History: The Biography of Poet Abshir Nuur Faarax (Bacadle)

Today, on October 10, 2010, the world lost, may Allah have mercy on him, Father Poet Abshir Nuur Faarax, who was known as Abshir-Bacadle, and was a poet, philanthropist, and advocate for justice Abshir-Bacadle Nuur Faarax.

His Birth and Upbringing

Father Abshir was born in the countryside of Gaalkacyo in 1946, while his father was away on a business trip. Two months after his birth, his grandfather was informed that a boy had been born. He then said: “He is Abshir,” referring to the good and joyful news. Thus, Father took the name “Abshir.” However, grandfather Nuur Faarax, may Allah have mercy on him, was not fortunate enough to see his son Abshir, as he was killed during that trip due to clan conflict. As Father Abshir mentioned in the poem he dedicated to his father, he said:

“While I lay on the ground, they said you have died, my father

When my Lord has blessed me with wealth

I am the one who laid the foundation of this building

And I am the one who performed the pilgrimage and extended prayers

When I see a good construction, I place a stone

And when I place my face, I offer prayers for it

O Allah, forgive those who called out near the Kaaba

Those tears that fall from my eyes are for my family

What I have given and the prayers are all for you, my father

Inshaa Allah, they will kiss and the prayers will be accepted.”

After the death of his father Nuur, Abshir and his family moved to the town of Mustaxiil, which is part of Godeey, Western Somalia. There, they had agricultural land belonging to his maternal uncle's family. Specifically, Abshir and his family were warmly welcomed in Mustaxiil by his second uncle, Axmed Cilmi Geeddi (Urufey).

There, their family became farmers and livestock herders. Abshir grew up there and began his Quranic education. His mother, Ayeeyo Xaawo Faarax Geeddi, took care of him and worked hard for his upbringing.

His Education

Abshir began his education at a Quran school, as was customary in Somali society. Several teachers taught him the Quran, including Macallin Ibraahin, Macallin Cumar Libaax, and Macallin Abuukar Macoow.

After that, he moved on to other studies; he would follow the books read in the mosques, and he particularly focused on the Shafi'i jurisprudence. He was also a muezzin at the mosque, and people loved his voice. The people in his community at that time would call him “Sheekh Abshir.”

He also had a relationship with Sheekh Nuuraddiin Cali Axmed, from whom he learned the interpretation of the Quran and the science of monotheism, which the sheikh was well-known for.

His Journey to Mogadishu and the Beginning of His Business

While Abshir and his family were in Mustaxiil, they had a farm and cattle from which they derived their livelihood. During that time, Abshir was often tasked with protecting the farm from flying birds and animals. He greatly disliked that work. Tired of that task, he said:

“I have never seen a farm that benefits my father.”

Anna I am close to you, my eyes have fallen

I do not sleep, nor do I lie down during the day

Like a boon that has been taken, the tide has risen

Like a thief who has stolen, he continues to steal

Oh God, that thing, do not let it go from me.

After that, Aabbe's mother took him to the city of Beledweyne, where he stayed for a while. Then, his grandmother sold a goat that belonged to the family. The money from the goat was used to send him on his journey to Mogadishu, while the rest was wrapped around him.

On that journey, Aabbe was accompanied by men of his same lineage, who were also among those heading to Mogadishu. Grandmother Xaawo advised those men.

Finally, Aabbe arrived in Mogadishu in early 1964, where he started his free trade, particularly small businesses.

At that time, Aabbe started with various small jobs, then moved on to other businesses. Throughout those businesses, Aabbe always connected his life to God, and he would often pray to ask for what he wanted.

While he was in the market for a while, Aabbe recited a short poem in which he prayed to God to bless his small business. He said:

“Oh God, You are the one who provides, the generous and great

You are the one who distributes sustenance and places it in various places

A man who finds cold and someone who gives him warmth

In Your treasury, there is no one who takes from it

Oh God, since You have written for me, You have divided for me

Oh God, make it easy for me, for You are the capable one!”

After that period, Aabbe's business was making progress every time, until he became a well-known businessman in the community he lived in.

When God supported him and his life improved, Aabbe brought his entire family and most of his relatives to the city, so they could engage in activities there.

He became a full support, helping with livestock and strength. He opened businesses for some, while he built homes for others.

The reason he was given the nickname “Bacadle” was that he was a businessman. When his business thrived, he expanded his market presence and used to sell in the Bacadle market in Xamarweyne. For that reason, the people of the market named him “Bacadle.”

Aabbe was among the creators, poets, and great patriots that Somalia experienced in the 20th century. He was also well-known for helping the underprivileged. The name Aabbe Abshir and his poems are deeply intertwined with the history of Somali literature and the struggle of the Somali people, especially during the transitional periods and the difficult phases the country went through.

Additionally, he was a poet who could authentically express the essence of marriage; he was a poet of verses, songs, and other forms of poetry, able to convey messages in whichever direction he desired. He was a cleric who dedicated everything he could to the promotion and defense of religion, and Waaxidkana, it is God SWT, who granted him requests, goodness, and blessings.

The Beginning of His Literary Creation

Aabbe Abshir wuxuu ka soo jeeday reer caan ku ah suugaanta, gaar ahaan gabayga. Isagu wuxuu gabayga bilaabay yaraantiisii, isaga oo iskudayi jiray inuu curiyo tixo gaagaaban. Sannadkii 1977kii ayuu si toos ah u bilaabay curinta gabay dhaxalgal ah, markii uu u dhashay wiilkiisii curadka ahaa ee “Nuuraddiin”, oo uu ugu magacdaray sheekhiisii Sheekh Nuuraddiin, ee tafsiirka u soo dhigay.

Wuxuu u tiriyay gabay uu ugu magac daray “Dardaaran”. Hasayeeshee, Aabbe kama mid ahayn dadka si fudud u curiya gabayga; waxay ku qaadan jirtay waqti inuu curiyo gabay qiimo leh oo dhaxalgal ah.

Inta badan gabayadiisu waxay xoogga saari jireen diinta, gaar ahaan tawxiidka. Gabayada qaarkood wuxuu si xikmad leh ugu cabbiri jiray aayadaha Qur’aanka iyo axaadiista, isaga oo dadka ugu soo gudbin jiray si fudud oo la fahmi karo. Sidoo kale, gabayadiisu waxay xoogga saari jireen arrimaha bulshada, waddaniyadda iyo xaqudirirka.

Gabayadiisa qaarkood, Aabbe wuxuu ku hadli jiray afka dadka masaakiinta ah ee dhibban ama dadka aan codkooda meel sare gaarsiin karin, isaga oo u doodi jiray xuquuqdooda. Inta badan gabayadiisu waxay ka hadli jireen waaqica taagnaa.

Sidoo kale, gabayadiisa wuxuu si toos ah ula hadli jiray suufiyada iyo dadka qubuuraha barya,isaga oo u iftiimin jiray xaqa una sheegayay tawxiidka iyo dariiqa toosan.

Inta badan gabayadiisa wuxuu ku duubi jiray cajalado; qaarkoodna waxay ahaan jireen kuwo qoran oo keliya, oo uusan ku luuqayn. Wuxuu lahaa luuq/siiq kala duwan oo uu gabayada ku qaadi jiray, hal luuqna kuma koobnayn.

Qaar ka mid ah gabayadiisa aadka loo yaqaanno waxaa ka mid ah:

Poem “You Own the Burden”

Poem “Clannism”

Poem “Maxamadow Take My Advice” (Marriage)

Poem “Monotheism”

Poem “The Courts”

Poem “Reconciliation”

Most of Aabbe's poems can be found in the book “The Anthology of Poet Abshir Bacadle” written by the author, Dr. Maxamed Xuseen Macallin.

Philanthropist: His Assistance to the Poor and Criticism of Society

Aabbe was a person well-known in the community for helping the poor and generosity; he would give people more than they expected. He would assist people with whatever Allah had provided. As far as I remember from my childhood, I would see on Eid day, after the prayer, poor people filling the house to the outside, standing in lines. Then he would distribute amounts reaching 50,000 Somali shillings connected together. Also, there were funds sent by people abroad, wanting to donate. Aabbe would deliver those funds to the needy and impoverished people.

Among Aabbe's characteristics was that on some afternoons, when he was returning home, he would check the market for what was left by small business owners, so he could buy the leftovers. Whether it was a mother who had sold her goods or a man who had not sold anything until that morning, even if it was something the house did not need, he would buy it.

His many contributions and generosity later became a point of criticism for Aabbe, after his business declined. They said: “A man who is stingy has no inheritance.” However, Aabbe always believed that what is given with a generous hand will return. In response to those who criticized him, he said:

“The smoke of falsehood has heard that I was harmed

They sent a message that I do not say

A man who is stingy has no inheritance, they swear

The smile of the elephant cannot be hidden

Today he dies, who gives a sparkle

That is what I mean, and I will not prolong it for you

Do not let the money pass you by.

When I die, will it not happen that I am forgotten?

And will my right hand not give what it has inherited?

Let it never end, nor let my children forget it

I entrust it to God, may He provide well

And I will give it, may He grant me paradise.”

The Imprisonments and Detentions of Mutay

Aabbe has gone through three detentions: two during the military regime of the Siad Barre government and one during the government of Abdullahi Yusuf. Each time he was detained for his courage in speaking the truth and the poems he composed in opposition to the government. However, the detentions he experienced did not prevent him from speaking the truth. He was a person who stood firm in his position and persisted in what he believed.

His Participation in the Union of Islamic Courts and Rejection of al-Shabaab's Ideology

Father was among those who founded the government of the Islamic Courts during the six months that the community enjoyed its peace. He was the one who provided the first funds to start the work of the Union of Islamic Courts.

He used to support it with his livestock, and he encouraged people to support the Islamic Union of Courts. Since he was a person loved by the people and had many connections in the community, he made it easier for the government to gain support from the community.

He used to recite motivational poems at Tarabunka Junction, where people would gather at that time, to listen to Father’s poems and the speeches of Sheikh Sharif, who was then part of the leadership of the Union of Islamic Courts.

After the Islamic Courts were removed and Ethiopian troops invaded the country, the community lost the peace they had. It happened that people were oppressed; men with beards were arrested, and women wearing large hijabs and carrying glasses were instilled with fear.

Due to the pressure and hardships the community was feeling, Father recited this poem expressing the suffering of the people. He said:

“When the enemy was defeated,

The scholars were scattered,

The dead are beyond teaching

When the sweet is not tasted,

Or the feet are not held

Every evening is ten

The insects below

There is no count for the roadblocks,

It is a gathering of thieves,

The people were oppressed

They are taken from their homes,

I was in a bad state,

Children and women

Evening is not sent,

It is feared

We return to this door,

There is no way out,

The sunset is chaotic,

No one buys a mobile phone,

His enemy is many

And it is feared,

We have a problem

Peace is fragile,

Except for a man and his illness,

There is no clarity or justice,

We have a problem.

There is no dignity or honor,

There is no clear judgment,

There is no general security,

There is no lasting peace,

There is no beauty or flower,

There is no green or fragrance,

There is no beauty in the beauty

The scholars have no voice,

The voice of Sheikh Sharif is absent,

Who used to have faith,

And used to correct the creed,

Famous for his kindness,

And devoted to the people,

We have a problem;”

After the collapse of the Islamic Courts, various groups claiming to be religious organizations were established. The most notorious among them is the terrorist group al-Shabaab, which does not embody the correct creed of our religion.

At that time, they began to kill people, labeling them as traitors or apostates. They specifically targeted journalists and anyone they suspected of being involved in the government system.

Father Abshir was among those who strongly opposed their twisted ideology. In a radio interview, he said: “A religion that is wrongly imposed on you is worse than a bomb explosion.”

Many times, there was fear that Aabbe would be killed, as he would go to work every morning at his business located in Bakaaraha, which was the base of the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

The Children He Left Behind

Aabbe left behind 30 and several children in this world. He always strived for his children to learn religious sciences more than secular education. May Allah have mercy on him, he was a parent who loved his children very much and was very compassionate towards them. The best legacy he left for his children was raising them in the study of religious sciences, especially tawheed.

His Death

Aabbe Abshir passed away on the night of October 10, 2010, after suffering from a heart ailment that he had been struggling with for 15 days. Aabbe was not someone who would lie down due to his illness, but he would show great resilience. Every morning he would go to work, and after returning home, he would pray the Maghrib prayer at the neighborhood mosque.

On the day he would pass away, he went to work in the morning as was his custom. In the afternoon when he returned, he prayed the Maghrib prayer at the neighborhood mosque, while being unwell. However, he was unable to go to the mosque for the Isha prayer, as his illness had worsened. It was the first time he could not go to the mosque due to that illness since it had started. After the Isha prayer, Aabbe prayed at home. Hours later, while lying on his bed, he passed away.

In conclusion, the poetry that people were discussing and remembering after the death of Aabbe was the verse he spoke at the grave, which was:

“O Allah, grant me much kindness

Have mercy on the merciful

When the time of death comes to me

When my time is fulfilled

A world I will depart from

The last word that I will utter

My tongue will proclaim

And I will love my heart

And I will say with sincerity

Accepted and approved

There is no deity but Allah

And may the fragrance of our Prophet [SCW]

O Allah, lead me

And protect me from fear.”

WQ: Caa’isha Abshir-Bacadle Nuur Faarax

Writer and Designer