Zainal Mustafa was born under the name Hudaemi in Singaparna, Tasikmalaya Regency, Dutch East Indies in 1899.

[4][5] During a ceremony at Sukamanah square, Mustafa and his followers refused to bow to honor the Japanese emperor, or saikeirei (最敬礼, lit.

The Japanese secret police soon attempted to assassinate Mustafa while he prayed, but missed and hit another devotee.

[7] In response to this and increasing instances of Japanese-ordered forced labour, Mustafa formed his own militia and began training for an armed struggle, which he planned to launch on 1 Maulud (25 February 1944).

[3] On 25 February 1944, the Japanese, totaling six companies of soldiers, two of heihos, one of raiders, and two motorized brigades, besieged Pesantren Sukamanah.

Mustafa was arrested in Kampung Cihaus and taken to Batavia (modern day Jakarta), while 120 people died in the siege.