Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir

Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir (2 October 1891 – 14 February 1976) was an Indian Islamic scholar, spiritual guide, and Mufti. He was a key figure in acquiring government accreditation for many Arabic Colleges and Madrasas in Tamil Nadu. His contributions were recognised by his contemporaries with a felicitation function on 20 September 1967.

Education Ahmad Abdul Qadir spent his early childhood in the company of his paternal grandfather, Imam al-'Arus Sayyid Muhammad, who died when he was seven years old. He then received religious instruction from his father Sahib al-Jalwa Shahul Hamid (d. 1921) and his paternal uncle Sahib al-Khalwa Abdul Qadir (d. 1913) at the Arusiyya Seminary. During this period, he also memorized the whole Qur'an.

Following this, he continued his studies at Al-Baqiyat As-Salihat Seminary in Vellore. Here he was under the guidance of the seminary's founder, Shah Abdul Wahab, who was impressed by his ability in studies. Upon graduation at Vellore, he went to An-Nur Al-Muhammadiyya Seminary in Podakkudi where he acquainted with the seminary's founder Abdul Karim. He inaugurated the Uswatun Hasana Association in Kilakarai through which he managed mosques and coordinated social work in the town and surrounding areas in the Ramanathapuram district.

Felicitation function On 20 September 1967, Ahmad Abdul Qadir's services to Islam and humanity was commemorated with a felicitation function in Madurai. It coincided with the 80th Hijri year of his birth. Quaid-e-Millat Muhammad Ismail, Quaid al-Qawm Sayyid Abdur Rahman Bafaqi Thangal, A. K. A. Abdul Samad, Hazrat Ziauddeen (Principal, Arabic College, Podakkudi), Hazrat Rahmatullah (Principal, Arabic College, Nidur) were some of the dignitaries who attended the function.

Dr. T. P. Meenakshisundaram, Vice Chancellor of Madurai University, released a 370-page souvenir in honour of Ahmad Abdul Qadir at the function. It was a life montage of Ahmad Abdul Qadir in Tamil and English prose, together with greetings from luminaries around the world.

Death Ahmad Abdul Qadir died after the dawn prayers on Saturday, 14 February 1976, corresponding to the Hijri date 13 Safar 1369. The following day, in the presence of family, friends and disciples, his funeral prayer was led by his younger son, Dr Thaika Shuaib. He was laid to rest at the Arusiyya Tekke.