Shaikh Taika Ahmad ‘Abd al-Qadir

The philanthropic scholar and saint, Taikā Aḥmad ‘Abd al-Qādir (affectionately known as Shaikh Nāyagam), was born in the morning of Fri 27 Safar 1309 (2 Oct 1891) in the city of Kilakarai (Tamilnadu, India) to the zealous missionary and knower of Allāh, Ṣāḥib al-Jalwah Shāh al-Ḥamīd ibn Sayyid Muḥammad and the pious Sitti Khadījah Umma, Allāh be well pleased with them.

His Youth & Education

He grew up till the age of 7 under the watchful gaze of his beloved grandmother, Kunanggudi Umma. Those early years were also spent in the loving company of his paternal grandfather, the erudite scholar, savant and widely considered reviver of the era (Mujaddid),  Imām al-‘Arūs Sayyid Muḥammad ibn Aḥ̣mad Lebbai, Allāh be well pleased with them.

After the passing away of his revered grandfather, he received his early religious education from two notables viz. his esteemed father, and his paternal uncle, the venerated ascetic and knower of Allāh, Ṣāḥib al-Khalwah Sayyid ‘Abd al-Qādir, Allāh be well pleased with them. During this period, he also memorized the whole Qur’ān within a short span of time.

Following this phase, he continued seeking sacred knowledge at the renowned institute in Vellore, Madrasat al-Bāqiyāt al-Ṣāliḥāt, under the auspices of the distinguished scholar, A’la Haḍrat Shāh ‘Abd al-Waḥḥāb. A’la Haḍrat had a special place in his heart for his young student for two reasons:

• He was the great-grandson of his father’s teacher.
  A’la Haḍrat’s father, Āttūr Muḥammad ‘Abd al-Qādir, was a student of Kilakarai Taikā Ṣāḥib ‘Abd al-Qādir al-Qāhirī, and had graduated from his Madrasa.
• His ability in studies was exceptional.
  The normal practice for students in the Vellore Madrasa was to read 3 lessons a day. But he would read 6 lessons with ease.

After graduating from the Vellore Madrasa, he went to the institute in Podakkudi, Madrasat al-Nūriyyah, where he acquainted with another scholar of repute, Haḍrat ‘Abd al-Karīm.

His Marriage & Children

At the age of 19, he married his cousin, Maryam ‘Ā’isha Umma (d. 1961). She was learned in matters of religion and possessed a sharp intellect. They had been betrothed since young. At the betrothal ceremony, he agreed to the eventual wedding subject to certain conditions being met by his prospective bride:

• Her nose should not be pierced
• Her ears should not have more than 1 piercing each (as it was the practice of the women then to have multiple holes to ornament one’s ears with fancy jewellery)

On his wedding night, he famously ripped the karisal mani, a type of necklace worn by married Muslim woman in the South of India, that adorned his wife’s neck. When he was queried later on about the seemingly harsh action, he replied with a rhetoric question, “What place does a Karisal Mani have in an Islamic wedding?”

The couple had 3 children viz. Aḥmad Mustafā, Taikā Shu’aib, and Sitti Āliya Umma.

His Career & Contributions

He spent a short period of time working in the business incorporated by his late grandfather, Imām al-‘Arūs. The world of business did not appeal to him. He left and returned to the Madrasa instituted by his late great-grandfather, Kilakarai Taikā Ṣāḥib, where he imparted sacred knowledge and introduced new methods of teaching.

From his youth to his last breadth, his life was spent in the field of education. He was:

• Professor of Arabic,
• Principal of a College,
• President of the Teacher’s Union,
• Patron of institutes and associations in India and Sri Lanka,
• Teacher of the Qur’ān to children, and
• Educator of Islamic knowledge – jurisprudence (Fiqh), prophetic way (Sunnah) and languages (Arwi and Arabic) – to adults (both born Muslims and converts to Islam).

He performed all of these roles without any stipend. Rather, being a descendent of the bosom friend of the Paragon of creation (Allāh bless him and give him peace) and first Caliph of Islam, Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (Allāh be pleased with him), he used to spend his own money in the cause of Islam.

He was unique amongst the religious scholars of the region for his understanding of the importance of the English language. He was instrumental in acquiring government accreditation for many Arabic Colleges and Madrasas, and was actively involved in the setting up of many schools in the South of India. In his last days, there were more than 300 Madrasas under his guidance within just the Rāmanāthapuram District in the state of Tamilnadu, India.

He inaugurated the “Uswatun Ḥasanah” association in Kilakarai through which he managed many mosques in the region. It is worth noting that the religious edicts (Fatāwa) which he pronounced over five decades have stood the test of time without being challenged.

His Character Traits & Mannerisms

Whenever he received unusual gifts or came into contact with unique items, he enjoyed showing it to others with the intention of educating them and to bring a smile to their faces.

Once, a friend from Colombo sent a batch of the pungent-smelling custard-like spiked-fruit, durian. As the fruit was not native to his land, he gathered the people and shared the fruit with them.

On another occasion, to explain the grip of a monitor lizard, which people in the village had never seen before, he had someone catch one from the wild and brought for display, and released it again!

He was extremely sharp, quick witted, and sensitive to people’s feelings. A man asked him one day, “Is today a good day?” He replied, “Did you pray the Fajr prayer this morning?” The man replied in the positive. He then said, “That being the case, know that all days in which the obligation of prayer is discharged, are indeed good days!”

Once, a man had his tea-stall open for business during the day in the month of Ramaḍān. The people of the town were incensed by this act. After calming them, he went to the tea-stall, sat on a chair next to it, and starting reading the Qur’ān. Nobody dared to patronize the stall whilst he was there. The man realized his folly and shut the stall. The following day, he sent a letter to the tea-stall holder with Rs. 15 and a note saying, “This is compensation for your loss yesterday.”

His Spiritual Legacy

Amongst the pivotal role that he performed was being the Spiritual Guide (Murshid) to seeking aspirants (Murīdīn) of the ‘Arūsī-Qādirī Ṭarīqa. He received the Sufi cloak from his venerated father, Ṣāḥib al-Jalwah.

He had disciples in the thousands who were spread across South and South-East Asia. A significant number of converts entered the Sufi path at his hands. Many of his disciples and deputies (Khulafā) were older than him in age and experience.

His Appearance

He was of medium height and build. He had a fair complexion and radiant countenance. His beard was thick and long. He possessed a piercing sight, sweet mouth, and a prayerful tongue that displayed his deep knowledge and illuminated wisdom.

Even when he left his house for the adjoined Madrasa, he would look his regal best; he would don his cap and turban, wear a white top and thin-lined sarong, rub kohl in his eyes, apply perfume on his being, wear his glasses and watch, and carry prayer beads and a walking stick.  

He would greet everyone with a genuine smile and enquire about their welfare with sincerity. His external disposition was a reflection of his inner beauty.

His Passing Away

He left the shackles of the worldly prison and met his Lord in pure wedded bliss in the morning of Sat 13 Safar 1369 (14 Feb 1976) after the dawn (Fajr) prayers. He was 87 years old.

The following day, in the presence of a huge crowd of family, friends and disciples, his funeral (Janāza) prayer was led by his younger son, Taikā Shu’aib. He was then laid to rest at the ‘Arūsiyyah Taikā – in the company of his spiritual forefathers.

May Allāh be well pleased with Shaikh Nāyagam Taikā Aḥmad ‘Abd al-Qādir and us, sanctify his secret and ours, and illuminate his resting abode and ours. Āmīn!

Shaikh (Dr.) Taika Shu’aib

Shaikh (Dr.) Taika Shu’aib ibn Ahmad ‘Abdul Qādir (Allah preserve him) is the present Murshid of the ‘Arusi-Qadiri order. He comes from an illustrious family from the Arwi region who trace their lineage back to our master, Abū Bakr as-Siddīq (Allah be well pleased with him). He was born in 1930 in the South Indian Islamic centre Kilakkarai to the renowned Arwi savant and saint, Shaikh Taika Ahmad ‘Abdul Qādir ibn Shāhul Hamīd and the pious Maryam ‘Āisha Umma (Allah have mercy on them).

He began his educational endeavours under the auspices of his revered father focusing on Arabic and other traditional Islamic sciences. He completed “Moulavi Fazil” specialising in Qur’ānic exegesis and capped it with the “Afzal-ul-Ulema” qualification.

He read “Arabic and Persian” at the University of Ceylon, Sri Lanka. His unique research of the Arwi region earned him a doctorate from the Columbia Pacific University, USA. His natural flair for language acquisition has seen him becoming proficient in Arabic, English, Malayalam, Persian, Tamil and Urdu.

He began teaching Arabic at the age of 15 at his family run Madrassa. Upon graduation, he taught full-time at various institutions in South India. Over 1,200 students have acquired knowledge from him in the traditional manner. He has also supervised 11 students at graduate and doctorate levels.

He has published 8 books in English and Tamil. His first book, “Nithya Kadan” – a summary of Islamic laws in Tamil – was published when he was just 17. He has written various articles addressing the polemic of the methodologically challenged, who attack legitimate practices of Arwi Muslims. He has also collected, catalogued and preserved over 250 manuscrits in his library.

His 880-page monumental work, “Arabic, Arwi, Persian and Urdu in Sarandib and Tamilnadu” is a labour of love that spanned 30 years of extensive travel in South Asia, Far East, East Africa and Middle East. It was released in Jun 1993 at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi by the then President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.

The book brought to the academic forefront the hitherto unexplored or forgotten history and contributions of Arwi Muslims to Islamic literature, education, propagation and spirituality through Arabic, Arwi, Persian and Urdu. The book also features a critical commentary of the famous Mawlid composition by Imām al-‘Arus Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ahmad Labbai (Allah illuminate his resting abode), “Minhat al-Sarandīb fī Madh al-Habīb”.

He was vested with the Sufi mantle and authorised as Shaikh of the ‘Arūsi branch of the Qādiri path by his father, Shaikh Ahmad ‘Abdul Qādir. He was also conferred with the deputy-ship of the Qādiri path by Shaikh as-Sayyid ‘Abdul Karīm al-Kasnazānī, a great-grandson of our master, pole and succour, Shaikh ‘Abdul Qādir al-Jīlānī (Allah sanctify his secret), of Karkuk, Iraq.

His involvement in the traditional family business of precious gems offered him extensive travel opportunities which he duly made use of to seek and disseminate knowledge. He has taken part in and led delegations to numerous seminars and conferences in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, UK and USA. He has also undertaken lecture tours to Belgium, France, Iraq, Jordan and the UAE.

He is associated with a number of academic institutions and organisations in South Asia and Far East in various capacities. He is co-Managing Trustee of the Seethakkathi Trust – a distinguished charitable institution that financially assists academic institutions, hospitals and orphanages. It also gives scholarships to deserving students and publishes literary works of historical importance.

May Allah continue showering His immense blessings upon him, grant him good health, a long life and enable us to benefit from his being.

Ahlan wa Sahlan

The ‘Arusi branch of the Qadiri sufi way is one of the authentic rivers to the Divine Ocean that is widely followed in South and South East Asia. It originated and took shape during the early part of the 19th century under the watchful gaze of the Arwi saints of the Qadiri way. It crystallised and reached the zenith under the auspices of the 19th century renewer, Imam Sayyid Muhammad al-’Arus al-Qahiri, Allah sanctify his secret.

The aim of this website is to bring to the forefront the rich spiritual heritage of the Arwi region (present day South India & Sri Lanka) by focusing on the ‘Arusi-Qadiri order. This will be done by letting the biographies of the luminous Arwi saints and their works speak for themselves.

What this Site is NOT

The purpose of this website is not to wax lyrical about Tasawwuf/Sufism/Islamic spirituality. Only one blinded by ignorance, deluded by the rhetoric of rage, devoid of an atom of intellect and bereft of any knowledge of the tradition of the Islamic faith can claim that Tasawwuf/Sufism/Islamic spirituality is not a valid part of Islam.

Neither is the aim of this website to glorify this order (Tariqah) to the exclusion of other legitimate branches or paths to the Divine. Elevation and abasement is the domain of Allah and we make no claims to superiority. Our cloak of honour lies in aligning our actions, fulfilling our duties and discharging our responsibilities in a manner that is in congruent with the dictates of the sacred law (Shari’ah) and harmonious with the Prophetic example (Sunnah).

May Allah protect us from knowledge and states of being that are harmful to our souls here and in the hereafter.

The Need for this Site

There is a conspicuous dearth of information on the internet about the spread of Islam in the Arwi region (present day South India & Sri Lanka) and the flavour of Islam therein. This vacuum has been effectively filled by the literature of the petro-dollar funded methodologically challenged self-styled saviours who have acrimoniously hijacked the Islamic faith.

They hark the banner “Qur’an & Sunnah” and claim to follow the way of the pious predecessors (Salaf al-Salihin). In truth, they are the furthest from that which they claim to adhere to. Just as not everything that glitters is gold, it has become increasingly evident that not every group that carries the slogan “Qur’an & Sunnah” is a defender of the religion.

To destroy a Nation, one need not cleanse the land of its people. Just re-write history. And that is precisely what the Zionists are trying to do around the world and the BJP of India attempted to do with the national curriculum. And unfortunately, the puritans and reformers associated with this faith have been conspicuously doing the same with our tradition and texts for some time now.

May Allah protect us from their excesses and give them their due recompense.

Taking into account the prevailing hostile climate, both within the Muslim ranks and otherwise, it is our wish that this website, together with a collection of other related websites on Arwi Islam and Muslims, will serve to re-connect the Arwi/Tamil Muslim diaspora back to their roots.

If the realisation dawns on readers (especially the Arwi/Tamil Muslim diaspora) that Arwi Islam and Muslims have been a vibrant and dynamic force to be reckoned with, half our aim will be fulfilled. The other half will be achieved when readers faithfully return to their tradition in practice with fervour and zeal.

There is no power or might except Allah, the incomparable in Majesty. Success and guidance are from Allah, eminent is His Glory.