TANQIYATUL KHATIR

FI MADHI SHAYKHI
THAIKA AHMAD ABDUL QADIR
 TANQIYATUL KHATIR
FI MADHI SHAYKHI
THAIKA AHMAD ABDUL QADIR
Written

GRAND SON OF PERIYA SHEIKHANAYAGAM

Al Ubaidul Asil Ajizul JahilMoulavi

THAIKA MUHAMMAD SADAQAH JALALI ALIM GOUSI
( Gafarallahu lahu wali-walidayhi wa li-jami il-Muslimeen)

Beloved son of His Holiness

Qutbul muallam wal Gousul muffaham
SHAIKH NAYAGAM
Dr. THAIKA SHUAIB ALIM QADIRIYYUL JALALI
B.A (Hons)M.A,PhD,MFA Waliullah Radiyallahu Ta'ala anhu
 The 13th of Safar Marks the ‘Uroos Mubarak
of
His Holiness Quthubul Wujood,
Imamul Awraeen,
Quthubul Abdal, Sayyidul Ulama,
Shamsul Millat, Shamsul ‘Ulama,
Periya Shaykh Nayagam
Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim
Nayagam Waliullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu)
 A HUMBLE NOTE TO THE READER

This humble booklet is written in praise of Qutb al-Aqtaab, Shams al-‘Ulama, Imamul Awraeen,
Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah (Radiyallahu Ta’ala Anhu).
It is presented in the form of istighathah and contains short biographical notes on great
personalities of his noble lineage.

We have titled it:

TANQIYATUL KHATIR FI MADHI SHAYKHI THAIKA AHMAD ABDUL QADIR

(The Purification of the Heart in Praise of Shaykh Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir)

PERIYA SHEIKH NAYAGAM WAS BORN INTO A NOBLE LINEAGE OF SAINTS —

a sixth-generation descendant in the line of the MadihuRasool, Qutb al-Irshad, Ash-Shaikh
Sadaqathullah Appa Nayagam (Raliyallahu Ta’ala Anhu),
the great-grandson of Qutb al-Alam Sayyidina Kilakarai Thaika Sahib Appa Nayagam,
the grandson of Sayyidina Imam al-Aroos Mappila Lebbai Aalim Nayagam, author of the
Jalaliya Ratib,the nephew of Mawla al-Qawm, Qutb al-Fardh, Sayyid Abdul Qadir Khalwath
Nayagam, the son of Qutb al-Waraa, Sultan al-Waeleen, Thaika Shahul Hameed Jalwath Nayagam,
and the father of Qutb al-Mullam wal Ghawth al-Mufham, Shaikh Nayagam Thaika Shuaib Aalim
Waliyullah. ( Radiyallahu Ta'ala anhum ajmaeen ) As stated in the book Manhajul Qawiyyi,
Sayyidina Imam al-Attas Nayagam (Raliyallahu Ta’ala Anhu) said
“Whoever writes the biography of a saint will be with them in Paradise.
Whoever reads the biography of a saint out of love will also be with them in Paradise, as if he
has visited them. Whoever visits the grave of a saint will have their sins forgiven, provided they
have not wronged others.”
It is in this spirit that we present this short and simple biography of Sayyidina Imam Periya Sheikh
Nayagam Shams al-Ulama Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah Nayagam (Radiyallahu
Ta’ala Anhu), accompanied by Arabic praises composed in the form of istighathah
We sincerely request you to recite these poems and read his biography with deep love and
heartfelt devotion.

May Allah Ta’ala, through the intercession of our noble Shaykh, Sayyidina Imam Periya Sheikh
Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta’ala Anhu),
accept us all.
Aameen, Ya Rabbal ‘Alameen.
Thaika Muhammad Sadaqah
(Ghafara Allahu lahu wa li-wālidayhi wa li-jamī‘i al-Muslimīn
 The supreme luminary of his time, a master among the intellectual elite,
the sun amidst the greatest scholars, a Ghawth who extends help to those
on land and sea, the Qutb of both existence and non-existence, a possessor
of the exalted rank of al-Fardh, venerated as the Periya Shaykh Nayagam,
the noble beloved of Allah Most High, a man of radiant countenance
and elevated station — our master,
Sayyiduna Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir al-Kirkari
(Radiyallahu Ta’ala ‘Anhu).May Allah, through him,
bestow blessings and divine relief upon us in both worlds! With utmost
humility and reverence, may a Fatiha be offered in
proportion to his majestic rank.
 Shamsul Ulama Imam al-Awrain
Qutb al-Zaman Sayyiduna Periya Shaykh Nayagam
Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir Aalim
Waliyullah ( Radiyallahu Ta'ala anhu)

BIRTH:
He was born in Keelakarai on 27th Safar, 1309 Hijri — corresponding to 2nd October 1891, Friday.

FATHER:
His father was Sultan al-Waliyyin Qutbul Wara Thaika Shahul Hameed Jalwathu Nayagam Radiyallahu
Ta'ala anhu ( the son of Sayyiduna Imamul Arus Mappillai Labbai Aalim Nayagam )

MOTHER:
His mother was Khadija Umma Nayagi Radiyallahu Ta'ala anha the daughter of Kunankudi Fatima
Umma Nayagi Radiyallahu Ta'ala anha, ( who was the sister of Imamul Arus Nayagam)

THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER AND THE GUARDIANS WHO CARED FOR HIM THEREAFTER :-
In the life histories of many great Awliyah of high spiritual rank, it is often found that they
lost either their mother or father during early childhood. Similarly, in the life of our Periya Sheikh
Nayagam, Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliullah (Raliyallahu Ta'ala Anhu), this divine pattern
manifested as well. When he was just two years old, his beloved mother, Khadija Umma Nayagi
(Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anha), passed away.
Following her demise, he was lovingly raised under the care of his maternal grandmother,
Kunankudi Umma, and his paternal grandfather, Sayyidina Imamul Aroos Maapila Lebbai Aalim
Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anhu). In addition, Sayyidina Abdul Qadir Khalwath Nayagam
(Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anhu), the brother of his father, nurtured and brought up Periya Sheikh
Nayagam in place of his own son, who had passed away in childhood.

CHILDHOOD :
Periya Sheikh Nayagam was not someone who spent his childhood like other children playing and
laughing. He was a great soul who lived with spiritual reflection even from his early years. In the
kithab of Tasawwuf, we find that some of the Awliya who are among the Aqtab were protected and
nurtured by angels right from birth, by the will of Allah. This was also true in the life of Periya Sheikh
Nayagam, and the following is one such incident. One day, in the streets of Kilakarai, four men came
running noisily, shouting loudly. Periya Sheikh Nayagam was walking behind them. Hearing the
commotion, people began to gather. Eventually, the four men were caught and stopped. When asked
why they were making such noise and running in fear, they replied: “We are outsiders. We are
kidnappers who abduct children. We heard that this town is home to many wealthy people, so we
came here. When we arrived, we saw a child walking alone. As we approached to grab the child, this
man (referring to Periya Sheikh Nayagam) was walking nearby. The moment we moved closer to him,
two large lions emerged from his shoulders and roared at us fiercely. Seeing this, we became
extremely terrified and ran away shouting.”

That is what they confessed.

Moreover, when Periya Sheikh Nayagam went to pursue higher studies at the Arabic college
Baqiyat-us-Salihat, he was held in great esteem there as well. Both the teachers and fellow students
used to refer to him as a Wali of Allah. Not only that, Ala Hazrat Abdul Wahab Hazrat, the founder of
Baqiyat-us-Salihat Arabic College, showed great respect and affection toward his student, Periya
Sheikh Nayagam (Raliyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu)

TEACHERS:
As a child, he memorized the entire Qur'an under his paternal grandfather Sayyidina Imamul Arus
Nayagam and became a Hafiz . He studied under his father Asheikh Thaika Shahul Hameed Jalwathu
Nayagam, and also with his elder paternal uncle Thaika Sayed Abdul Qadir khalwath Nayagam, from
whom he learned Tasawwuf , Fiqh , Mantiq , and various other Islamic sciences over six years.
Following this, under the directive of his father Sayyidina jalwath Nayagam , he joined Baqiyyathus
Salihat Madrasah for spiritual blessings and studied under Shaikh Shah Abdul Wahhab Ala Hazrat,
earning the Baqavi Sanad. He also studied under Pattukkottai Shaikh Abdul Karim Hazrat and several
other renowned teachers.

SHAYKH OF THE TARIQA :

His spiritual guide and teacher in the Sufi path was none other than his father and teacher, Sultan
al-Waliyyin Qutbul Wara Qutb al-Zaman Sayyidina Thaika Shahul Hameed Jalwathu Nayagam.

MADHAB AND AQEEDA :

He followed the Shafi’i school in jurisprudence and was an adherent of the Ash’ari creed in theology.

STUDENTS:
Periya Shaykh Nayagam had a large number of students. Prominent among them were his son,
Dr. Shaykh Nayagam Thaika Shuaib Aalim Waliyullah, Qazi of Keelakarai – Muhammad Ibrahim Noori
Hazrat, and Abdul Majeed alias Arus Mawlana. Several students from Kerala,including the well-known
M. Abubacker Musliyar, studied under him. As he devoted most of his life to teaching and spreading
knowledge, the people affectionately and respectfully called him 'Ustadh Appa Nayagam. While
teaching his students, he would often deliver lessons without referring to books, relying solely on his
memory. Notably, he taught highly advanced and complex texts, especially within the Shafi‘i school of
thought, such as the famously difficult Fiqh manual Tuhfathul Muhtaj. The uniqueness of this book
lies in the fact that anyone who wishes to teach it must not only be highly skilled in Arabic Fiqh but
must also possess at least 20 to 30 years of experience—such is the depth and difficulty of the text.
This book consists of 9 volumes, with each volume containing around 900 pages. Yet, without even
looking at the pages and with his eyes closed, Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir
Aalim Waliyullah would teach the entire book from memory to his students

MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN

Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliullah married Maryam Ayesha Nayagi
Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anha, who was the daughter of his maternal uncle, Shaikh Salahuddin.
She was a Hafizah who had memorized the entire Qur’an and was one of the women Awliyah who
lived in Keelakarai.
From this blessed marriage, three children were born to the noble periya Sheikh Nayagam :

1. The first son: Thaika Ahmed Musthafa Alim Jamali

2. The second son: Quthubul Mullam Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah Radiyallahu
Ta'ala Anhu
3. The third: Thaika Sithi Aaliyah (daughter)
These are the three children born to the venerable Waliullah.
On Friday, November 14, 1958, corresponding to 2 Jumada al-Awwal 1378 Hijri, Periya Sheikh
Nayagam's wife, Mariyam Ayesha Umma, passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah
elevate her spiritual rank, and may He shower us with blessings through the barakah of Mariyam
Ayesha Umma.

SPIRITUAL RANK :
He was ranked among the Qutb al-Abdal and held the lofty spiritual title of Sahibul Waqth , Also
Quthubu zamaan The reason why Periya Sheikh Nayagam is referred to as "Qutb al-Abdal" is that, in
the histories of great saints, it has been recorded that he was seen in three different places at the
same time through his spiritual manifestations.

THE POSSESSOR OF MANY SPIRITUAL TITLES.

When people witness certain distinctive qualities in a person, they often combine those traits and
confer upon them a special title. In this way, as people observed the various remarkable qualities of
Periya Sheikh Nayagam, they began to honor him with special titles that reflected each of those
attributes. Here, I am presenting only a few of those names.

IMAMUL AWRAEEN
With the utmost level of precision and scrupulousness so much so that he would avoid even the
makruh acts in Shari'ah as if they were haram and perform sunnah acts with the commitment of
fardh (obligatory) duties—Periya Shaikh Nayagam (Raliyallahu Ta'ala Anhu) led a deeply meticulous
life. Witnessing this exemplary conduct, it is historically well-attested that over 500 families embraced
the religion of Islam through his influence. In recognition of this distinctive quality, the people
honored him with the title Imamul Awraeen.

PERIYA SHEIKH NAYAGAM

Witnessing the profound spiritual knowledge of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, the noble elders and the
general public respectfully and reverently referred to him as Shaikh Nayagam. Later, when his son
Dr. Thaika Shuaib Aalim Waliyullah assumed the spiritual position, everyone referred to Thaika Shuaib
Aalim Waliyullah as Shaikh Nayagam, and honored his father, Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim
Waliyullah, with the title Periya Sheikh Nayagam.

SUFI NAYGAM ( AHMED ABDUL QADIR SUFI )

If I were to explain the title “Sufi” in detail, the subject itself could easily span 100 to 200 pages. Our
Imams have written extensively about the status and meaning of a Sufi, and indeed, there is no need
to explain to you who the Sufis are.
To summarize:
Those who attain the status of Sufi are individuals who strictly adhere to Shariah. They uphold the
laws governing the body with utmost discipline. Moreover, their qalb are pure, always engaged
in ibadah. When books describe the characteristics of Sufis, they state that for a Sufi, wealth and
soil are the same they do not live for money. Whatever wealth they possess is used in charity.

Take for example well-known personalities like:

Sayyidina Imam Al-Ghazali , Sayyidina Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani , Sayyidina Imam Hasan Al-Basri ,
Sayyidina Junayd al-Baghdadi

Radiyallahu Ta'ala anhum ajmaeen

These are among the great leaders of the Sufis all of them were scholars , arifeen , and lived deeply
spiritual lives, teaching religion to the people. The life of Periya Sheikh Nayagam followed this same
pattern a life of extreme discipline, strict physical discipline, and complete detachment from worldly
comforts and wealth.
For example, when he inherited properties and wealth from his father Sayyidina Shahul Hameed
jalwath Nayagam , he gave them all away to his siblings. He chose to live in a small house with
his family.
My father, Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah, used to say that whenever it rained,
the entire house would leak. We lived on just one proper meal a day. On some days, plain water was
our only food. Many days of our lives were spent enduring hunger. Having forsaken all the luxuries
of the world, he lived with complete concern for the religion. Later, when his son my father Shaikh
Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah became wealthy, he gave all his earnings to his father,
Periya Sheikh Nayagam. And that noble man distributed all of it in charity. To understand how
generous he was: in the 1960s, he gave individuals amounts like 70 or 80 rupees and in those days,
that was a huge amount ( If we compare the value of one rupee from those days with today, its
approximate worth would be around 7,000 to 9,000 Indian rupees in the present time ). Even today,
when people donate money, they often give only 10 or 20 rupees. It was upon witnessing such
detachment from wealth and such a disciplined and pure life that the people began to refer to such
noble individuals as Sufi Nayagam Moreover, in honour of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, the noble disciple
of the saints, Kazi Muhammad Ibrahim Aalim Noori Hazrat, composed a Marssiayah Qaseeda in which
each and every verse ends with the phrase "Shaikhy Ahmed Abdul Qadir Sufi."

SHAMSUL ULAMA
Due to the profound religious knowledge and deeply refined lifestyle of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, he
was highly respected by the scholars of his time.
From 1970 to 1976, Periya Sheikh Nayagam served as the President of the Tamil Nadu Jamaat-ul-
Ulama Council.
Moreover, all the eminent scholars of that era unanimously honored him with the distinguished title
"Shamsul Ulama" (The Sun of the Scholars). Many scholars praised him as the perfect example of
one who lived fully in accordance with his knowledge. It is said, “If one wishes to witness the life
of the great Imams of the past, let them observe the life of Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir Aalim.”
“FREEDOM FIGHTER SAYYIDUL UMMAH"
He also deeply felt the pain and suffering caused by the British colonial rule upon his homeland, India,
and its people. Just as our forefathers—our freedom fighters—fought against the British for the
freedom of India, likewise Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliullah
Raliyallahu tala anhu also fought against them. The British authorities unjustly arrested and
imprisoned innocent and pious people. During those times, Periya Sheikh Nayagam would personally
visit the homes of those whose family members were imprisoned. He would provide complete
support to their families offering household essentials, food supplies, and acting as the head of the
household in their absence. His noble acts angered the British authorities to the extent that they even
attempted to imprison him. Moreover, whenever the British harassed or troubled common people
without reason, Periya Sheikh Nayagam boldly confronted them, speaking out courageously and
standing firm in resistance. In 1905, the Swadeshi Movement—a movement to boycott British goods,
burn foreign clothes, and promote economic independence and patriotism—was actively carried out
In the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu under the leadership of our Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika
Ahmed Abdul Qadir Waliyullah. This infuriated the British colonial authorities to the extreme, and
they even attempted to assassinate him—but they failed. He also inspired the people to stand against
British oppression, providing motivation and guidance to resist colonial tyranny. His determined
efforts led to driving out several oppressive figures of the administration from the region. Due to his
relentless activism and leadership for the people, he was honored by the public with the noble title
"Sayyid al-Ummah" (The Master of the Nation).

SHAMSUL MILLAT
Periy Shaikh Nayagam was a great man who dedicated his life to serving the people.
When we look into history, especially the lives of our predecessors — the Sufi saints and Awliya — we
can see that they prioritized social service alongside their spiritual paths. Prominent figures like
Shaikh Ahmad Kabir Rifai Nayagam and Sultanul Hind Khaja Nayagam are prime examples of this
commitment. Following in the footsteps of such predecessors, Periy Shaikh Nayagam also lived a life
of service and dedication to the community. Among the many notable contributions he made, one of
the most impactful was his effort to reform education after the British left India. After India's
independence, people had developed a strong aversion to the English language due to their painful
experiences under British rule. To change this mindset and ensure that future generations received
both religious and worldly knowledge, Periy Shaikh Nayagam established English medium schools. He
set up separate schools for boys and girls, ensuring that girls also had equal educational
opportunities. The school infrastructure was also planned thoughtfully — with benches and desks
where all students could sit and study equally, regardless of background. Additionally, he initiated
separate religious schools (madrasas) for men and women to ensure they received proper Islamic
education. He also started a hospital in his hometown to provide essential healthcare services and
constructed footpaths so that villagers could walk safely. Periy Shaikh Nayagam didn’t stop there.
Recognizing the emotional burden of men who had to work far from their families, he even wrote
letters to companies, requesting that husbands be granted at least one day of leave each month to
visit their families. He took personal responsibility for widows and orphans in his locality — providing
their expenses, food, and care at his own cost. For people who didn’t have homes, he built houses
with whatever means he had. Whenever someone in the community passed away, he would
personally lead the arrangements — from bathing the deceased to taking the body to the grave —
standing in the frontlines of service.
To ensure such essential services would continue, he also established a community service group
named "Usuvathul Hasana" in Keelakarai, to serve the people consistently. All these exemplary acts
of compassion, leadership, and selfless service deeply inspired those around him. Seeing these
qualities, the great scholar and Indian freedom fighter Qaide Millath Ismail Sahib honored our
Periya Shaikh Nayagam with the title "Shamsul Millat", meaning "The Sun of the Community."

THAIKA AALIMSA
Periya Shaikh Nayagam Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anhu spent most of his life at Al-Jamaiyathul Arabiyathul
Aroosiya Arabic College, which was founded by his noble predecessors.If anyone came to Keelakarai
seeking to meet Periya Shaikh Nayagam, it was enough for them to visit either the Keelakarai Juma
Masjid or the Arusiya Arabic College, as these were the two places where he could most often be
found. Out of deep respect and love, people used to call this great luminary by the honorary
title "Thaika AalimSa."

MUHIYISUNNAH
Periya Shaikh Nayagam was extremely strict in following the Sunnah of the Prophet Sayyidina Taha
Rasulullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam So much so that, whenever he had to travel to different places
by the will of Allah, he would always carry a small container in his hand with salt in it. The reason
was that he didn’t want to miss the Sunnah of eating salt before meals, even when he was away
from home. Moreover, he always wore a cap along with a turban on his head, because wearing a
cap underneath the turban is a Sunnah. In this way, he held firmly to the Sunnah even in the
smallest of matters. Many scholars used to say about Periya Shaikh Nayagam that “he is the living
embodiment of the Sunnah.” In addition, the great Scholar's honored him by referring to him with
the title "Muhiyisunnah" – The Reviver of the Sunnah.

MUKKAD AALIMSA
Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu) was
affectionately known as “Mukkad Aalimsa” — a title that reflected his deep modesty and taqwa. The
word “Mukkad” refers to a head covering used to lower the gaze. Out of reverence for Allah, Periya
Sheikh Nayagam would cover his head and part of his face with his shawl whenever he stepped
outside, to avoid accidentally seeing anything impermissible. This constant act of humility and
self-restraint earned him the name “Mukkad Aalimsa”, meaning “the scholar who veiled his gaze.”
It was a simple gesture, but it revealed a heart filled with haya (modesty), adab (etiquette), and
awareness of Allah.

SERVICE TO THE RELIGION:

Periya Shaikh Nayagam’s service for the religion was not limited to India alone; he also rendered
significant service outside India. In Sri Lanka, he provided spiritual knowledge to many people,
established Arabic colleges, and set up several Thakkiya's where those who walked the spiritual
path could gather and engage in Dhikr . He also imparted religious knowledge and extended
various forms of support to them for their spiritual and religious needs Periya Sheikh Nayagam was
always at the forefront when it came to serving the mosque. Wherever he happened to pass by a
mosque, he would make it a habit to enter and pray two rak‘ahs of tahiyyatul masjid (greeting the
mosque). This was a regular practice of his. Moreover, I will briefly mention a major incident from
the life of Periya Sheikh Nayagam.
At the Keelakari Jum‘ah Mosque, there was a cleaner who would come early in the morning before
the Fajr prayer to clean the mosque premises and the bathrooms. In earlier times, istinja stones (also
known as istijmar) were used to cleanse oneself after relieving oneself. These stones would be kept in
the bathroom area. The khadim would come and thoroughly clean everything. But one day, when the
khadim came to clean the mosque's bathroom and istinja stones, he found that someone had already
done all the cleaning before him. He was puzzled. This continued for one month's . Curious and
determined to find out who was doing all the work, the khadim decided to stay awake and observe
the mosque premises during the night. Around 1:30 in the morning, he saw an elderly man pushing a
small cart filled with five containers of water. The man took them toward the mosque’s bathrooms.
He then cleaned the toilets and washed all the istinja stones that the public had used. Witnessing
this, the khadim was shocked. To his amazement, the person doing all this was none other than
Sayyidina Periya Sheikh Nayagam himself. What’s even more astonishing is that at that time, Periya
Sheikh Nayagam was the Qazi of the region. He was a Shaikh with many disciples and was the father
of a wealthy and successful son. He was a person highly respected and honored by ministers and
officials. Yet, despite his high position and public responsibilities, he personally washed the toilets
and cleaned the stones used by people for istinja. Whenever the village ponds filled with water,
people would go there to bathe, usually early in the morning. Periya Sheikh Nayagam would also go,
carrying 10 to 20 colourful lungis in his hand. If he saw anyone bathing in a manner that exposed
their ‘awrah (the parts of the body that should be covered), he would kindly offer them a lungi for
free and gently advise them to cover themselves properly while bathing. This became his regular
practice. He would visit every pond where people bathed and serve the community in this way.
Because of the efforts of this noble man, the entire village eventually became accustomed to bathing
with modesty, always ensuring that their ‘awrah was properly covered. Such was the sincerity,
humility, and service of Sayyidina Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliullah
Raliyallahu tala anhu.

A LIFE ENTIRELY DEVOTED TO WORSHIP:

Periya Sheikh Nayagam was deeply committed to acts of worship. Every day, he would perform 11
rak‘ahs of Witr prayer. Remarkably, over the course of just four nights of Witr prayers, he would
complete a full Khatm al-Qur’an (recitation of the entire Qur’an). Additionally, he would complete
another full Khatm in just two days through other means of recitation. This was apart from the
Qur’anic recitation he incorporated into the Sunnah prayers that follow each obligatory (Fardh)
prayer. For instance, he would recite one Juz during the Sunnah prayer before Fajr, another Juz during
the Sunnah of Dhuhr, and so on—completing approximately 15 Juz in a single day. In this way, he
would finish another complete Khatm every two days. However, during the daytime in Ramadan,
Periya Sheikh Nayagam would generally refrain from reciting the Qur’an. When asked why, he
explained: “When I begin reciting the Qur’an, I feel a sweetness on my tongue as if honey is being
poured upon it. That sweetness spreads not only through my mouth but throughout my entire body.
During the days of Ramadan, I fear that this sweetness might become so intense that my tongue may
tear. That is why I avoid Qur’anic recitation during the day and instead engage in other acts of
devotion. I dedicate my Qur’an recitation to the nights of Ramadan.” Periya Sheikh Nayagam was
extremely meticulous when it came to the matter of prayer . So much so that, even in his old
age—when it became physically difficult to stand—he was still determined to perform Salat standing.
He went to the extent of fixing a rope on the ceiling of his room which he would hold onto while
standing in Salat..
This was because, in the Shafi’i Madhhab, if a person is able to stand for the obligatory prayer—even
by using some form of support—then it is necessary to do so. This is the opinion of the
Shafi’i scholars.
Periya Sheikh Nayagam used to say:
“If I can stand by holding a rope, then sitting for prayer is not right for me.”
Such was the scrupulousness and care he maintained in his spiritual life. But today, we see a
contrast—people are willing to stand for everything else, yet when it comes to prayer . they prefer to
sit and pray on a chair. Once, a question was asked to Periya Sheikh Nayagam: “Would you prefer
Paradise or two rak‘ahs of prayer?” He replied: “Two rak‘ahs of prayer are enough for me, because
the joy and sweetness I experience in them cannot be found in anything else.” Not only that—when
Periya Sheikh Nayagam lay down, he would rest on a simple mat, and there would usually be an
umbrella placed beside him.
Periya Sheikh Nayagam was very minimal when it came to eating. He would eat only once a day.
Even then, he would never eat alone — he always ensured that someone else was with him while
eating. After finishing his meal, he had a practice of pouring water into the plate, wiping it clean with
his hand, and then drinking that water. This was also part of his regular routine. (According to a
Hadith, it is mentioned that whoever does this will receive a reward equivalent to freeing one
hundred thousand slaves for the sake of Allah.)

THE UNIQUE TARBIYAH METHOD OF PERIYA SHEIKH NAYAGAM:

Periya Sheikh Nayagam’s method of tarbiyah (spiritual training) was unique and deeply rooted in
compassion and character. He transformed many sinners simply through the beauty and nobility of his
conduct. One such incident occurred while he was serving as the head of the Tamil Nadu Jam‘iyyathul
Ulama. During the month of Ramadan, he received a letter from the Jam‘iyyah concerning a certain
town. It stated that, despite the sacred month, a man there was openly running a tea shop near the
mosque in the mornings, serving tea to customers. Even though he had been repeatedly advised, he
refused to close his shop during fasting hours. Upon hearing this, Periya Sheikh Nayagam immediately
travelled to that town and remained there for the entire month of Ramadan. Every morning after the
Fajr prayer, he would silently sit near the tea shop, engaging in dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Seeing
Periya Sheikh Nayagam seated there each morning, people gradually stopped visiting the tea shop.
With no more customers, the tea seller eventually closed his business. After Ramadan, on the night of
Eid, Periya Sheikh Nayagam personally visited the man’s home and asked him, “How much do you
usually earn in a day by selling tea?” The man replied, “About five rupees a day.” (This incident took
place in 1971; five rupees at that time was roughly equivalent to 600–700 rupees today.) Periya Sheikh
Nayagam then handed him 160 rupees—equivalent to 28 days of income—and said: “This is a gift
from us, because for 28 days, you refrained from doing something wrong and helped others do what is
right.”Hearing this, the man broke into tears. From that day forward, he lived a righteous and pious
life. This incident has been preserved in history as a shining example of Periya Sheikh Nayagam’s noble
and transformative approach to tarbiyah.

RADIANT ETIQUETTE:
One of the outstanding qualities of Periya Sheikh Nayagam was his unwavering etiquette. Regardless
of whom he met—whether younger or older—he consistently addressed everyone using the
respectful Tamil pronouns neenga (you – formal) and unga (your – formal).
Moreover, whenever he encountered learned scholars of religion, he expressed deep love and would
eagerly offer any service within his capacity. His manner of serving Islamic scholars was so remarkable
that anyone who witnessed it would be struck with the sense that Periya Sheikh Nayagam was no
ordinary individual—he was truly exceptional. He would often say, “If a community ceases to respect
the scholars of religion, that community is on the path to destruction.” His close attendant (khadim),
Najmuddin, once shared that the Sheikh’s face always radiated with cheerfulness and light. He was
known to sleep only after performing ablution (wudu). On one occasion, Periya Sheikh Nayagam
experienced a stomach ailment. That night, he performed ablution nearly twenty times, and after
each wudu, he offered two rak‘ahs of Sunnah prayer. I personally witnessed this noble habit when I
had the honor of serving my father, Sayyidina Sheikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah,
during the COVID-19 pandemic. My father, Shaykh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah
(Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anhum), once shared an incident about his father, Periya Sheikh Nayagam
( Radiyallahu Ta'ala anhu ). One day while my Beloved father Shaykh Nayagam Thaika Shuaib Alim
Waliullah, was standing near Periya Sheikh Nayagam a student approached and greeted him with
"Assalamu Alaikum Usthad Appa Nayagame ." However, Periya Sheikh Nayagam did not respond
immediately. Instead, he quickly proceeded to perform ablution (wudu), as he had been on his way
to make wudu when the student greeted him. After completing the ablution, he returned and replied
to the student in a loud and clear voice: "Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullah." Then, addressing the
student gently, he said, "Please forgive me. When you greeted me, I did not have wudu. So I
responded in my heart, for how could I utter the blessed name of Allah’s Salam with my tongue
without being in a state of purity?" Look at how meticulously Periya Sheikh Nayagam lived his life with
such profound reverence and care, even in matters as seemingly small as responding to a greeting.

SINCERE HUMILITY:
Not only that, Periya Sheikh Nayagam was a person of extreme humility, which was evident
throughout his life and in his manner of conduct. Even when he held high spiritual ranks, whenever
letters or documents were brought to him for his approval and signature—based on the
understanding that matters should proceed only with his consent—he consistently signed all his
writings and speeches with the phrase: Al ‘Ubaidul ‘Asil ‘Ajizul Jahil “The menial slave who is a sinner,
incapable, and ignorant.” Such expressions reflect the mindset of the Awliyā’ Allah. Similar phrases
can also be found in the poems and writings of Periya Sheikh Nayagam’s forefathers and spiritual
predecessors. Moreover, my father—Qutbul Mullām Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Aalim
Waliullah Raliyallahu Ta’ala ‘Anhu—who was both the son and Khalifa of Periya Sheikh Nayagam,
followed the same path. I myself have witnessed numerous nights when my father would weep
bitterly, repeating: “I am a sinner.” This is the true inner world of the Awliyā’ Allah.

KARAMATH:
Many karamat were manifested from Periya Sheikh Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu) due to the
immense barakah he was blessed with. Only a few of them are mentioned here. As previously stated,
when Periya Sheikh Nayagam was a child, he once went to the seashore. It was there that lions were
seen behind him by a group of young men who were following him. They were struck with awe,
repentance overtook their hearts, and they were guided to the right path. On another occasion, just
as the adhan was called at the mosque, Periya Sheikh Nayagam was seen immediately leaving in his
vehicle. A student, noticing this, thought to himself, “Where is my Ustadh, Periya Sheikh Nayagam,
heading just as the adhan has been called?” Out of curiosity, he quickly followed behind on
his bicycle.
He witnessed Periya Sheikh Nayagam entering a forested area and offering prayer. The student was
left stunned and awestruck. When the prayer was completed, Periya Sheikh Nayagam turned, saw the
student, and gently asked, “Son, why have you come here?” The student replied, “Ustadh Appa
Nayagame, I saw you leaving right after the adhan and decided to follow you. When I arrived here, I
saw something astonishing. While you were praying, the Rukn-e-Yamani of the Kaʿbah was seen
before you!” Upon hearing this, Periya Sheikh Nayagam humbly instructed that it should not be
shared with anyone. However, due to his humility, it was Allah Most High Himself who caused this
karamath to be known.
In the small village of Raja Singam Mangalam, located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil
Nadu, India, great suffering had been experienced due to a prolonged absence of rain. The intense
heat brought hardship to everyone, especially women, children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
Special duas and Salat al-Istisqa had been offered by the Muslim villagers in their mosques. People of
other faiths had also performed their respective religious rituals, hoping for divine mercy. Yet, no
rainfall had been granted. Certain Hindu swamis declared, “This is divine punishment. It is a sign of
wrath. You must endure it as such.” These hopeless statements only deepened the despair of the
villagers. Eventually, a collective decision was made by the Muslims of the village: “Let Periya Sheikh
Nayagam be visited and our suffering explained to him,” as he was, at the time, the Mufti of the
Ramanathapuram District. Their grief was presented before Periya Sheikh Nayagam, and he was
humbly requested to visit the village and offer dua. In response to their sincere plea, Periya Sheikh
Nayagam accompanied them to Raja Singam Mangalam. Upon arrival, he stood with full spiritual
dignity, raised his hands toward the sky, and with the authority of a sovereign commanding his
realm, uttered a few words. Immediately, rainfall was granted from the heavens, and it poured for six
continuous hours. This event took place in the year 1964, and it has been recorded in history as a
clear manifestation of karamath. After witnessing this, many non-Muslim residents of the village
embraced Islam, and their conversion was personally overseen by Periya Sheikh Nayagam. From this,
it has become clear that Periya Sheikh Nayagam held the spiritual rank of Qutb and had attained the
station of Mudabbir al-‘Alam among the Awliya. In the book Radd al-Jahil ila al-Sawab fi Jawaz Idafat
al-Taʾthir ila al-Asbab, authored by Imam Abdul Ghani al-Nablusi (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu), it is
documented that many Awliya who reached the ranks of Aqtab and Mudabbir al-‘Alam were known
for such karamat.
As part of his spiritual mission, many lands and countries were visited by Periya Sheikh
Nayagam. One such country was Sri Lanka, where people would approach him to seek blessings,
share their struggles, gain religious knowledge, and take spiritual bay‘ah (initiation).
Among these visitors, a father once brought his ten-year-old son and said, “Periya Sheikh Nayagame,
my son is now ten years old, but he is juvenile and disobedient. Please make dua for him.” Periya
Sheikh Nayagam looked at the child, took kalkandu (rock sugar), placed it in his own mouth, then
transferred it to the child’s mouth, and said: “He will live until the age of 63. Not only that, he will
also serve as a caretaker of our Thakkiyahs in our spiritual path. And when he passes away, he will die
with honor and respect.” As foretold, that boy lived until the age of 63 and passed away in his 63rd
year. He became known in Sri Lanka as Shafiq Hassan JP, a respected figure who served as caretaker
of Masjid Muhyiddeen Thakkiyah (1887), Milidduwa, Galle (renovated in 1982) under the
Aroosiyathul Qadiriyya Tariqa. His janazah prayer was led by Sayyiduna Sheikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika
Shuaib Aalim Waliullah, the noble son of Periya Sheikh Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu).
When Najmuddin, the khadim of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, entered the Sheikh’s room to serve him, a
snake was seen before the Sheikh. Najmuddin attempted to strike it with a stick, but was immediately
stopped. Periya Sheikh Nayagam told him, “O Najmuddin! Do not strike this snake. It is a jinn who
has come to visit and share its troubles. It must not be harmed.” Najmuddin Haji also once stated that
he personally witnessed Periya Sheikh Nayagam speaking with birds, animals, and trees in the same
manner one speaks to humans. Among the Awliya, those who have reached the rank of Qutb al-Fard
are known to converse with birds, trees, animals, stones, the skies, and rivers. This has been described
as a common occurrence for those at that level. Regarding how such interactions occur and with
what entities, the Imams have provided authentic explanations. Sayyidina Imam Abdul Wahhab
al-Sha’rani (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu) elaborated on this in his book Al-Yawaqit wa-l-Jawahir fi Bayan
ʿAqaʾid al-Akabir. A detailed explanation is not being provided here, as it would require a lengthy
write-up. This is merely a summary presented as part of the biography of Periya Sheikh Nayagam.
Those wishing to study further may visit the YouTube channel titled “Islamic Knowledge”, where
relevant classes have been uploaded. Further inquiries may be made by contacting the author directly.
Many more karamat were manifested throughout the life of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, through which
countless individuals embraced Islam. As this is a brief kithab written for barakah and as an
introduction to the life of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, only selected points have been included. A
comprehensive kithab covering the full biography and history of these great saints has already been
completed and is currently under editing. All are kindly requested to make dua for its successful
completion.

KHALWAT OF PERIYA SHEIKH NAYAGAM (RADIYALLAHU TA‘ALA ANHU):

Khalwah (spiritual seclusion) has long been practiced by the Awliya. It was an act engaged in by
Sayyidina Taha Rasulullahi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, who spent time in solitude, such as in the Cave
of Hira. This practice was continued by numerous saints throughout history. Among those who engaged
in khalwah were Imam Hasan al-Basri, Imam al-Ghazali, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani Qutb Nayagam,
and Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi.
The spiritual forefathers of Periya Sheikh Nayagam also followed this path.
•His great-grandfather, Keelakarai Thaika Sahib Appa Nayagam, remained in khalwah for 14 years
until his wafath.
•Another ancestor, Sayyidina Imamul Aroos Nayagam, observed two years of khalwah.
•His paternal uncle, Khalwath Nayagam, stayed in khalwah for 33 years, earning that very title.
•His father, Sayyidina Shahul Hameed Jalwath Nayagam, remained in khalwah for one year, after
which he emerged for public guidance and was given the title Jalwath (emergence after seclusion).

Following their example, Periya Sheikh Nayagam also entered khalwah during the final two years of
his life at his home in Keelakarai.The room where he remained in khalwah has been preserved
without any change. Though the surrounding parts of the house have been renovated, the khalwah
room remains untouched to this day, retaining its original form. Khalwah is a noble and lofty act of
worship but is not suitable for everyone. The conditions, timing, and manner of entering into
khalwah have been thoroughly discussed by the Imams of Tasawwuf. Sayyidina Imam Abdul Wahhab
al-Sha’rani (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu) explained these in detail in his book: “Al-Jawahir al-Maknuna wa
Sirr al-Markoom fi ma Tafdahu Khalwah min al-Asrar wal-‘Uloom” (“The Hidden Jewels and the Secret
Treasures Regarding What Khalwah Reveals of Mysteries and Knowledge”). Likewise, Imam
al-Muhasibi (Radiyallahu Ta‘ala Anhu) has written extensively in:
“Kitab al-Khalwah wa al-Tanaqqul fi al-‘Ibadah wa Darajat al-‘Abideen”
(“The Book of Seclusion, Its Gradual Stages in Worship, and the Ranks of the Devotees”).
A detailed discussion is not being included here. Those interested may contact us directly. Work is
currently underway on a kithab based on the guidance of the Imams concerning this subject. Your
duas are kindly requested for its completion.

WAFATH :
One day before his passing, Periya Sheikh Nayagam turned to his daughter, Thaika Sithi Aaliyah
Umma, and pointed towards a particular door, saying: "My daughter, I have decided to go out. Will I
be able to go out through this door?" However, Sithi Aaliyah Umma could not understand what he
meant, as the door he referred to was a narrow one typically used by people to exit easily. But Periya
Sheikh Nayagam was referring to his departure from this world his death without directly stating it.
He knew that after death, the deceased is carried out on a bier, and the door he referred to was too
narrow for such a purpose. In addition, before his passing, he developed a fever. (Historically, many
great Awliyah and spiritual leaders passed away with ailments like fever or stomach-related issues.
For example, Sayyidina Taha Rasulullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam , Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq
Nayagam, Imam Al-Ghazali Nayagam experienced a fever three days before his Wafaath. Sayyidina
Imam Abdul Qadir al-Jilani Nayagam , and also Periya Sheikh Nayagam’s predecessors — Keelakarai
Thaika Sahib Appa Nayagam , Sayyid Abdul Qadir Khalwath Nayagam, Shahul Hameed Jalwath
Nayagam, Imamul Aroos Nayagam , and his own son, Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Aalim
Waliyullah — all had fever before their departure.)
This is significant because fever is regarded in some Hadiths as a mercy from Allah. It is said that
when a believer is afflicted with fever, their minor sins are forgiven. Just like his predecessors,
Periya Sheikh Nayagam also experienced fever. However, the fever did not hinder his acts of worship.
His daily Qur’an recitation and dhikr . continued without disruption. On the fourth day of his fever,
on a Saturday morning, the 13th of Safar, after performing the Fajr prayer, he completed his daily
dhikr and Qur’an recitation. and in the presence of his disciples, he recited the Kalimah Shahadah:

“I testify that there is no deity but Allah, and I testify that you (O Muhammad) are the Messenger
of Allah (peace be upon him).” Periya Sheikhanayagam passed away while looking directly at the
Prophet Sayyidina Taha Rasulullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam Nayagam and reciting the Shahadah.
At that time, he was 85 years old. When news of his passing spread, disciples (mureeds) and lovers
(muhibbeen) of the Sheikh gathered in large numbers. His blessed and majestic janazah drew crowds
who came to witness and seek blessings. Under the leadership of the family members, the Blessed
body of Periya Sheikh Nayagam was given a ritual bath at the Manas. After that, Janazah prayer were
held in eleven mosques surrounding Keelakarai. The reason is that participating in the Janazah prayer
of the righteous is a deed of great reward. And when it is the funeral of a great Waliullah,
SubhanAllah, the merit and spiritual significance are beyond words.
It is mentioned in some fiqh kithab's that during the Janazah prayer of a great Waliullah, even the
angels , the Qutubs who were the Wali’s spiritual masters, and even the Prophet Sayyidina Taha
Rasulullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam and may spiritually participate in it.
Because of this, large crowds gathered at all 11 locations.
Finally, at Aroosiya Thaikka in Keelakarai, the Janazah prayer was conducted under the leadership of
Qutbul Mullaam wal Gawsul Muffaham Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah
(Radiyallahu Ta'ala Anhu) — the son and Khalifa of Periya Sheikh Nayagam Raliyallahu tala anhu.
After the Janazah, the decision was made to proceed with the burial. It was initially decided by most
of the family that the burial should be at the exact spot where the miraculous vision occurred during
the prayer of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, where he saw the Ka'bah. A grave was dug at that location.
However, the decree of Allah was different. When the Janazah prayer began at Aroosiya Thaikka,
heavy rain began to pour, and it did not stop. Due to the rain, the previously chosen grave filled with
water, making it unsuitable for the burial. At that moment, everyone realized that Periya Sheikh
Nayagam should be buried alongside his forefathers, and this was understood as a divine
instruction from Allah.
Thus, he Radiyallahu Anhu was finally laid to rest beside his great-grandfather, Imamul Aroos
Nayagam, and Thaika Sahib Appa, his maternal great-grandfather, at the Keelakarai Aroosiya
Thaikka Maqam.

LEGACY:
Many elegies (marsiyyas), qasidas, mawlids, and poetic praises have been composed in both Tamil
and Arabic in honour of Periya Sheikh Nayagam (RadiyAllahu Ta’ala ‘Anhu). These works reflect the
deep love and devotion of those who sought blessings (barakah) through his remembrance.

Among the most notable:

•A Bayth penned by Kazi Muhammad Ibrahim Aalim Noori, a devoted student of Periya Sheikh
Nayagam.
•Arabic and Tamil articles authored by Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliullah, his son and spiritual
successor (Khalifa).
•A Mawlid composed by Abdul Majeed Aroos Mowlana, the grandson of Periya Sheikh Nayagam’s
sister and one of his students.
•A Tamil Qasida written by Badruddin, a close friend, for the purpose of seeking blessings.

Through these and many other contributions, the legacy of Periya Sheikh Nayagam continues to
inspire hearts and illuminate paths with spiritual light
 SOME PRECIOUS ADVICES
1. On Sending Salawat “Send abundant Salawat upon the Prophet Sayyiduna Tāha Rasulullahi
sallallahualaihi wasallam because the actions of the one who sends Salawat will be elevated in the
sight of Allah.”
2. On Restraining the Tongue “Even if your heart finds it difficult to show respect to others, it is
enough if you can restrain your tongue from insulting them.”
3. On Guarding Against Haram Thoughts When someone once asked how to protect oneself from
haram thoughts, Periya Sheikh Nayagam advised: “Reduce your food intake, prevent your eyes from
looking at forbidden things, avoid thinking about haram, guard your tongue from unnecessary
speech, and avoid the company of those who indulge in it. Keep your thoughts focused on food
only as needed — instead, reflect more on meeting Allah and living in the companionship of the
Prophet Sayyiduna Tāha Rasulullahi sallallahu alaihi wasallam Nayagam.”
4. On Gratitude “Even now, be grateful at all times and to everyone. A thankful heart is where true
happiness flourishes.”
5. On Nurturing Children “Educate and nurture children with love, and they will, in turn,
nurture society.”
6. On Facing Hardship When someone who had suffered business loss came and shared his sorrow,
Periya Sheikh Nayagam comforted him with these words:
“A heart connected to Allah will not be disturbed by anything that happens in the world.”
7. On Inner Value “You don’t have to be like a perfume that everyone likes. Instead, be like clear
water — needed by all.”
8. On Life’s Purpose “Any gathering or journey on this earth that does not lead to Paradise has
no value.”
9. On Joking “When joking, never make jokes that are disrespectful or hurtful.”
10. On Loving the Scholars “Love the scholars, stay close to them, learn from them, and assist them.
Even if you yourself cannot become a scholar, through you, Allah will bring forth scholars and saints
from your lineage.”
11. On Spiritual Upbringing “If you want your children to grow spiritually, let them see you respecting
Islamic scholars and religious teachings.”
12. On the Qur’an “Recite the Qur’an frequently, because your relationship with the Qur’an reflects
your relationship with Allah.”
13. On the Consequences of Sin “Whether sins are small or big, they remove blessings from one’s life.”
14. On Humility “Always remain humble. Pride distances you from Allah’s mercy and leads to
destruction.”
15. On Marriage and Understanding “No man or woman is perfect. But when both learn to overlook
each other’s flaws, true completeness is achieved.”
16. On Speech and Sensitivity “Controlling your tone to avoid hurting others is more valuable than
having beautiful thoughts kept inside.”
These are just a few among the many precious words of guidance
Periya Sheikh Nayagam would always comb his beard and apply oil to his head Before going for
prayer, he would apply attar (fragrance) and wear his turban. The way Periya Sheikh Nayagam stood
for prayer was as dignified and elegant as one would appear when attending an important function
or a grand gathering—prepared with the best attire and grooming.
My father, Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliyullah, would often say that simply watching
Periya Sheikh Nayagam perform his prayer was beautiful, captivating, and inspiring.
When combing his beard, he would always begin from the right side, reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.
While combing the left side, he would recite Surah Al-Inshirah (the Surah beginning with
“Alam nashrah…”). It is mentioned in various Islamic texts that those who follow this practice will
receive Allah’s forgiveness—and Periya Sheikh Nayagam would encourage others to adopt it. After
ablution (wudhu), he would again comb his beard.He always carried in his pocket a small comb, a
miswak, and a small container of salt—so that if there was an opportunity to eat somewhere, he
could touch the salt before eating, thereby reviving the Sunnah of beginning a meal with salt. Along
with this, he would also keep a few dates in a small pouch, as starting a meal with fruit is also a
Sunnah. Keeping dates on hand was his way of honoring this practice.

Using the miswak at the following 21 occasions is Sunnah:

1.When entering the mosque
2.When leaving the mosque
3.During prayer
4.While performing ablution
5.Before beginning to recite the Qur’an
6.When entering the house
7.When leaving the house
8.When making a phone call
9.When the Iqamah is given
10.When delivering the Friday Khutbah
11.After the Witr prayer
12.When meeting with fellow Muslims
13.Upon entering the Ka‘bah
14.When performing Tayammum
15.When attending gatherings of Islamic knowledge or dhikr
16.Upon waking from sleep
17.When feeling hungry or thirsty
18.Before and after eating
19.While bathing
20.At the beginning of intimacy
21.Before sleeping—whether during the day or night

"One day, I asked my father, Shaykh Nayagam Thaika Shu'aib Waliyullah Radiyallahu tala anhu, 'Vappa,
what should I do to perform more good deeds and engage in more worship (‘ibadah), like you and
your father, Periya Shaykh Nayagam ?'
Then, my father, Shaykh Nayagam Thaika Shu'aib Aalim Waliyullah Radiyallahu tala anhu, replied
humbly: 'I am nothing. But regarding this matter, Imam Sahl al-Tustari Nayagam Radiyallahu tala
anhu has said: To immerse oneself in righteous deeds, one needs tawfeeq (divine enablement).
That can only be obtained from Allah. The only way to it is through supplication (du‘ā) and
sincere weeping.'" A book is currently being written, dedicated entirely to the advice and daily
spiritual practices (a‘maal) of Periya Sheikh Nayagam. Everyone is kindly requested to make du‘a
(supplication) for its successful completion and widespread benefit...
 The sacred resting place (Rawla Shareef) of Qutbul Wujood,
Imamul Awraeen, Shamsul Ulama, Periya Sheikh
Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah
(Raliyallahu Ta’ala Anhu) — as seen in this photo.

A Photograph of the Blessed Aroosia Maqam in Keelakkarai This sacred site contains the Rawla
Shareef (Maqam Mubarak) of Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah
(RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu), along with the noble tombs of his illustrious forefathers and his blessed son,
Shaikh Nayagam Dr. Thaika Shuaib Alim Waliyullah
(RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu) — all of whom are revered spiritual luminaries of the Aroosiyah tradition.
 This is a photograph of Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim
Waliyullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu). It was taken in 1967 during a special event held in
Ramanathapuram, where he was honoured for his remarkable service to the people and his
contributions to the community.

These are the blessed caps and turbans worn by Periya Sheikh
Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta’ala Anhu).
The rope used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam for support
while standing in prayer — still safely preserved.

The money pouch that Periya Sheikh

Nayagam used to keep his money — pictured here
 This is the letter opener used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir
Aalim Waliyullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu) to open the letters and documents
brought to him. One of his most beautiful qualities was his humility and unwavering dedication
to knowledge and guidance. Whether it was a child, a youth, or an elder who
approached him with a book or written work for correction—even during his busiest
moments—he would receive them all with the same grace and respect.
Regardless of age, be it a student his son’s age or even the age of his
grandchild, he would read attentively, offer thoughtful corrections, and provide sincere,
encouraging feedback — always with gentleness and wisdom.

Displayed here are a few lines in the blessed

handwriting of Periya Sheikh Nayagam (Radiyallahu Ta’ala Anhu).
 This is the small container used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed
Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliullah (Raliyallahu tala anhu) to store salt.

This slipper was a gift presented to Periya Sheikh Nayagam.

It is called Methiyadi. In the olden days, Methiyadi slippers
were worn by leaders, scholars, and individuals held in high
esteem by the public. The photo shown here features the Methiyadi slipper that
was respectfully gifted to Periya Sheikh Nayagam by the people of his time."
 The Umbrella Used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam
Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim Waliyullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu)

The mat used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam

(Radiyallahu Ta’ala Anhu) for sleeping and sitting.
 At the time of the passing of Periya Sheikh Nayagam, there was only a single
coin left in the money pouch where he kept his wealth. This is that very coin."

These are the Spectacles Used by Periya Sheikh Nayagam Thaika Ahmed Abdul Qadir Aalim
Waliyullah (RadyAllahu Ta‘ala ‘Anhu) These spectacles were not ordinary — they
had a deep tint that blurred the clarity of those seen through them.
Periya Sheikh Nayagam would wear them especially when going outside or receiving visitors.
As a Mufti and respected community leader, he was often approached by many people, including
non-Mahram women. Out of his innate piety, deep etiquette (adab), and compassion for the people,
he chose to wear these tinted spectacles to avoid causing discomfort or
embarrassment to anyone through direct or intense eye contact. This was a subtle yet
profound expression of his humility, modesty, and spiritual s
ensitivity — always putting others’ feelings before his own ease.
 "This is the very book in which Periya Sheikh Nayagam recorded the Zakat he used to give.
In general, it is not obligatory to write down Zakat in a book. However, those with spiritual precision
were extremely meticulous even in matters of Zakat. They would document every
Zakat payment in order to review: Did I give it to the rightful recipients?
Did I correctly calculate and pay it from my wealth? Did the Zakat reach all
those to whom I was obligated to give? One of the unique qualities of Periya Sheikh Nayagam
was that if someone who had already received Zakat once came
again asking for it, and if he had the means, he would still give them Zakat again."
 O Noblest of the Qutbs, Strong-willed of
those who preach the Religion!
Bestow on us the secrets of the Gnosis of Allah!
Aid us in all states, for the sake of your noble son,
[Shaikh Nayagam] Thaika Shu‘aib Alim Waliullah!
O [Periya Shaikh Nayagam]
Thaika Ahmad Abdul Qadir Alim of Kilakkarai!