E. K. Aboobacker Musliar

Died 1966

E. K. Aboobacker Musliyar (also called Shamsul Ulama) (1914–1996) was a Sunni Muslim scholar and religious leader from Paramblikadavu, near Kozhikode, Kerala state, South India.^[1]

He led a religious organisation of Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala as the General Secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama for 40 years, until his death in 1996.^[2]

Early life

Shamsul Ulama was born to a Yemeni family in the east of the city of Kozhikode, in the village of Paranbekadav, in 1914. He married Fathima, the daughter of famous scholar Adeyotill Aboobacker. Shamsul Ulama grew up at Esutiachan Kandi. He received primary education from his father. He learned the basics of Arabic. He went on to study at the school of Kathra Haji, 9 km from where he lived. Shamsul Ulama studied in an English medium school. On one occasion, his father discovered a collection of English books in his room. Worried that his son was losing sight of his religious education, he sent Ulama to a Darse. During 20th century Shamsul Ulama studied under many famous scholars, such as Marhoom Kuttubbi Muhammed Musliyar, Abdul Khader Fazfari, Kanniyath Ahmed Musliyar, Ahmed Koya Shaliyath, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Hazarath and Sheikh Adam Hazarath. He received numerous degrees in Islamic teaching.

Contributions

In 1937, Shamsul Ulama went to Baqiyath Swalihath; a religious center in Tamil Nadu. During his time there, he embarked on pilgrimages to many tombs of India.

He studied several languages, such as Arabic, English, Suriyani, Urdu, French, Tamil, and Sanskrit.

After completing his higher studies in Baqiyath, he was appointed as a professor there. He taught many other scholars at the institution, such as Sayyid Abdu Rahman al Azhari and Zainuddeen Kutti Musliyar.

In 1948, Shamsul Ulama returned home to Kerala to receive treatment for small pox. After this he worked as teacher of Urdu in J.D.T Calicut, which was at the time under Sunni management. He married the daughter of Ummachu, Fathima.

The 18th anniversary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulama was held at Vallanjery in 1950. In 1957 Paravanna Ustha died and Shamsul Ulama was elected as the secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulama. He resumed this office until his demise.

He was also the president of Sunni Mahal Federation and vice president of Samastha Kerala Islam Matha Vidyabyasa board.

Shamsul Ulama worked as teacher in Taliparamba, Karuvan Truthi, Padanna, Madayi, Poochakkad, Tannur Islahul Uloom Arabic College, Pattikad Jamiya Nuriya, Nandi Darul Salam, and Baqiyath Swalihath.

Campaigns

Various bidʻahs (new practices and innovations alien to Islam) spread all over Kerala, and many Sunni scholars viewed them as a problem. During this time Shamsul Ulama engaged in many sermons and speeches. He was an active presence in many works and discussions.

In his entire life, he worked as writer and orator. He wrote many articles on religious subjects. Kuthubathl Juma, Kadiyanism Gandanam are the good examples for his books. He wrote Tishalathul Arabathill Muthansabu during his period as teacher in Jamiya.

In the time of his life Christian missionaries began to spread their religion in areas of Malabar. During this time Malabar Muslims faced new challenges; he emerged as fighter against them through his great tongue.

In 1955, Wahhabism spread in Wayanad, and Shamsul Ulama encouraged his co-workers Paravanna Muhyaddeen Kutti Musliyar and Kottumala Usthad to preach against this at Ponnangod, Wayanad.

The 18th anniversary convocation of Samastha was the venue of Shamsul Ulama’s proclamation against Qadiyanism. He called on the followers of Qadiyani to accept the ideology of Islam.

Demise

Shamsul Ulama was admitted to Fathima hospital on 19 August 1996, and died the next day. He was buried next to Varakkal Mullakkoya Thangal,the founder of SKJU, near Puthiyangadi Kozhikode. His tomb is the subject of several pilgrimages in Kerala.

Miracles Performed

Shamsul Ulama is claimed to have worked miracles, including:

• Abdul Rahman, a youth was suggested by doctors to undergo for a major operation. He visited the tomb of Shamsul Ulama and prayed for his recovery. After some days he was given certificate of good health by doctors.
• Ali Baba had pain in his kidney and he consulted Shamsul Ulama for pray. Shamsul Ulama suggested him to meet Kakipuram Aboobacker Musliyar and Usthad suggested him some Zikr. His recovery was lightning fast.
• Sayyid Jifri Muthu Koya said that when he faced many difficulties and problems in every matters, he used to visit tomb of Shamsul Ulama and seeks for good solution.
• Singapore government ordered to destroy the tomb of sheik Nooh Qazi, a famous Islamic leader in Singapore. Shamsul Ulama predicted that the government would not be able to destroy it. At last government withdrew their order.
• In the 70th anniversary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulama, Shamsul Ulama was in front raw and he was suffering from many diseases. He left stage and ordered Cherushery Zainuddeen Musliyar to come front and to sit there. After the demise of Shamsul Ulama, Cherushery Zainuddeen Musliyar became the secretary of the organization.
• During the first years of Darul Huda Islamic university, Bapputti Haji, its founder, said to Shamsul Ulama that the income of DHIU was not enough to meet its needs. Shamsul Ulama replied "don’t worry Saeed Alavi Mampuram will help you." After many years the property of Mampuram tomb was added to the income of DHIU.

References