Sayed Alavi: The Symmetrical Figure of Politics and Spirituality

Malabar is now going into the peak hour of commemorating 171st death anniversary of her ever-remembered social reformer and spiritual leader Khuthubbuzzaman Sayed Alavi Mouladdaveela (PBUH). The echoes and reverberations of the efforts and services he rendered are still continuing relentlessly to make its ripple-effect in every nook and cranny of Malabar’s landscape. His peerless attempts were of unprecedented output and occupied a considerable share of actions and riots led against the autonomous British governance in Malabar which gradually fetched the result of an independent India.

Sayed was undoubtedly the Khuthub(the pivot of his contemporary spititual leaders) of his era. Spirituality was centred to him, as he was the sole referred of even all spiritual leaders. As the living condition he and his men had, Malabar was British-dense province unlike many other territories of Kerala. Thus he could rise to the position of a spotlight that unleashed the potential energy of spirituality and spirit as well to the battle yard of freedom struggle.

Biography

Sayed made his trip to Malabar tracing back his uncle Shaikh Hasan Jifri’s footsteps through appalling and turbulent waves of Arabian Sea, leaving his homeland Thareem in Halarmauth away, at his age of 17, only to proselytize the peaceful message of Islam. Born in H. 1166, he had to go through dire straits and impeding shortage of childhood with desperate fate of orphanhood. But, no any factor could constrain him from primary education, and memorization of Holy Quran that early age.

Soon after he landed in the soil of Kerala, he visited the tomb of his uncle, his forerunner in this concern. He married daughter of his aunt, Fathima. Within days of his arrival he could win proponents and supporters, and embarked the life of leadership. With the impeccable ability of leadership he could easily win the hearts of commons and elites as well. He was the last resort to their shelter course forward and the last word to their unanswered questions on Fiqh, i.e., Islamic Jurisprudence.

Most remembered of his services was the religious ones, as he was an ardent advocate of Islamic proselytism and was the first hand in taking initiative to found many mosques in areas of dense Muslim population. He also played his role as the leading idol in revolts and battles led against the atrocities over the poor tenants by the allied force of British and the Lords. He had the courage to proclaim the Fatwa to fight against the callous and monstrous policies of British, and this event dominated the limelight throughout all Mahals.

The uprising followed his Fatwa was called Mappila Revolt, and took place at several localities such as Muttichira Revolt, in which eleven innocents were killed brutally. The most remembered of them was Cheroor Rebellion, in which Sayed also participated in person. In this very encounter he could fell down countless of British soldiers, but at the last the ill-fate came: a bullet fired at his thigh took his from uprisings away and gradually led to his death, along with other nine martyrs.

His demise made an unbridgeable gap in religious and political sphere of Malabar. Though, he and his principles still burn as glazing beacon of communal harmony and interfaith fraternity.

Till today his spiritual reign continues unabatedly, and his mausoleum, patted with tranquility of Kadalundi River passing by it, spreads his lively fragrance to numerous hearts not only in India but across the globe as well. Each day witnesses thousands of visitors to his mausoleum seeking his presence to quench their spiritual thirst. May Allah bless us with him.
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This year his death anniversary is to be held from December 18 with flag-hoisting and prayer.