‘Today is the sound continuation of Yesterday’

The flowers of past used to blossom in Imam’s gatherings. These moments tied present with the past. He was particular that ‘Today was the sound continuation of yesterday’. Today’s daybreak acquired its light from the fading light of yesterday’s twilight. History is not meager tales of past events. It is the breathing force of yesterday’s men and society. It infuses action in the conscience of present. Even the Holy Book could not ignore History.

It was not merely intended to narrate tales of past rather to teach a moral to the future generations. ‘They have all passed by. They received the reward for their deeds. You too will be rewarded for your deeds.’ Who other than prophets will hoist the flag of truth in the battle of good and evil? There will be no civilizations based on social justice. Without Moses (as), there is no Israel. Without Ibrahim (as), there is no history for the monotheistic Arabia or its heritage.

Without Muhammad Mustafa , there is no past or present for earth or humanity. Neither is future. Similarly, how can one imagine the French Revolution without Voltaire or Russo? Or communism without Marx? Or Indian freedom without Gandhi? Or American independence without George Washington? It would be impossible to think of it.

Muslim Politics without PMSA Pookoya

Thinking along the same lines, one cannot imagine of Muslim Kerala or its cherished political voice, Muslim League, without its illustrious architect, PMSA Pookoya Thangal.

Thoughts ran wild across the colleges and madrassas, mosques and orphanages spread across the towns and villages, the processions made by the community in its struggle for survival, the green flag with a crescent at its heart… finally reaching the Kodappanakkal residence. It proceeded to the rear side of the Panakkad Juma’ Masjid. This is where even the silence whispers: allahummarhum hu rahmatan wasi’a

Who was Syed PMSA Pookoya ?

Who was PMSA Pookoya Thangal? The asylum for the deprived ones, the mediator of conflicts and disputes, the architect of numerous institutions, an incessant patron of religious education and a great political revolutionary, but these designations do not complete his personality. His role is inseparable from the reawakening of the community in the economic, social, cultural and political aspects.

The refuge for the broken hearted

But PMSA Pookoya Thangal had another world of his own; in midst of these titles he did not forget the humane part of living. He did not forget the individual in the society. He paid special attention to the worries and tribulations of the individual. He heard separately their whispers in midst of the busy social life. Perhaps it was Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi who was his predecessor in this aspect. The saint of Delhi was a breeze of mercy to the deprived ones. It is a notable fact that both were children of the same family who lived under different times. Their roots meet with one another while tracing back to their ancestors – The Holy Prophet .

The noble sage

Syed Pookoya was mentor of spiritual purity. But he never tried to establish his own order. His life is a lesson for those who try to wound religion and its laws by establishing their own methods. Blessed with immense popularity, with people struggling to have a mere glimpse, with followers ready to obey every letter in command and most of all a personality endowed with the blessing of ijabat (answer) for prayer. Yet he never attempted to formulate any theories inside or outside the sharia’. A good part of his life was concentrated on developing mosques and madrassas. These two are important for sharia to prevail in the society. This paradigm remains the blessing of the Panakkad family. Through generations, its descendants keep this practice alive. Perhaps it was the depth of his inner self that made Syed Pookoya entitled to this position. He was particular in cherishing his inner life in midst of the busy public life. His prayers stirred each vein in the body. He was full of prayers.

“Is there any heart that does not ruminate over his prayers?” Someone asked from the gathering. No. This land and its inhabitants cannot forget its living legend- Syed Pookoya.

A memorable moment

One disciple remembered his childhood incident: ‘a marvelous morning it was. The old veranda of the Kodappanakkal residence. In the room besides, a radiant form stood leaning on the bedside. A handkerchief lay folded. And a moonlit smile on the face. The words of dua came flowing silently like a calm river. The pearls of Holy Quran and Hadith shone in between. A blessed moment when he ran his fingers across the hair on head. I wished to remain a child forever.

The leader with the mandate of millions

Syed Pookoya who, loved and was loved by millions, was the dearest hero of masses. The roots of Muslim League grew on a popular level. He foresaw critical issues like female education in the society. He walked ahead of time.

Binding Past with the present

Who was Syed Pookoya Thangal? The question repeated itself in the gathering. Imam’s silence contained the answer. Syed Pookoya was the power of silence and the power of harmony. He tied tradition with modernity. He was the guide who led the Ummah on the past of the progress without breaching ties with the past and traditions. Today’s success also depends on the same approach, i.e., binding past with the present.

An essay by Abdus Samad Samadani. Translated by Jaihoon