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Shaykh Sulaiman bin Abdurahmaan

1777-1859​

Shaykh Sulaiman at Bainskloof

"Learn your lineages so that you can maintain ties of kinship. For keeping ties of kinship brings love among the relatives, increases wealth, and extends one's lifespan." Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1979

This website preserves the history, lineage, and family memory of Sayyid Shaykh Sulaiman bin Abdurahmaan, who is buried at Bainskloof Pass near Wellington, South Africa. It brings together oral history, family scrolls, archival material, and DNA research so that descendants and visitors can understand who he was and how his legacy continued through the generations.

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Why This Site Exists​

For many years, descendants across different family branches preserved the memory of Shaykh Sulaiman through oral tradition, inherited documents, and family research. Over time, those strands began to confirm one another. This site exists to gather that material into one place so that the history can be remembered with clarity and respect.

At a Glance​

Origins and Journey​

Shaykh Sulaiman came from the Hijaz and is remembered as a scholar and religious leader whose journey eventually brought him to the Cape. Family tradition preserves that he was banished from Makkah in the early 1800s and that he later settled in South Africa, where his descendants continued across Worcester, Claremont, and Wynberg.

He has also been featured in Shafiq Morton's respected book Circle of the Saints, a recent publication that highlights the enduring significance of the Cape saints and kramats.

Sayyid Lineage​

Family memory, Arabic scrolls, archival records, and DNA research all contribute to the case that Shaykh Sulaiman was a Sayyid, a descendant of Sayyida Fatima (RA), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Three Main Family Lines​

The three main lines documented on this site descend through his sons:

  1. Imam Sadan - Worcester line
  2. Imam Abdulla - Claremont line
  3. Imam Magmoed - Wynberg line

Key Places​

  • Bainskloof Kramat: Bainskloof Pass, Wellington, 7655
  • Coordinates: -33.5797222, 19.135
  • Google Maps: View location

Family Tree​

Patrilineal Family Tree (password required; ask a family member to demo the tree)

Family line guide This guide helps descendants identify which son they descend from.

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