One of Mama Gentur’s students was KH Abdullah Nuh, a scholar and a skilled diplomat of his time, proficient in various languages. His name is often associated with Al-Ghazali, referred to as the “Al-Ghazali of Indonesia” because of his intelligence and exemplary conduct. He was the founder of the Al-Ghazali pesantren in Bogor. KH Abdullah Nuh was awarded the title of National Hero for his contributions to the independence struggle.
Then there’s Syekh Ahmad Shohibul Wafa (Abah Anom), who was also a student of Mama Gentur. Abah Anom was a charismatic scholar from Suryalaya, Tasikmalaya Regency. He played a significant role in education and was the founder of the Qodariah and Naqsabaandiah Sufi orders in West Java. In 1961, Abah Anom established the Serba Bakti Foundation, which housed various formal educational institutions such as kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, vocational schools, Islamic junior high schools, Islamic senior high schools, the Islamic Academy for Advanced Studies (IAILM), Latifah Mubarokiah School of Economics, and the Inabah Youth pesantren. All of these initiatives were guided by the teachings and knowledge acquired from his teacher, Mama Gentur or Syekh Ahmad Syatibhi.
Another notable student, who had a role and influence in West Java, was Abuya KH Hasan Mustofa, son of Abah Sanean, often referred to as Abuya Sanean from Bogor. Abuya Sanean was one of the proponents of Islam in West Java, particularly in the Bogor region and its surroundings.
Abuya Sanean was also the founder of the Darul Huda pesantren in Cisarua, Bogor. He was known as an expert in Arabic grammar, morphology, and rhetoric in the Bogor region. He was counted among the successful students of Mama Gentur or Syekh Ahmad Syatibhi, who educated their students to become influential scholars in the West Java region.
Works of Mama Gentur
According to KH Muhammad Aby Sofyan bin H Hasanudin bin Silihwangi, Mama Syatibhi passed away on Wednesday, the last day of Jumadil Akhir in 1365 H or May 15, 1946 AD. Mama Syatibhi or Mama Gentur passed away in his hometown. Despite his departure long ago, Mama Syathibi is always remembered in part because of his works. He left behind more than 80 works in Arabic and Sundanese languages.
Among his most famous works are the book Sirajul Munir (Islamic jurisprudence), Tahdidul ‘Ainain (Islamic jurisprudence), al-Muqoddimah Samarqondhiyah, al-Fathiyah, Dahlaniyah (rhetoric), Muntijatul Lathif (neurology), Nazom ‘Addudiyah (prosody), and others. Mama Gentur’s authored books continue to be used as a source of knowledge in pesantrens, especially in the West Java region, to this day. Thus, these books always have an influence on the scholarship of his students and the students of his students.
It is not an exaggeration to call him the “Father of Education from the Land of Pasundan”. May he be remembered for his contributions to religion and the country. Al fatihah…