Dina Thathi reviews Tafheemul Quran

Periyar Dasan, Moosa Kaka and Maryam Jameelah!

Kavi Yogi Thannan Moosa

Professor Abdullah, former Periyar Dasan, mentions him as the man who provided திருப்பம் - turning point in his life.

He is Kavi Yogi Kavinjar Thannan Moosa. Affectionately called by all as Moosa Kaka. He has authored many books.  சௌந்தர்ய முத்திரை - Soundharya Muthirai and வெற்றிச் சூடி - Vetric choodi were the famous ones. He used to prefix சௌந்தர்ய முத்திரை - Soundharya Muthirai with his name for some time. He was very passionate about Tamil, literature, books etc.

He has served Islamic Foundation Trust and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's cause in various ways. He was never an office bearer. But, he was one of those workers who remain in the back ground and work silently. He was involved in the production of books and advised in literary matters. He was a close confidant, friend and colleague of Moulana M. A. Jameel Ahmed.

He has left Chennai and has made Thondi his home. It is his ancestrol village. Besides it is far more better than the callous Chennai and its selfish people.

I called him over phone and talked with him. He was very happy to hear me. He talked about Periyar Dasan, about the trips he used to make to Thiruverkadu to meet the Professor. 'His criticisms were very blunt, aggressive; and I used hear him patiently. I allowed him to pour out fully. Then I would say my version in a humble way', he said in a feeble voice. I could visualise the scene. Moosa Kaka with his typical half smile and twinkling eyes countering the polemics of the professor in his own style!

He was one of the notable absentees in the recently held First State Conference of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Trichy.
He could not make it because of ill health. But, a lot of people remembered him and fondly recalled pleasant memories. Ofcourse, if he had been there in Trichy he would have added colour to the event. When I mentioned this fact he concurred with it and mumbled something.
 He is yet to receive the Manattu Malar! - the conference souvenir!! He then hastily added, 'What am I to do with the souvenir? I cannot read now. I need a reader. Nowadays it is difficult to talk more than ten minutes.' Suddenly it dawned to me that I got him engaged in the phone for more than twenty minutes! I wished him and hung up.

Moosa Kaka is not the first Chennaiite who has provided திருப்பம் - turning point in some one's life. There are many more. I have read about one such Chennaiite or Madrasi. And this Madrasi had provided திருப்பம் - turning point in Maryam Jameelah's life. It is very fascinating and interesting.

His name is Janab C. Abdul Jaleel Sahib. He was a journalist, social activist, writer, translator and fruit vendor. He was Ameer-e-Muqami of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Madras in the 1950s.

He was a prolific writer and spirited reader. At those days he used contribute regularly to a monthly magazine 'Muslim Digest' published from Cape Town, South Africa. He used to translate the articles of Moulana Syed Abul A'la Moududi. 

He had translated Moulana Moududi's article 'Zindgi bath mout' - 'Life after death' - மரணத்திற்குப் பின்!. It was published in Muslim Digest monthly. (I have seen this copy in Halqa Office.) Margaret Marcus of New York read this article and wanted to contact and corespond with Moulana Moududi. She wrote to Muslim Digest people. They contacted C Abdul Jaleel. Jaleel Sahib and he provided the address of Moulana Moududi. Then Margaret Marcus contacted Moulana Moududi. Margaret Marcus became Maryam Jameelah.
And the rest is history.

Read : Periyar EVR's views on Islam! 

Read : Seshachalam to Periyar Dasan to Abdullah!
Read : Periyar Dasan Abdullah's journey towards Islam! 
Read : Periyar Dasan's wife to embrace Islam!
Read : Am I ready to face my Lord? 
Read : Periyar Dasan, Valampuri John and Islam!

Periyar Dasan Abdullah's journey towards Islam!

Periyar Dasan, nay Janab Abdullah Sahib is a Muslim now and he has completed his Umrah too. His homecoming would be celebrated in a big way throughout the Tamil speaking world. For a beleagured community the pleasing, charming, enthralling news of conversion of a celebrity like Professor Periyar Dasan is a booster. It has energised the youth. It has enthused confidence. It has emboldened the faith in Allah. எல்லா புகழும் அல்லாஹ்வுக்கே!

We hope that Professor Abdullah Sahib would serve the Islamic cause in a big, big, big way. He has already hinted about it in his interview. He speaks about translating Haykal's book 'Road to Makkah'. But, 'Road to Makkah' was written by Leopold Muhammad Asad. And, Haykal's book was on the life history of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). He may have inadvertantly mixed the names of the author in his passion and emotion. One should understand that he has just made a momentous, life-changing decision of following the basic tenets of Islam.
No doubt he has come a long way to reach this point. He himself has said that in this interview. and in this interview.
The million dollar question is What made a staunch athiest like Periyar Dasan turn towards his Creator? What is the turning point? The following is the answer.

பெரியவர் தண்ணன் மூஸா (தொண்டியைச் சேர்ந்த கவிஞர் மூஸா) தான் எழுதிய சௌந்தர்ய முத்திரை என்ற புத்தகத்தை என்னிடம் தந்து அதற்காக அணிந்துரை எழுதி தருமாறு என்னிடம் கேட்டார். இது என்னுள் திருப்பம் ஏற்பட்ட இடமாகும். நானும் அந்த நுhலுக்கு அணிந்துரை எழுதித் தந்தேன். பின்னர் அவர் ஏன் அணிந்துரையை எழுதுவதற்காக என்னை ஏன் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தார் என்று பலமுறை யோசித்தேன். பின்னர் அவரை தொலைப்பேசியில் தொடர்பு கொண்டேன். அவர் ஐ.எப்.டி.யை சேர்ந்த சிக்கந்தர் என்ற சகோதரை அறிமுகப்படுத்தினார். அவருடன் சில சகோதரர்கள் வந்து என்னை என் இல்லத்தில் சந்தித்து இஸ்லாத்தை பற்றி விளக்கினார்கள். பின்னர் நான் பல புத்தகங்களை விலைக்கு வாங்கி அவற்றை வாசித்தேன். தினமும் 5 மணி நேரம் திருக்குர்ஆனை படிப்பதற்காக நான் நேரம் ஒதுக்கினேன். அப்போது இறைவன் இருக்கிறான் என்று எனக்கு உறுதியாகி விட்டது. 2004 ஆம் ஆண்டில் கடவுள் மறுப்பு பிரச்சாரத்தை முற்றாக நிறுத்திக்கொண்டேன். அதன் பிறகு நபிகள் (ஸல்) அவர்களின் ஹதீத்   நூற்களை ரஹ்மத் பதிப்பகம் முத்துப்பேட்டை முஸ்தபா அவர்கள் வெளியிட்ட போது ஏழு பாகங்களின் வெளியிட்டு விழாவிற்கும்; என்னை அழைத்தார்கள். என்னை ஏன் இவர்கள் அழைக்கிறார்கள் என்று எண்ணுவது உண்டு. நாத்தீகப் பிரச்சாரத்தை கைவிட்டது அவர்களுக்கு தெரியும். ஆனால் நான் இந்த தேடலில் இருப்பது அவர்களுக்கு தெரியாது. ரோடு டூ மக்கா என்ற ஆங்கில நுhலையும் படித்து அதனை மக்காவை நோக்கி என்ற பெயரில் தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்த்து வைத்துக் கொண்டேன். இப்படியே எனது ஆய்வு தொடர்ந்தது. அப்துஸ் ஸமது, லத்தீப் (கவிக்கோ) அப்துல் ரஹ்மான், ஜவாஹிருல்லாஹ் முதலியவர்களெல்லாம் எனது நண்பர்கள் தான். அவர்களுடன் எல்லாம் பழகியிருக்கிறேன். ஆனால் இனங்காட்டிக் கொள்ளாமல் எனது ஆய்வுகளை செய்து வந்தேன். சில பேருக்கு எனக்கு இந்த நாட்டம் உள்ளது என்பது தெரியும்.

Poet Tannan Moosa came with his book and asked me to write a preface for his boom 'Soundharya Muthirai'. It was the turning point in my life. I wrote preface for his book. Afterwards, I asked myself innumerable times 'Why did he chose me to write preface for his book?' I asked the revered poet himself. He came to see me along with Br S N Sikkander, of Islamic Foundation Trust. He and some of his friends came to my house and explained the salient features of Islam. I bought many books on Islam. I started reading Quran daily for Five hours. Then I got convinced that God EXISTS! Then I completely avoided delivering speeches on athiesm. Br Mustafa of Rahmath Charitable Trust has broughout seven volumes of Sahih Buhari in Tamil. He used to invite me for the book release functions. His gesture made me think. I used to wonder why these gentlemen invite me inspite of my athiestic background. I had excellant rapport with AKA Abdus Samad, M A Abdul Latheef, Kaviko Abdur Rahman, M. H. Jawahirullah etc.They are all my friends. I continued my search to acquaint myself with the Truth. They were not aware of my quest and only a few knew about my quench to know the Truth.

 Alhumdulillah! It is a pleasing, heartening news that an humble gesture of Moosa kaka would open the door of eternal success to a staunch athiest! Moosa Kaka, Well done! Moosa kaka has been the literary advisor of Islamic Foundation Trust and a confidant of Moulana M A Jameel Ahmed Sahib. S N Sikkander is now State Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. 

Read : நான் ஏன் இஸ்லாத்தை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டேன்?
Read : நான் ஏன் இஸ்லாத்தை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டேன்?  - excellent write up by Abu Umar, Jazakallah, Abu Umar!
Photos of Periyar Dasan's Jeddah speech click here.
Read : Periyar Dasan, Valampuri John and Islam!

Am I ready to face my Lord?

The Day...
It was 14th March, 2010, Sunday. The weather was salubrious and the train towards Chennai was moving fast...

The Train
The name of the train was Yelagiri Express. It usually departs from Tirupattur at 4.30 AM in the morning and reaches Chennai Central at 9.00 AM. It is known as JP Exp., Link Exp., etc. It is the most prefered train. It halts at Jolarpettai, Tirupattur, Vaniyambadi, Ambur, Gudiyattam, Katpadi, Arakkonam etc, etc.
The train was full of all kinds of people - traders, businessmen, housewives, students, office-goers, teachers etc.

The Men...
Janab H Abdur Raqeeb Sahib, Janab P Muhammad Yousuf, Janab C Tufail Ahmed were among those in the train which was moving fast towards Chennai. They are all veterans of the Islamic Movement in this part of the world and have spent decades in the struggle to establish Deen in all walks of life.
The weather was pleasant and the three musafirs of rah-e-huq cherished every moment of the journey. They were at their best as they were proceeding to Chennai for an important event. They were attached to Islamic Foundation Trust and they were on their way to attend the bi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of Islamic Foundation Trust. They were engrossed in deep discussion..

The incident...
When the train screeched to halt in Katpadi Junction, Br P Muhammad Yousuf and Br C Tufail Ahmed alighted from the train to get a cup of tea. They were never aware of what lied ahead them.

It was just an usual day. They have alighted here for tea umpteen number of times.

Then it happened.
They were in the platform roaming here and there in search of tea vendor. But , Strangely they could not sight the ubiquitous tea vendor.

Seconds moved fast into minutes.
Suddenly the train started to move. Both the brothers hurried to enter the train. Br CTA got the foothold and was in the train. Br PMY too followed suit.

Alas..! It happened in a fraction of a second..!

Br P Md Yousuf slipped and fell..!
His legs got trapped in between the gap of the moving train and the platform...
And the departing train was moving gently..!
Br P Md Yousuf was shocked for a moment. But at the next instant, he tried to extract his trapped legs. He tried hard... But, he felt as if the train is pulling him to the pit.
1... 2... 3... 4... Four bogies passed him with his legs still trapped in between the train and the platform..!
Meanwhile, the onlookers gathered around him and instinctly tried to lift him..
Then in a spur of the moment he got his legs lifted and stood on his own.
The train was gaining momentum. The onlookers urged him to get in the train. He paused and declined to catch the train. In the melee, both his shoes fell in the railway track. Somebody dived into the empty track and procured the shoes for him. He thanked Almighty Allah and recovered his composure. Then he started to dial and inform everybody about the incident.

In the train..
CTA was in the train and he was startled by the happening. He rushed to pull the chain to stop the train. But the chain didn't budge a inch. Moments passed as ages. Then his phone blinked with the message, ''Yousuf calling..."

In Katpadi Junction..
Br P Muhammad Yousuf catched another train from Katpadi and reached Chennai one and half hour late. He drove straight to the IFT office. He attended the Trust meeting without giving a hint about the accident and got actively involved in the dicussions and proceedings.

The Lesson...
Moulvi Haneefa Manbayee loudly exclaimed, 'It is definitely a miracle. It is grace of Allah'
Br A Shabbeer Ahmed, Ameer-e-Halqa advised, 'Once when you cross 40 you should watch your steps and not behave like a 20 year old youth'.
Somebody opined, 'You have been saved because of some good deed in life'
I remained silent.

The real lesson...
I could not sleep that night. The incident splashed over my mental screen again and again. 'You have been saved because of some good deed in life' the words echoed in my ears.
Suddenly I got up from the bed and the words of Janab Maqsood Alam flashed in my mind nowhere. He too faced similar situation in his life. He too was given a new lease of Life. His friends too commented that he had been given a fresh lease of life because of some good deed in life. But Moulana Minnathullah Rahmani had a different view. He said had it been on account of some past good deeds he should have been better in heavens instead of this world! May be Allah wants him to add good deeds to his account by doing some specific noble job.

The greater lesson...
Is Yousuf is the lone person who has been given a fresh lease of life? No. Definitely not.
We are all at the mercy of Allah and we are all vulnerable to all kinds of accidents. It is Allah who saves us from calamity. He is the Muhaimin the guardian. He gives us new lease of life every second..!
What do we do with that new lease of life?
What has happened to Br P Muhammad Yousuf could happen to anyone of us anywhere, any time. But, are we ready to face them? Am I ready to face my Lord? That is the most crucial question.

Miyan Tufail Muhammad, the legendary Tahreeki icon of the sub-continent used to say, 'Apne rab say apna hisab saaf rakho! Ho sakta hai yeh tumhari zindgi ka aakhri din ho!' 'Keep your accounts with your Lord clean. who knows? Today may be your last day'

Khurram Murad in one of his speeches mentions, 'The heart in your body seeks the permission of your Lord to beat. When He grants the permission to beat, the heart beats. When He denies, your heart would stop to beat. When the denial would occur? When your heart would stop to beat? Nobody knows. Be eveready to face your Lord'.

Imran is new Chennai Chief!!

It is official now.
I could say it is the most exciting, exhilarating and heartening news of the year. Rather it could be said as the most exciting news of the Meeqath! (Meeqath is the urdu word for the word term. It usually comprises of four years, in this case from April 2007 to March 2011)
Br Imran Latheef Sait has been appointed by the Ameer-e-Jamaat Moulana Jalaluddin Umari as the Nazim-e-Ilaqa of Chennai city. This was done on the basis of the recommendation of State Shura.
Br Imran Latheef Sait would be refered as மாநகரத் தலைவர் and as City President.

I know Br Imran for the past twenty three years. He is full of vigour, passion and zeal. He is the most reliable hand; whatever task you give, he would finish it off in style. It would appear that he accomplishes everything in an effortless way. But he is the most committed hard worker. He is very humble and never projects himself. He is well versed in Quran and is deeply attached with it. Infact he runs two, three Quran classes every week. Scores of men and women have learned to understand Quran from him.

He is very disciplined, punctual in Namaz.
He is very fond of cultivating friendships across the various cross sections of the society. He has friends everywhere. He speaks flawless English and beautiful Urdu.
He has business acumen and management skills.
He is still young and always remain active and robust.
He is attached with the tahreek right from his childhood.

He is a team man. He is pious, God-fearing and full of humility. He is hardworking, dedicated and known for his meticulous plans. He had served as Divisional Organisor of Madras for two terms during his SIO days. He had been the Divisional organisor for Puducherry division some years ago. He had also served as the Member of State Shura too. He has close rapports with ICSA and interfaith movement for communal harmony people. Besides he is the treasurer of Islamic Foundation Trust for the past couple of years. He played a leading role in providing newly constructed 38 houses to the hapless victims of sea erosion of the village Kottaikuppam near Puducherry. He was the moving spirit behind this mega project undertaken by TNRC (Tamil Nadu Relief Committee).

I am very very happy that such a talented and dedicated karkun with varied interests bubbling with enthusiasm and vigour has been selected for the job. I hope that the forthcoming days would be fantastic, action-packed and simply satisfying. We have great Expectations.
May God bless him. May God help him. May God give him strength and vision to execute the work. Aameen

Read : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and the Black belt!!