Off the Coast of the Historical City of Melaka, there is an island known as Pulau Besar which is of immense historical significance.
At Lot 840 there is a holy tomb of Shaikh Ismail ibn ‘Abd al-Qadir ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar ibn Salih ibn ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, qaddasallahu sirrah (r.a.), also known as Sultan Al-Arifin Syeikh Ismail (the “Holy Tomb”). Sultan Arifin was accorded the title of “Wali”/Saint.
Pulau Besar also surfaces in Ming Dynasty record as “Wu-Shu” and used as landmarks in the emperor’s voyages.
It is estimated that this Holy Tomb is over 700 years old. Together with this Holy Tomb is the tomb of Sharifah Rodziah and his teacher, Sheikh Yusuf as-Siddiq. Sultan Arifin who is said to be the 4th generation descendant of the infamous Sufi grandmaster Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, the guide the Muslim population of Samudera, the Peninsular and the Malay Archipelago. It is said that many embraced Islam through the grandmasters’ guidance.
Nevertheless, the Holy Tomb is visited by countless numbers of visitors sans race, religion and cultural background;
Visitors to the Holy Tomb include visitors from all other countries including Singapore, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc. There is also an influx of Muslim visitors to the Holy Tomb. During the Muslim celebrations of Maulud Rasul, visitors to the Holy Tomb exceed tens of thousands. This is during the months of Rabiul Awal and Rabiul Akhir (twice) where many visitors attend the Holy Tomb;
The Holy Tomb has been managed over the 700 years or so by its caretakers who have handed down these responsibilities from one generation to another.
Nearing the Holy Tomb is another historical site – the Makam Tujuh Adik-Beradik, tomb/shrine of the seven princesses. The seven princesses from India who while on a visited to Pulau Besar were struck down by illness and died. They were buried on the island and their graves marked with the shrine.
In 1991, the various significant structures at Lot 840 and PT No.10 including the Holy Tomb were demolished by the Defendants/Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka and/or their agents. Further the said Makam Tujuh Adik-Beradik was “transferred” to Lot 840.
Coincidentally, a few days later the largest dam in the state called Empangan Durian Runtuh suddenly “dried-up”. Where did the water go? The state of Malacca underwent difficult times for almost a year.
Further, there are regulated rules of conduct to be observed on the Island. Alcohol nor pork ought NOT to be brought onto the Island. Many boats are said to have capsized as a consequence. Dressing codes and rude and immoral conduct of her visitors have also been equally “punished”. …. Truth or fiction?
The Holy Tomb and the other structures were restored and reconstructed in 1999.
It is said that vows & boons are prayed for and received here making Pulau Besar somewhat special to its visitors. Whatsoever their wish, it is undisputed that its cultural and historical heritage of primary significant.
