THE JAMAL AL LAILI (JAMALULLAILI) BRANCH OF HADRAMI SAYYIDS IN MALABAR (INDIA)
Hussain Randathani
Almost all the branches of Hadrami (BA Alawi) sayyids had their branches in Malabar. They actively engaged in the religious and missionary commotions following the Sunni Shafi creed of Islam. They attracted the people through their magical healing powers and spiritual devotion. The mausoleums of the Jamalullai sayyids even now attract people who visit these shrines to invoke the blessings of the dead and fulfill their needs a practice followed by the traditional Muslims. The ancestor of the family Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullaili son of Hasan Muallam, born in 750/1349 at Tarim , Hadarmaut, was highly devotional with attractive qualities. The people called him Jamalullaili (The camel of he night) because he stood in prayer throughout the night. Mr. Sayyid Unais Melmuri, the author of Malayalam book on Jamalullaili takes this fact from Mashrahurraviyyi, authored by Sayyid Muhammad Abubakkar Veeli and Mu’jamm ‘ul Latheef of Sayyid Muhammad Umar al Saturi. Muhammad Jamalullaili is related to the Prophet Muhammad in the following lines:
Muhammad Jamalullaili
Hasan al Muallam
Muhammad Asadullah
HasanalþTurab
Sayyid Ali
Muhammad Faqih Muqaddam
Sayyid Ali
Muhammad Sahib al Mirbat
Sayyid Ali
Sayyid Alawi
Sayyid Muhammad
Sayyid Alawi
Sayyid Ubaidullah
Sayyid Muhajir
Isa al Naqib
Sayyid Muhammad
Ali al Uraizi
Jafar Sadiq
Muhammad Baqir
Sayyid Ali Zainul Abidin
Husyn
Fatima
Muhammd, the Prophet
The Malabar Branch
The Malabar branch of Jamalullaili was instituted by Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullali son of Sayyid Abdurahman Jamalullaili who has been the ruler of Ache(Sumatra) in the modern Indonesia. Though born in a highly rich family Sayyid Muhammad followed a life of austerity and immersed in deep devotion following strictly the injunctions of the faith. He left the palace wandering in the jungles and meeting eminent saints of the time and acquiring spiritual knowledge.. He was initiated to different sufi orders including Qadiri, Naqshabandi, Suhrawardi, Chishti and Tabaqati and rose himself to the status of Qutub (Pivot) the highest ladder of sufism.
Muhammad Jamalullaili as the only son of his father has been the chosen successor to the throne of Ache. But, as an ascetic he never liked a princely life in the court of his father. He informed his parents his intention to move to some distant areas in order to fulfill his mission as a friend God, propagating the faith and continuing his meditation. His parents however tried to dissuade him, thinking that the family will remain heirless if their only son turned to ascetic life. In the mean time it is said that he witnessed the vision of the prophet in a dream asking him to go to Malabar to continue his spiritual pursuits. Malabar had been his favourite place because Arab traders and saints were frequented with this port city and many of them had visited Ache also in connection with trade and missionary activities. When he informed the matter to his parents, they had no option except to accept the wish of his son to sail to Malabar.
Traditions ascribe many miracles about the journey of Sayyid Muhammad to Malabar that he sailed to Malabar on a prayer carpet (Musalla). It is also said that he spread his shawl on the waves and travelled on it. The same story has been assigned to some other saints travelling on prayer carpet to Malabar and these type of miracles are often added to augment the spirituality of the saints to attract the common people. The panegyrics of the sufis are full of such stories and miracles, many of which are often unreliable and fabricated by the followers. The Muslim scholars following the reliable sources however, praises the healing techniques of Sayyid Muhammad and noted that his practices are purely spiritual and cannot be explained with scientific facts. Sayyid Muhammad was highly spiritual and his ascetic life itself is a proof for his holiness.
At Kadalundi in Malabar
Sayyid Muhammad landed at Kadalundi in Malabar in 1180/1767. He was well received by the elders and scholars. People from all sorts of life visited him and sought his blessings. The miracles show that the common people approached him to get rid of their miseries and many of them accepted his faith. He kept close contact with Sayyid Alavi, the famous Hadrami Sayyid of Mambram, Tirurangadi, just ten Kilometres away from his place. He supported the activities of Mambram thangal and both of them were present at ceremonial occasions in the area. Once a Hindu land lord (Jenmi) constructed a huge ship and invited both the sayyids to open the inaugural ceremony of the ship. Mambram Thangal reached in time and all waited Sayyid Muhammad to come. When he was late the land lord requested the Sayyid Alavi Thangal to open the ceremony with prayers. The ship was taken to water and after moving a short while it halted automatically. The crew tried their best to move the ship, but in vain. This time Sayyid Muhammad came to the spot and the ship began to move. The sailors, traders and fishermen used to approach Sayyid Muhammad for his blessings and his presence gave them relief from their worries.
Here is the family tree of Sayyid Muhammad:
Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullaili
Abdu Rahman
Sayyid Ahmad
Sayyid Abdulla
Zainul Abid
SayyidAbdulla
Abdurahman Mutaqassi
Sayyid Ali
Sayyid Alawi/ Ali
Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullaili (founder)
The elders of Kadalundi arranged facilities for his stay and later requested him to marry a lady from the area. Thus he married Halimah from Kodakkatakath family. Hearing the news his father sent him valuable gifts through sailors, but he gently refused them saying that such rich presents may hinder his spiritual pursuits. Halimah bore three sons for the Sayyid- Sayyid Husyn, Sayyid Aliyyul Mu’tali and Sayyid Shaikh Ali. The progeny of Sayyid Shaikh came to be known as Kodakkattakth Thanganmar and that of Sayyid Husyn as Pulikkalakath Thanganmar. Sayyid Muhammad died on Friday, Rabi II 1230/ April 1815. He is buried in the north western part of the grave yard adjoining to Kadalundi Juma Masjid. A simple mausoleum has been built on the grave and it became a pilgrim center for the devotees. Inside the mausoleum there are the graves of his wife Halimah and his son Ali al Mu’tali.
After the death of his father Sayyid Shaikh Ali migrated to Tirurangadi and settled at Kakkad. He started the festival at the grave of his father and it is continued till the date. The festival was organized in the local manner with processions and music with drums and daffs. Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullaili(27 Shawwal 1290/17 Dec. 1873), son of Shaikh Sayyid settled at Kolappuram in the house called Perinchinakkal Maliyekkal. He was responsible for the construction of the Kolappuram Juma Masjid on the highway near Tirurangadi. Sayyid Hasan alias Husyn Jamalullaili (Husyn wali), the third son of Sayyid Muhammad is buried near his own house and the mausoleum is known as Pulikkalakam Jaram. cemetery . Sayyid Muhammad Jamalullai of Kolappuram had a son Sayyid Shee sheikh (12 Rabi I, 1342/22 October 1923) who settled at Panampuzhakkal near Kakkad, Tirurangadi. He was famous for magic healing and people from all faiths visited him to get rid of their agonies.
Sayyid Alawi son of Sayyid Shee Shaikh settled at Mundyanadam Vengara. He is buried in the same place and his son Muhammad Attakkoya is also buried there. Sayyid Husain Saidalavi son of Muhammad Attakkoya moved to Puzhakkattiri near Perinthalmanna. Another son Sayyid Ali Mullakkoya became famous for his spiritual healing and during his long stay at Madras he was visited by the people of all sorts of life. He is buried at Punnakkad, near Kulathur.
The place Panampuzhakkal, near Tirurangadi became renowned due to the presence of Sayyid Sahal Jamalullai, who is also known as Panampuzhakkal Thangal (1392/1972). As the son of Sayyid Shee sheikh Sayyid Sahal was respected by the people. People approached hism to settle their disputes and getting relief from their worries and ills. His son Sayyid Shee Shaikh Jamalullaili settled at Valanchery pursuing missionary activities. His brother Sayyid Hydross made Vettichira near Valanchery his centre. Sayyid Alawi Jamalullaili, another son of Sayyid Sahal settled at Vengad, near Valanchery and one of his brothers moved to Valiya Kunnu and started the family there. Sayyid Sahal’s son Sayyid Ali Mullakkoya known as Kuriyad thangal served at the same place and his grave is in the Mausoleum complex of his forefathers at Panampuzhakkal. Sayyid Muhammad Koya, son of Sayyid Shal started a branch at Naripparamb near Ponnani. At Kuriyad, near Panampuzhakkal Sayyid Fazal Pookoya, son of Sahal continued the service of his father.Sayyid Shal koya had another son Sayyid Abdu Rahman Cherukoya is an author with many poems and panegyrics. All the seven sons of Sayyid Shal served the community at different places.
At Urakam, near Vengara a branch was started by Sayyid Abdullah al Mansur alias Koya Kunhi Koya Thangal son of Sayyid Sheeshaikh Jamalullaili. He married Fatima daughter of Ali Hasan Makhdumi , the Qazi of the place. His son Sayyid Attakkoya moved to Othukkungal near Kottakkal. Another son of Abdulla al Mansur Abdu Rahman Jamalullaili settled at Palakapparamb near Kolathur. Sayyid Seethikkoya Jamalullai,son of Abdullah Mansur settled at Kavumpuram ,near Valacnhery.
Again, Sayyid Ali Mullakkoya Jamalullaili, son of SheeShaikh Jamalullaili, his son Sayyid Shaikh Kunhattakkoya of Panampuzhakkal were also famous for their spiritual heeling. Ali Mullakkoya (KKCM) son of Kunhattakkoya settled at Vazhippara near Perinthalmanna. Sayyid Abdullah al Hydross son of Ali Mullakkoya also flourished at Panampuzhakkal. His son Abdu Rahman Hydross Cherukoya settled at Talappara, Munniyur. Sayyid Hydross Koya another son of Shee Shaikh made his residence at Kacherippadi, Vengara. He had twelve off springs. Among them Sayyid Hasan Imbichi Koya had thirteen issues settli9ng at different places. Sayyid Stayed at Tanalur, near Tirur, Sayyid Ali Mullakkoya at Puthanathani, Sayyid Ali Pookkoya at Alungal, Velimukku, Sayyid Husain MuthuKoya and Sayyid Abdulla Koya at Velimukku. Sayyid Hydross, son of Abdulla Koya selected Vengad his centre. Another Jamalullaili sayyid, Hydross son of Sayyid Ahmad moved to Kadungathukundu, near Kalpakancheri.
Another Jamalullaili family settled at Kolappuram near Tirurangadi was that of Sayyid Muhammad Koya son of Sayyid Shee Shaikh Jamalullaili. His son Sayyid Muhammadali Mullakkoya moved to Kondotty and settled at Chungam. His son Sayyid Muhammad selected Mullambara near Manjeri as his centre. Another son Sayyid Hydross settled at Pallikkal Bazar, near Calicut University.Third son Sayyid Murtaza selected Devathiyal again near the Uiversity. Another son Sayyid Sidq moved to Puliyan Paramb, Kondotti. Fifth son Sayyid Salih selected Pookkottur near Malappuram and the sixth, Sayyid Muhammad at Kadappadi, Kondotty. Seventh son Sayyid Husain reached Parathakkad.
Muhammad Koya of Kolappuram had another son Sayyid Shee Shaikh Attakkoya who moved to Koduvayur, Vengara and the next son Sayyid Abdu Rahman Cherukoya selected Payyanad near Manjeri as his centre. Sayyid Muhammad son of Abdu Rahman Cherukoya moved to Chelari. Kolappuram became a centre of Jamalullai Sayyids when many families settled there. Sayyid Ali Hassan Kunhi Seethi kkoya son of Sayyid Muhammad of Kolappuram and his sons also took their residents at the same place.
At Chaliyam a branch was started by Sayyid Cherukoya Jamalullali, son of Sayyid Shee Shaikh. His son Sayyid Attakkoya moved to Kattilangadi. Sayyid Alavi son of Muhammad Koya Kolappuram started a branch at Pukayur near Tirurangadi. His son Sayyid Fazl Ahmad went to Pandi Tirunalveli where he died and buried there. Another son AbduRanhman Cherukoya went to Kuzhingara and settled there. His son Sayyid Habib settled at Vadakkekad, Thrissur. Muhammad Koya Kolappuram had a son Saidalavi whose son Aliyyul Anwar became popular for his spirituality. His grave is at Pukayur.His son Sayyid Fazl Azhar took his residence at Ukkath near Kunnumpuram, Kondotty. His son Sayyid Alavi was a renowned scholar who was appointed as the Qazi of Waynad. He wrote books in Arabic and kept a large library for himself. He is also buried at Ukkath . At Kuttur Vengara , a branch was started by Sayyid Attakkoya, son of Sayyid Shaikh, son of Sayyid Fazl Azhar.Sayyid Hussaibn Muthukoya son of Aliyyul Anwar settled at V.K. Padi ,Tirurangadi. Another son of Aliyyul Anwar went to Achanambalam, Vengara and his son Sayyid Shee Shaikh Attakkoya also came to V.K.Padi. Sayyid Shaikh Attakkoya, son of Aliyyul Anwar also settled at Achanambalam. His son Sayyid Cheru Koya came to Pakkada Poraya, Vengara.
Sayyid Muhammad son of Husain Wali of Kadlaundi started a branch at Olakara. His son Sayyid Hassan (Kunhavakkoya) died at Chelari and buried there in Alu Jamalullai Maqam. Sayyid Shaikh son of Sayyid Muhammad changed his residence from Olakara to Padikkal, Chelari. Sayyid Alavi son of Husain Wali moved from Kadalundi and settled at Thenchippalam. He died in 30 Dil Qa’ad1372/10 August 1953 and buried at Alu Jamalullai Maqam Chelari. Sayyid Aavi’s son Ali Akbar and grand son Sayyid Abdul Malik became famous for their religious activities. Abdul Malik wrote the history of Alungal Maqam which throws light to the History of Jamalullaili sayyids. Sayyid Salih son of Sayyid Alavi known as Nossan Thangal was popular for his spiritual pursuits. Sayyid Salih’s son Sayyid Fazl Jamalullaili resided at Chelari and after studying at King Abdul Aziz University, Makka became active in the organizational activities of Muslims. He taught at different mosque academies and later moved to Saudi Arabia.He died on 3 February 2009 and is buried in the Alu Jalullai Maqam. His sons Sayyid Salih and Sayyid Sharafuddin followed the way of their father in the organizational activities. Sayyid Muhammad Kunhikkioya son of Sayyid Alavi settled at Perumugam and his son Sayyid Umar Attakkoya Thangal followed his tradition there. Sayyid Muhammad son of Hussain Wali also had settled at Chelari. His son Shee Shaikh moved to Velimukku, Tirurangadi, where he died. His son Sayyid Muhammad Koya, known as Kajur Thangal because of his Islamic teaching at Kajur near South Kannada, died at Velimukkau and buried in the Maqam there. Sayyidalavi Koya son of Shee Shaikh of Velimukku is popular in Velimukku and surroundings for his spiritual healing. Sayyid Hassan Kunhi Koya Thangal son of Umar Attakkoya Thangal (son of Sayyid Muhmmad Kadalundi) came to Kayyayi in Payyanur, Kannur and he is buried there. Sayyid Muhammad Kunhi Koya son of Imbichi Koya settled at Paruthikode near Calicut University. Sayyid Kunhi Koya kutty , died on 11 January 200 was an influencial man at Kadlaundi and one of his sons Sayyid Imbichi Koya moved to Kalam Thiruthi. A family from Kadalundi Sayyid Muhammad Pookoya son of ImbichiKoya moved to Gudallur, Tamil Nadu and after his death he was buried there. His son Imbichi Koya follows the line of family at Gudallur .
The list of the family is incomplete because many of the Jamalullaili families from Pulikkalakam branch is missing.
drhussaink@gmail.com
(Courtesy: Sayyid Unais, Keralathile Jamalullai Kudumbam)