A Biographical Account of Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin Yahya Fatani

Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin Ibn Yahya Fatani was a descendant of Sheikh Abdullah, the eldest son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Ismail Fatani. The Fatani family is one of the prominent Makkah families residing in the Al-Qashashiyah district, close to the Holy Mosque, Al-Masjid Al-Haram. His grandfather, Abdullah, assisted his father, Mohammed bin Ismail, in serving the pilgrims, organizing their affairs in Arafat and the Holy Sites, and providing guidance on religious and Sharia matters.

Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin Yahya Fatani was the third son of Sheikh Yahya Abdullah Fatani, who was known for his good reputation and virtuous deeds, particularly in serving his mother, siblings, and children, and in the Zuqaq Al-Khurdafushi neighborhood, where he was noted for his good character and perseverance in life.

Birth and Early Life
Zain Al-Abedin was born in 1347 AH (corresponding to 1928 CE). He grew up in the large Fatani family home located in Zuqaq Al-Khurdafushi, within the Al-Qashashiyah district near the Holy Mosque. He received his primary and intermediate education in Makkah, and then studied at the Scientific Institute for his secondary stage.

He was subsequently employed as a clerk at the Second Urgent Court in Makkah, an administration specializing in resolving disputes, social incidents, and various life events. Zain Al-Abedin was skilled in Arabic calligraphy and excellent at drafting lawsuits and describing the facts of disputes between litigants. He was known for his patience and wisdom in tracing the litigants' accounts. The head of the court, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Bassam, respected and appreciated Zain Al-Abedin Fatani for his efforts, excellent work, and diligence in performing his duties and maintaining attendance, for which he received letters of thanks and appreciation from his superior. He later worked with Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Ajlan and Sheikh Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Humaidi.

He was highly accepted and respected among the residents of Zuqaq Al-Khurdafushi and his cousins due to his good manners and sociability. His admirers included Sheikh Jamil Sijini, a lawyer for the Makkah Municipality and a resident of Zuqaq Al-Khurdafushi, as well as his friends Hamid Mohammed Noor Fatani, Mohammed Mohammed Noor Fatani, and Professor Kamel Mahmoud Fatani, among other family and friends.

He also had a close relationship with his grandmother, Khadijah bint Mohammed bin Ismail Fatani, taking care of her in her old age until her passing. After the death of his father, Sheikh Yahya Fatani, in a car fire accident on his way to Jeddah to meet his pilgrims arriving from Malaysia, a service known as "Ayyam Al-Sual" in the Pilgrims' City in Jeddah, Zain Al-Abedin took on the responsibility of caring for his mother, siblings, and sisters from a young age. After his elder brother, Abdullah Yahya, traveled to Malaysia, Zain Al-Abedin became the main provider for his large family, including his two younger brothers, Faisal and Zakaria, and his three sisters, until they grew up and started their own paths. He was also an avid reader of the Qur'an after the Fajr prayer in the Holy Mosque. Their residence was on the first floor of the large Fatani house in Al-Qashashiyah, which consisted of a reception area and its facilities, a large living and sleeping area, and a kitchen.

Family and Roles
Zain Al-Abedin married his cousin, Khadijah bint Mohammed Noor Fatani. She was raised under the care of her brother, Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Noor Fatani, and received a distinguished upbringing supervised by her sister-in-law and cousin, Asia bint Abdullah Fatani, who mentored her from childhood, teaching her domestic and religious duties and instilling self-protection, manners, and respect.

Zain Al-Abedin also assisted his brother Sheikh Abdullah, who grew up in the large family home under the supervision of his parents, completed his religious and social studies, and obtained the Tawafa (pilgrim guide) license inherited from his father, Yahya Abdullah Fatani. Abdullah spent most of the year in Malaysia, attracted by life there, where he struggled and married a Malaysian woman. He would come to Makkah only during the Hajj season (from Sha'ban until the end of Hajj). During his stay, he oversaw the affairs of his wife Safiyyah bint Sheikh Ahmed (his father Yahya's cousin) and their daughter Nour Al-Huda. Zain Al-Abedin was his brother Abdullah's primary assistant in receiving pilgrims, housing them, managing their affairs, and arranging their stay in Arafat and the waqf (endowment) house of the Fatani family in Mina. This was facilitated by Zain Al-Abedin's proficiency in the Malay language (both speaking, reading, and writing), which made dealing with the Malaysian pilgrims easy.

Zain Al-Abedin was also a source of satisfaction for his mother, Nafisa, who had struggled through life with her husband Yahya and then cared for her children after his passing. Nafisa bint Salih Fatani died in 1398 AH (corresponding to 1978 CE). After his brother Sheikh Abdullah Yahya Fatani died, Zain Al-Abedin took over the pilgrim guiding business under his own name as a special sheikhdom for the pilgrims of Malaysia and Patani (Thailand), under the name Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin Fatani.

After years of service in the Second Urgent Court, Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin managed to purchase a residence in the Al-Aziziyah district. He moved there after the large family home was damaged by fire, accommodating his mother, brothers, and sisters, and ensuring their life necessities until his mother Nafisa passed away in Makkah.

Travels Abroad
Zain Al-Abedin traveled to Egypt with his wife Khadijah, his daughter Amal, his son Hilmi, and some other family members. He later traveled to Malaysia in Shawwal 1399 AH (September 1979 CE) with his wife and some of his sons and daughters to visit relatives in Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Terengganu, and then to Kelantan ("Kotobaru"). He also traveled to France with his brother Zakaria. Finally, after retiring from his work, he traveled to the United States for two months, Ramadan and Shawwal 1404 AH (May-July 1984 CE), with his wife and some of his children to attend the graduation ceremony of his eldest son, Hilmi Zain Al-Abedin Fatani, from university.

Later Life and Passing
Zain Al-Abedin was blessed with several sons, including Hilmi, Mohammed, Zahid, and Zuhair, and five distinguished daughters. He struggled to raise them, enrolling them in schools and caring for their affairs until they completed their university education and secured employment in various sectors.

Zain Al-Abedin later moved with his sons and daughters to a house he built in a modern neighborhood, Al-Zaidi. He and his wife Khadijah, along with some of his children who preferred to live with their father after his retirement, moved into the new residence.

After many long years, his wife Khadijah bint Mohammed Noor passed away on 12 Rabi' Al-Awwal 1440 AH (November 20, 2018 CE). Zain Al-Abedin, his children, and her family grieved deeply due to their love for her, her high morals, excellent upbringing of her children, and her distinguished relationships with family and acquaintances.

After old age and illness set in, Sheikh Zain Al-Abedin Yahya Fatani passed away on Wednesday, 4 Dhul-Hijjah 1442 AH (July 14, 2021 CE), at the age of approximately 95. The funeral prayer was performed for him in the Holy Mosque after the Fajr prayer on Thursday, 5 Dhul-Hijjah 1442 AH (July 15, 2021 CE), and he was buried in the Al-Ma'la Cemetery in Makkah, where his parents, grandparents, and his faithful wife rest. He is survived by his sons (Hilmi, Mohammed, Zahid, and Zuhair) and five daughters.

May God have mercy on Zain Al-Abedin and grant him a place in His vast paradise, and gather us with him at the basin of His Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him