A tribute to Tajul Ulema

Sayyed Abdul Rahman Al Bukhari Thangal, fondly known as Ullal Thangal, though was born in Kozhikode, chose Ullal as hisland of destiny'. His association with Ullal for about sixty-five long years itself is a landmark achievement. Started as Mudarris, the one who leads the Islamic class, in Ullal Juma Masjid and Darga, quickly moved from status to status – became Principal of Sayyed Madani Arabic College and soon after became Qazi of Ullal. In his long tenure as the spiritual head of Sunni sect of Islam, he continuously strived to impart the true teachings of Prophet of Islam. Aptly crowned as “Tajul Ulema” (Crown of Ulemas or religious scholars) on the occasion of completion of fifty years in Ullal, he was teacher of teachers. He held various high positions of religious fame in Karnataka, Kerala and national level and did justice to the responsibility he was entrusted upon. Today his death has created a deep vacuum in the Sunni sect of Kerala and Karnataka Muslims.

Tajul Ulama was a person who always stood for truth, recollects one of his close relatives residing in Ajman. Once it so happened that a serious difference of opinion erupted between him and his teacher Late Kanniyath Ustad. Tajul Ulema insisted that his point of view was correct and in spite of pressure from classmates to agree with the teacher, he didn't budge. He didn't speak to the teacher for three days and on the third day teacher came to the class clapping and declared that the young Abdul Rahman Thangal was right. His steadfast determination to stand with truth is evident throughout his life. It is a well known fact that in 1989 whenSamastha', the Kerala Muslim Education Board was split, he sided with Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar opposing his own teacher EK Aboobacker Musliar's point of views.

Another incident which happened in early seventies illustrates how he opposed even rich and mighty for the sake of Islam. Late Kallatra Abdul Khader Haji had called for a meeting regarding the opening of a new educational institute, now one of the august Islamic educational institutions - Jamia Sa-adiya Arabiya in Kasaragod. Tajul Ulema didn't accept the egoistic language of wealthy Abdul Khader Haji and walked out of the meeting saying that he doesn't require contribution from wealthy people, though later Abdul Khader Haji convinced Thangal that he was testing Thangal whether he is capable of running an educational institution.

I have been seeing Tajul Ulema since my childhood. I was attracted to his charismatic personality rather than his religious discourses. His dua (prayer) with a rich voice coupled with utmost devotion will instantly immerse any one in spirituality. My first formal interaction with him was when he came to our house for a dinner years back. I don't know what made him happy that day but I felt over joyous when I overheard him praising with others my behavior. It won't be an exaggeration if I say that a small word of appreciation from him has reshaped my behavior, has made me more humble. Though I don't believe in glorifying individuals, I feel blessed to have my Nikah performed by Late Tajul Ulema.

I was a little bit nervous when I went to Ullal Darga for the first time to meet him in his office. I was expecting a decently furnished spacious office with push back leather chair. I was surprised to see him sitting on a mat on the floor with a small wooden study desk in the front. Visitors, of course, on the mat next to him. I never imagined Ullal Qazi who overseas hundreds of Masjids and Madrasas in parts of Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod districts was so down to earth. Tajul Ulema followed Islam true to its spirits, practiced a high standard of life with an ordinary standard of living.

Another distinguishing aspect of Tajul Ulama's life which I liked most was his strong opposition to extremism and fanaticism. He was in the forefront to oppose Islamic extremism, he argued that in Islam there is no extremism and Islam preaches middle path.

Though Ullal Thangal was not out of controversies, his death is certainly an irreparable loss to the Islamic world but as Quran says “Every soul has to taste the death”. Let Almighty bestow him eternal peace.