Dato' Mursyid Diraja Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abdullah was born in 1899 in Kampung Alor Ibus, Tebengau, Alor Setar, Kedah. He received his early education (knowledge in Quran) from his own father, Haji Abdullah. Later, in 1916, he continued his secondary education at the Madrasah Al-Masyhur, Penang. Then, he continued his studies further for three years at the Madrasah of Tuan Hussin Nasir, Pantai Merdeka, Kedah.

In 1918, Haji Abdul Rahman left for Mecca to further his quest for knowledge. In Mecca, he received his education under the guidance of a number of prominent religious teachers such as Syeikh Othman Sarawak, Abdul Kadir Mendahiling, Syeikh Umar Bajunid, Tuan Mufti Hambali, Syeikh Ali Maliki and Syeikh Salleh Bikri. Apart from that he also studied under the guidance of Tuan Guru Pak Da Ei (Pak Muda Ismail) and Pak Wan Daud, both of whom were from Pattani, Southern Thailand.

Career

• Teacher at religious schools and 'Madrasah'
  a. Built a 'Madrasah' at Kota Kuala Muda (1926)
  b. Established the 'Madrasah Saadatul Daroin' at Merbok, Kedah (1927)
  
• President of Muslim Scholars (Ulama) Association, Kedah
  
• Member of Supreme Committee of UMNO, Muslim Scholars
  
• Member of Kedah Religious Rulings Council
  
• Member of the Council for the Appointment of Rulers, Kedah

In appreciation of his services and contributions, he was honoured as 'Tokoh Guru' for Kedah in 1982. He was also bestowed several awards which include the Ahli Mangku Negara (A.M.N.), the Justice of the Peace (J.P) from the Sultan of Kedah, the special title of Dato' Mursyid Diraja and the Sultan of Kedah Installation Medal.