Zainuddin Makhdoom II


Sheikh Ahmad Zainuddin Makhdoom bin Sheikh Muhammad Al Gazzali, grandson of Sheikh Zainuddin Makhdoom I, was the writer, orator, historian, jurisprudent and spiritual leader and widely known as Zainuddin Makhdoom Second or Zaniudeen Makhdoom Al Sageer whose family originated from Ma'bar, Yemen. He inherited the legacy of his grandfather and was installed as the Chief Qadi in the locality of Ponnani, Kerala, India, as well as appointed as the Chief Müderris in the historic Ponnani Dars at Ponnani Jum'ah Masjid, that buit by Zainuddin Makhdoom I.

Early life

He was born to the Makdoom family in the early months of Hijra 938 at Chombal, near Mahe, and received religious instruction under the supervision of his grandfather. He completed his primary education under his father Muhammed Gazzali and his uncle Abdul Azeez Bin Sheikh Makhdoom Al Avval and left for Makah for further study. He performed the Haj and settled there for ten years imbibing Islamic knowledge from exponents of Islamic law and other branches of knowledge. He received the guidance of famous scholars such as Al Hafiz Shihabuddeen bin Al Hajr Al Haithemi, Grand Mufti of Haramain and commentator in Hadeeth and Fiqh, Izzuddeen bin Abdul Azeez al Zamzami, Shiekh Abdul Rahman bin Ziyad and Sayyid Abdul Rahman Al Safwi.
He gained the Tassawwuf from Kutub Zaban Zain Ul Arifeen Muhammed Bin Sheikh Ul Arif Abu Hasan Al Bakri and was honored with eleven Khirkath, symbol of grade in Tareeqath. Within a short period he was hailed as the Sheikh of Qadriya Tareeqath.

In the field of service

After the decade-long stay in Makkah, he returned to Kerala and took charge as chief Mufti in the grand Masjid of Ponnani, a position he occupied for thirty-six years. A historian recorded that his mentor Ibn Hajar Hithami had come to Ponnani and stayed there for a short period. It is said that the famous lamp made of stone, presented by Ibn Hajar Hithami, is still kept in Ponnani Dars.

As the freedom fighter

He did not limit himself to work as a cleric, but made many significant intervention in the political arena, keeping warm relations with the major political figures in that period. He lived during the regime of Akbar, Mugal Empire and had a good relationship with Sultan Ali Adil Shah I, Sultan of Beejapur, as well as Zamorin of Calicut. He was a strident advocate of freedom struggles against the imperialist power of Portugal, and motivated the youth to take part in the special army of Zamorin to defend against them. In his masterpiece Tufathul Mujahideen Fi Akhbar ul Burthugalin, he narrated the brutality of the Portuguese on the Malabar soil with special reference to their anti-Muslim stance. He used to instil in Muslim youth the necessity of holy war and the inevitability of military action against the Portuguese. In the aforementioned text, he motivated them by exuding the endless promises of the Almighty for those who waged war against them, and boosted their morale by leading their mind to the sweet memories of the golden age of Islam.

Books by Makhdoom II

He was known for his unique command in writing in variety of subjects which includes jurisprudence, history, spirituality as well as other subjects which were distinct from other writers. The following table gives an overview of his works.
NoNames in EnglishOriginal NameMeaning of TitlesCore Subject
1Tuhfatul Mujahedeen Fi Bali Akhbar Ul Burthugaleenتحفة المجاهدين في بعض اخبارالبرتغالينPresentation for warriors on some news related to the PortugueseHistory of Muslims in Kerala with special reference to the brutalities of the Portuguese invasion
2Historia dos Portugueses no Malabar
3Fathul Mueen Sherh Kurrathul Ainفتح المعين شرح قرة العينFathul Mueen the annotation on Kurrathul AinExemplary text on Jurisprudence based on the Shafi school of thought; annotation on his own text Kurratul Ain
4Kurrathul Ain Bi Muhimmati Ddeenقرة العين بمهمات الدينSpecial attention on the major religious issuesPrecise text on jurisprudence based on the Shafi school of thought
5Irshadul Ibad Ila Sabeelil Rashadارشاد العباد الى سبيل الرشادGuidance for the slave to rectitudeSpiritual text explaining the way to the Almighty
6Ihkham Ahkam Nikahاحكام احكام النكاحConsolidation on the laws related to marriagePrecise explanation of the laws relating to marriage
7Sharhu Swadr Fi Ahval ul Mauthaشرح الصدور في احوال الموتىWidening of the chest in the context of the deadSpiritual text explaining the context of the afterworld; it was an annotation of the work done by Sooyoothi
8Ajvbathul Ajeebah An Asilathul Gareebahالاجوبة العجيبة عن الاسئلة الغريبةWonderful answers for rare questionsCollection of decrees issued on various issues
9Fatawa Al Hindiyyatالفتاوى الهنديةIndian decreeDecree issued on the special context of southern Indian state of Kerala
10Al Jawahir Fi Uqoobati Ahlil Kabairالجواهر في عقوبة اهل الكبائرGems on the consequence of the culpritsSpiritual text explaining the consequences for criminals
11Al Manhajul Vadihالمنهج الواضحThe obvious patternText explaining laws relating to marriage
12Al-Isti'dād Lil-Mawt Wa-su'āl al-Qabrالاستعداد للموت وسؤال القبر

Demise

He died of natural causes in 1583, and was laid to rest at Kunhippalli in Mahé. His tomb is located in his native village of Chombal, under a tree.