Haji V. Syed Abu Thahir Trading

A Whiff of Tradition

Founded in 1924, Haji V. Syed Abu Thahir Trading has been catering to Muslims for nearly a hundred years, providing products for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage activities, as well as natural products like dates, honey, and perfumes.

A sweet scent drifts through the air as you walk along North Bridge Road. The Masjid Sultan (Sultan Mosque) towers majestically over you, reflecting sunlight from its golden dome. The mosque’s intricate gold-tipped fence ends to reveal a row of shophouses, with the very first one being Haji V. Syed Abu Thahir Trading. Painted with a distinctive brown arch that is reminiscent of the mosque’s arches, the shophouse is furnished with a royal blue signboard that presents its name. Glass displays allow a peek into the interior of the store, showcasing bottles of perfume, tubes of medicated oil, terracotta incense burners and more. Thahir Trading has been catering to Muslims for nearly a hundred years, providing products for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage activities, as well as chemical-free items like dates, honey, and perfumes. The original business was established in 1924 and it was subsequently partitioned into two shops. This led to Thahir Trading registering its official year of establishment as 1987.

The Hajj and Umrah are Islamic pilgrimages to Mecca of Saudi Arabia, the holiest city in Islam. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and occurs annually. Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to carry out Hajj at least once in their lifetime, as part of their religious duty. Umrah, on the other hand, is voluntary but still highly recommended to receive spiritual renewal and can be done at any time of the year. Residing in the heart of Kampong Gelam, Thahir Trading has established itself as a reliable source for Muslims to acquire items for their pilgrimages. There are the white towels or garments that are commonly known as Ihram clothing, which Muslims wear during the pilgrimages. A special belt which holds the clothing together, is always well-stocked at the store. Lining the store’s counters in neat rows are medicated oils, a much-needed item to relieve headaches or bodily discomfort during the pilgrimage rites, which can be physically demanding.

Thahir Trading also prides itself as a shop that sells products that are completely natural. The store stocks timber chips for incense burning, made entirely of agarwood, a type of fragrant resinous wood that is extracted from Aquilaria trees. The store also offers honey that is taken directly from the tall Tualang trees in the forests of Kedah, Malaysia. The honey is pure and raw—it does not go through the process of pasteurisation, which allows it to retain its nutritional properties. Contained in intricately designed bottles are the store’s oil-based perfumes, extracted from natural sources like sandalwood and jasmine. Differing much more from the popular Western perfumes, these perfumes do not contain alcohol and give off a distinct scent. These perfumes are well-loved by Thahir Trading’s patrons, especially Muslims, who can use the perfumes for religious activities along with formal occasions and daily life.

Mr Mohammed Sharifshabibullah, also known as Mr Sabiyuallah or Mr Safi, is one of the third-generation owners of Thahir Trading. His business partner is the great-grandson of the shop’s founder; the business has been passed down from generation to generation. Over the years, Thahir Trading has built a niche customer profile due to the nature of its products. According to Mr Safi, it has become tradition for fathers to bring their sons to the store, with the sons eventually bringing their own sons, and so on. Muslims would visit the store after prayers at Sultan Mosque, browsing the store’s non-alcoholic perfumes.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic had been especially challenging for Thahir Trading. This was because Muslims had to defer their Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages due to the travel restrictions. The store saw fewer customers than before, and the lack of tourists further contributed to quieter days. To cope, Mr Safi and his business partners started selling their products online. However, not all of Thair Trading’s products can be marketed online. Without the sense of smell and touch, the selling point of the store’s products is significantly diminished.

Nevertheless, Mr Safi is proud of running the business and is not deterred by the challenging circumstances. “What brings interest to me in this business, firstly, is actually the traditions. And it includes the cultural values,” he says. “And also, this [shop] is near to the mosque, so people who just finished their prayers will feel happy, satisfied with the pilgrimage goods. I am very happy, because I am selling very, very pure things—not mixed with any kind of bad things,” Thahir Trading is meaningful to him because it is deeply rooted in culture, and he sees the continuation of the business as a way of maintaining tradition.

Interviewed by Suganti D/O Devarajan, Nur Khairiah Ahmad Samson, and Syazwani Amrun on 15 May 2022.