Sulug (Tausug).
Legacy
The Mufti authored several books during his lifetime pertaining to the teachings of Islam. These included: Islam In Practice, The Wisdom of Jihad, The Bible of Qur’an, Islamic Dah’wah, Allegations Against Islam and How I Refuted Them, and Back to Qur’an.
In a documentation conducted by Christine Bernadette Almoite last year, regarding the books he authored, Mufti Udasan said that these manuscripts served his purpose and were integral part of his Da’wah mission.
“It is part of the success of my Dah’wah. Because you know, I know that I am going to die also, but these are my legacies, when I die, my children will have these books,” Udasan told Almoite.
When further asked about his feelings regarding the documentation of his life, he expressed that he viewed it as another form of Da’wah.
“Being a Bangsamoro, it means to say that the Bangsamoro considered as Bangsamoro not only the Muslim—even the IPs, they are also Moro people because they are native in the Moro region. I repeat, my simple message here, we have to understand each other, between the Muslim and the Christian, the IPs and the Muslims, we have to understand each other,” he said.
“You know, Islam is a religion of accommodation; Islam is a religion of association, not isolation. It is the religion of inclusivity, not exclusivity. So, there should be understanding. Peace will not be realized unless there is interfaith understanding,” the Grand Mufti emphasized.
The indelible impact of Mufti Udasan’s life and the profound grief felt throughout the Bangsamoro community serve as a testament to his remarkable contributions.
Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan served as a guiding light for the Muslim Ummah in the Bangsamoro. During times of uncertainty, his wisdom and counsel provided reassurance and direction to the community.
His profound knowledge of Islamic teachings and his unwavering dedication to the principles of faith made him an invaluable source of guidance and inspiration. Through his sermons, teachings, and tireless efforts, he illuminated the path for his followers, instilling hope and strength in their hearts.
The passing of the Grand Mufti leaves a void that will be deeply felt, as his light will forever be cherished and remembered by the Bangsamoro community. (Kasan Usop Jr./Aisah Abas/BIO with details from Muhammad Haidar Midtimbang)
