His father, Fachruddin, was a kyai and the village headman of Pakualaman, appointed by the grandfather of the ruler Paku Alam VIII.
During this time, Fachruddin taught at the Muhammadiyah school there led and coached by Hizbul Wathan before returning home.
[2] In 1950, he moved to Kauman and studied under the early Muhammadiyah figures and kyais such as Bagus Hadikusumo, Basyir Mahfudz, Badilah Zuber, and Ahmad Badawi.
Subsequently, he served as the top leader of the organization for almost a quarter of the 20th century, before being replaced by the late Azhar Basyir.
After being admitted to the Jakarta Islamic Hospital, Fachruddin died on March 17, 1995, leaving seven sons and daughters.