In the realm of piety and certainty, where hearts connect with their Creator and the earth blooms with the scents of the righteous, the biographies of the devout illuminate the paths of the lost and fill souls with serenity and reverence. Among those towering spiritual summits stands the name of the late Sheikh Mohsen Al-Mulhem, who lived his life in obedience and remembrance, taking the fear of God and the path of integrity as an unwavering direction, thus earning a lasting impact in the hearts of those who loved him and a light that illuminates the darkness of days.
The village of (Malah) witnessed the birth of the Sheikh in 1912, beginning a life story titled with integrity, ease, and kindness of heart. He grew up pure, loving goodness and the path of truth, enlightened by the wisdom of the elders and men of religion whom he accompanied from a young age, following in their footsteps with humility and guided by their activities. His father, the late Mahmoud Al-Mulhem, had the greatest fortune and the greatest merit in instilling the purest qualities within him, so that this great impact became the constant principle he followed throughout his life.
By 1923, the Sheikh took his first serious steps in seeking knowledge, reading with passion and fervor every religious book he could get his hands on, eager to dive into their depths to uncover the obscure meanings in their interpretations. He studied with loyalty and appreciation under the late Sheikh Abu Ali Hussein Safi, memorizing his poetry, and drew from the ocean of knowledge of Sheikh Aref Halawa, a prominent teacher in the region, who taught him the principles of Arabic calligraphy so he could copy holy books with a reverent hand.
Sheikh Mohsen's personality was distinguished by a unique cultural richness; he mastered both Arabic and French with excellence, yet the religious orientation of his heart overshadowed all his affairs. He was a fan of Arabic calligraphy and composing spiritual poetry with a heart overflowing with love for God, accompanied by the talent of a melodious voice when reciting poetry, along with an iron memory and a rich repertoire of sermons and beautiful literary anecdotes. With complete honesty and dedication, he took on the task of teaching the children of (Malah) between 1930 and 1950.
He was truly a great intellectual, an inspired poet, and a skilled speaker who captured the hearts of his listeners with his deep psychological impact, speaking with eloquence and fluency in classical Arabic. He left behind a blessed poetry diwan of 300 pages, containing sixty long poems on religious themes and elegies, rightfully earning the title of (Preacher of the Two Mountains), given to him by senior clergy in recognition of his high status, which combined profound knowledge and sublime piety.
From the overflow of his wisdom and sincere advice to his children, he guided them with these eloquent verses:
O Hamad, I urge you to look after your brothers
Before the advice of a father is no longer possible
Before he becomes remains and a corpse
And the decree of destiny comes to him at any hour
Hassan, be pious and faithful in God
For the best provision is religion, the noblest merchandise
Perform the obligatory duties and be vigilant
And be content, for treasures do not enrich like contentment
After that, I advise you, Salam and Salman
And Yahya, keep your kindness
O my support, be each other's aids through time
Forsake alienation, and love purity and kindness
Upon the conclusion of his blessed days, Sheikh Mohsen attained a high status among the people of religion and piety, passing away to be with his Lord in 2014. He was escorted in a solemn procession and a great religious gathering attended by senior sheikhs from Syria and Lebanon, and was laid to rest in his pure home, where a blessed chamber was built for visitation. A massive and reverent memorial service was also held for him at the shrine of Prophet Shu'ayb (peace be upon him) in Hittin, attended by thousands of clergy.
Thus, Sheikh Mohsen Al-Mulhem departed, while his good biography and fragrant memory remain a beacon illuminating the hearts of those who loved him, and a spiritual scent that will never fade from memory.
