Masjid Tok Muar, Negeri Sembilan – 1900

“Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once...” - Lillian Dickson

(Masjid Tok Muar Kuala Pilah)

GPS: 2.747604, 102.249536
02°44′51.37″N 102°14′58.33″E

When reached the town of Kuala Pilah, from the main traffic light junction we saw the elegant Masjid Yam Tuan Radin. This new mosque was rebuilt on the original site of the old mosque which was relocated somewhere else. Our mission today was to visit the old Masjid Bandar Kuala Pilah.

Masjid Bandar Kuala Pilah also known as Masjid Tok Muar was originally located on the banks of Sungai Muar. It was moved to its current location to make way for a bigger, newer mosque, Masjid Yam Tuan Radin, to accommodate the growing population of Kuala Pilah.

  

(A long climb to the mosque)

Masjid Tok Muar was built before 1900 which took the name of the first Penghulu Luak Ulu Muar named Dato' Muar Bongkok Abdul Malik who lived around 1839. It is said that he was buried in the original site of the mosque. Tok Muar Bongkok lived around the same time as Yam Tuan Radin, the 4th Yam Tuan of Negeri Sembilan.

 

(The frontal view)

(The posterior view)

(The side view)

Sungai Muar was once an important river route. According to old folk tales, traders especially from Johor and Melaka, travelled via this river and stopped to trade with the locals. With rapid expansion of trade business, the traders built a surau which eventually became a mosque for the use of visitors and residents of Kuala Pilah.

(A small prayer hall)

(Accessible through three main doors)

Masjid Tok Muar Mosque is the oldest mosque in Kuala Pilah. The old mosque has a traditional design concept and is made of wood and thatched roofing. According to historical records at the Kuala Pilah District Land Office, the mosque was registered as a Mosque Reserve in 1915 and the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council acted as the Trustee. This mosque was once used as a place to perform friday prayers before it was moved to its present location.

(Situated on higher ground)

(Follow the SOP)

Masjid Tok Muar is now located within a housing estate in Taman Cemerlang. The position of the mosque now looks like an island due to massive housing development around the mosque and the fish ponds originally surrounding the mosque had been filled and became residential area.

To prevent soil erosion, a retaining wall was built around the mosque. The old mosque has been repaired and renovated and presently used as a center for newly converts in Kuala Pilah under the management of Yayasan Kasih Sayang Negeri Sembilan.