Safiyyah Bint Wan 'Ali Kutan
Prepared by: Kamil Mahmoud Fatani

The family of Shaykh Muhammad Nur is considered the largest in number and highest in standing among the descendants of our great grandfather, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Fatani. These descendants—Abdullah, Muhammad Nur, Amin, Fatima, Khadijah, and Dawud—were born to their mother, Aminah bint Sa'id Faraj, a resident of Fayoum, Egypt.

Our grandfather, Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Fatani, was impressed by her beauty and virtue, so he married her, and she bore him sons and daughters. Muhammad Nur, the second son of Muhammad ibn Isma'il, was born on a Friday in 1873 CE (1290 AH).

Shaykh Muhammad Nur grew up under the care of his father, who supervised his upbringing, education, and instruction until he graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo. He was then employed and worked at the Presidency of the Judiciary in Makkah.

Muhammad Nur married the daughter of the esteemed scholar Shaykh Wan 'Ali Kutan, who was originally from Kelantan and a virtuous scholar and friend of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Fatani. Shaykh Wan 'Ali Kutan had two daughters: Safiyyah (the elder) and Fatimah (the younger).

Safiyyah possessed the most beautiful Jawi features: she was fair-skinned and relatively tall. She was educated in Islamic sciences ('ulum shari'yyah), writing, reading, and secular knowledge. She was eloquent and clear in expression, often using Quranic meanings in her daily life. She was a close and indispensable helper to her father.

Muhammad Nur was impressed by her, proposed to her, and she bore him the following children:

Name Year of Birth (CE) Original Hijri Year
Ahmad 1893 CE 1311 AH
Zain 1902 CE 1320 AH
Hasan 1907 CE 1325 AH
'Abdul Ghaffar 1909 CE 1327 AH
Yasin 1912 CE 1330 AH
Aminah 1917 CE 1335 AH

Export to Sheets
Safiyyah passed away a few months after the birth of her daughter Aminah.

Safiyyah's Role
Safiyyah was the Mistress of the House. As Shaykh Muhammad Nur al-Fatani held many significant positions in state affairs, Safiyyah was the woman who created the optimal environment for him by tending to his needs and organizing his life. She earned his love and trust and was his primary supporter in managing the work of the Tawafah (pilgrim guidance) and Hajj in Makkah.

She dedicated many years to raising and nurturing their children, guiding their education and affairs, ensuring they grew up successful in their studies and stable in their lives under the supervision and direction of their father.

Her eldest son, Ahmad, studied Islamic sciences in Makkah schools. He assisted his father in the Hajj affairs in addition to his work at the Presidency of the Judiciary. He married his paternal cousin, Asiyyah 'Abdullah Fatani.

Her son Zain was raised and educated in Makkah, became familiar with the culture, diligence, and good manners of Makkah's people, and later returned to settle in the Malay lands (Malaysia).

Her son Hasan graduated and worked as a teacher in several Makkah schools.

'Abdul Ghaffar worked as an employee at the Presidency of the Judiciary.

Her son Yasin also excelled, attaining a prestigious administrative position at the Presidency of the Judiciary.

Her daughter Aminah played a role in assisting her father after her mother's death when she was a young child. Aminah married her maternal cousin, Mahmoud Saleh Fatani.

The pivotal role of Safiyyah bint 'Ali Kutan had a great impact on guiding and nurturing her children toward successful, peaceful, and stable lives.

May God have mercy on you, Safiyyah bint 'Ali Kutan. Safiyyah passed away in 1918 CE (1336 AH) in the Great House in Makkah and was buried in the Al-Ma'lat Cemetery. May God bestow upon you the mercy of the righteous and reward you greatly for us, as you provided your children with the best Arab-Islamic upbringing. They became a source of pride and an example for us. May God gather us with you and your parents in the gardens of Paradise at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, where you will drink from a pure cup with no idle talk or sin.

Best regards,
Kamil Fatani
March 18, 2023 CE (7/9/1444 AH)