Biography

Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin (7 March 1913 - 1 January 2006) was an Indonesian ulama, politician, and writer. He was born in Bangkinang, Kampar Regency, as the eldest son of three of Muhammad Amin and Taraima, both were a cloth trader. His brothers were Hasyim bin Muhammad Amin and Ahmad bin Muhammad Amin, both were a trader and glassware dealer. Zakaria also had a half-brother, Ahmad Sanusi bin Muhammad Amin, a journalist, and two half-sisters, Siti Mariam binti Muhammad Amin, a homemaker, and Syarafiah Norwawi binti Muhammad Amin, a cook, from his father second marriage. All of his siblings were lived in Kuala Lumpur and became Malaysian citizen in the 1960s. Zakaria's parents worked by selling clothes in markets that moved from village to village along Riau-West Sumatra road and raise a buffalo cage in their paddy fields. He spent his childhood by helping his parents in taking care and herd the livestock they own. Zakaria was always woken up at 04:00 AM by his parents to help prepare the merchandise and attend the congregational Fajr prayer. He will then continue his activities by looking after the livestock throughout the day. Zakaria also spents his time playing marbles, and kites along with his friends, and also swam with them at Kampar River while herding buffalo. In 1920, at the age of seven, Zakaria started his education by went to Volks School, but only lasted until third grade due to has an interest in religious knowledge rather than science.