Blissful Decades of Tadrees

Let’s start with Ustad’s personal life; Birth, place, and family background

I was born in 1945 in my mother's house at Mavara, two km far from Kumaranellur. Mainly my family was dependent on farming. Father Kunjali was a good farmer and grandfather Kunjumuhammed was a merchant. I was the eldest in the family as we grew up in my mother’s home until I was four. The house in Kumaranallur, a small thatched house built of mud, was constructed after four years.

Ustad's Elementary Education

My primary education was in Othupally (traditional way of Islamic education) at Kumaranallur. I was five or six years old then. Thurakkal Muhammed Master was the School manager and my first teacher. He ran the school with twenty rupees offered by the School management monthly and handouts of students. There was a custom that Mollas used to receive a small amount of money, jaggery, and coconut from students in the tenure of completing chapters.

The Othupally class will end at 10:00 and School starts after half an hour. There were five teachers and thirty students in a class. After the Kumaranallur education, I went to Mappila school. I could not enroll in high school.

The experiences of long Dars life

Dars life began under the erudite scholar Padinjarangadi Koyakutti Musliyar in Marayamkunnu Dars. Shamsul Iman, Kifayathul Avam, and Mizan to Thuhfa studied from there. When started Dars in Kumaranallur I transferred there.  Molur Muhammed Musliyar was the Mudarris (teacher). Due to senior students taking classes to juniors I, Muhammed Unni Padinjarangadi, Faqrudhin Koyambathur learned Qatharunnadha and part of Alfiya from Sa’dullah Musliyar.  After the demise of Muhammed Musliyar, Shujai Muhammed Musliyar was the Mudarris but I continued under seniors.

I went to Kulathol Dars of Thenutti Musliyar and stayed there studying the last parts of Alfiya and Fathhul Mueeen. After 5 months I moved to Valavannur Dars of Moidheen Baqawi. Cherur Usman Musliyar, Vengara Ahmed Musliyar, and Cherur Kunjutty Musliyar were my classmates. I studied from Mammikutti Musliyar classical texts like Sharahuthahdeeb, Muqthasar, Mahalli, Falaq, and  Qulasa in Padinjarangadi and Cherukunnu Dars.  

Reminiscence of Higher education

My Vellur educational period was between 1968 to 70. Shaikh Hasan Hazrath was then Principal. Fazfari Kutti Musliyar, Sayyid Baqthiyar Hazrath, Zainul Abidin Hazrath, and Kamaludhin Hazrath were the instructors. Lectures were taken in Urdu Language and it was mandatory to learn. Tanqeez, Thauzeeh, qazi, and Sullamusubuth were the significant texts. I was taught Risala by my classmate Athipatta Abdu Musliyar.

The lion part of Ustad’s service was at Cheravallur. How were those days?

I was graduated in 1970 and 25 years old then. In that year I entered into service in Cheravallur pursuing the suggestion of my venerable teacher Usthad Mammikutti. There were only five or six students from outside in the first three years. Nattudars were very popular in that period. Once Thazhava Ustad visited Masjid as part of an oration program. In favor of the discipline of Dars, he enrolled his son Saeed to my Dars. Swalih, brother’s grandson of Kakkidipuram Ustad, was one of my pupils. In the absence of Qatheeb, I performed Quthuba.

Ustad’s Marriage and children

Khadeeja daughter of Keettil Valappil Muhammed Haji is my wife. I have three children; two girls and one boy.

How was the relationship with the founding father of Darul Hidaya, K V Muhammed Musliyar?

At the time of 1982, I was the president of SYS of Ponnani Taluk. P V Muhammed Musliyar was the secretary. As a part of constructing an orphanage, a committee was appointed in the presidency of K V Usthad. Even I met occasionally Ustad, I have not had a deep acquaintance. For he had passed away when I was designated as Principal here (Darul Hidaya Da’wa College).

I had trouble dealing with the questions regarding  Ahlu Sunna. At the same time, there were  Classes of Ustad in Darul Hidaya on this topic. He had a vital influence on me keeping me vigorous in this field.

About Spiritual Journey

Occasionally I visited Kakkidipuram Ustad when I was young. I have Ijazah on some particular subjects from Shaykh Hasan Hazrath. Bappu Musliyar and Sayyid Hibathullah of Chavakkad are my spiritual guides. Feel glad to have a close relationship with Thripanachi Ustad and Thenu Musliyar.

Translated By Mohammed Ajnas