Scholar of Riyadha Mosque

Sayyid Abdulrahman also known as Shariff Khitamy was the last child of Sayyid Ahmad Badawy through his wife Aisha bint Abdallah bin Muhammad Bakthir and was born in Lamu in 1921. He started his early education at the Riyadha Mosque where he gained academic and intellectual skills.

Shariff Khitamy had memorized many of the Islamic works at an early age and would often be found close to his uncle Sayyid Aidarus. He also studied under:

  • Sayyid Muhammad Saggaf
  • Sayyid Muhammad Adnan Al-Ahdal
  • Sheikh Salim Basafar
  • Sheikh Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Ali Breik Al-lamy (Mombasa)
  • Sheikh Muhammad Abushir (Faza)
    • and
  • Sheikh Suleyman Alawi (Zanzibar)

Later on, Shariff Khitamy became the Administrator of Madarastul Najaah Lamu. Shariff Khitamy was not contented in staying at Lamu. He, as was the way of his grandfathers, decided to move and settled at Mombasa in the early 1950’s. There, he disseminated his knowledge and cured the sick. Many people flocked his house in Baghani area of Mombasa for treatment.

Despite his busy schedules, he offered Darasas (mosque lectures) in Masjid Anisa and Masjid Mandhry on daily basis. Sometimes people would go to his house for academic consultations or to seek some solutions on matters related to religion. He had taught many students. Some of his students include:

  • Sayyid Ahmad bin Muhammad Al-Hussein (Badawy Mwenye wa Nana
  • Sheikh Ali bin Muhammad Darrani
  • Sheikh Al-Hafidh Uthman bin Muhammad Al-Hilal
  • Ustadh Umar bin Abdallah Al-lamy
  • Sheikh Hamid bin Muhammad Khalfan
  • Sheikh Hassan Makame
    • and
  • Sayyid Muhammad bin Sayyid Hassan Al-Nadhir (Shariff Karama)
.

Shariff Khitamy was known as one of relics of Islam in East Africa. This was due to his long service to the people irrespective of their creed. Shariff Khitamy, in his last days became ill for a while and finally passed away in year 2005. He was buried near the graves of his father and grandfather in Lamu.