Prepared by: Abdullah Saquafi al-Bilnuri
The eminent scholar and hadith expert, Shaykh Ismail (may Allah have mercy on him), was an unforgettable figure in the intellectual and spiritual life of scholars from both religious and cultural circles. His era marked a golden age in the history of Markaz University, for his lectures were storms of knowledge and his lessons treasures filled with pearls and corals — never monotonous nor tiring.
After each session, his students were like a rich fishing net full of precious catches. He was a firm pillar of Ahlal-Sunnah wal jamah , a vibrant market where knowledge, faith, jurisprudence, and ethics were exchanged. He was a strong defender of Islam against atheists, innovators, and deviant sects. His writings covered many fields — especially Sunni, fiqh of the Sunnah, and his famous work Sharah of Mishkat al-Masabih, a work sufficient on its own to introduce the scholarly rank of this great exegete and hadith master.
He began his authorship journey at Darussalam, where his first book “At-Tawheed: A Comprehensive Study” exposed with clarity the falseness of the Wahhabi concept of monotheism, restoring it to its original Qur’anic purity.
He and Shaykh Abu Bakr Ahmad (may Allah preserve him) were united — heart, body, and soul — in their unwavering belief in the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaʿah. Shaykh Ismail embodied the essential qualities of the true godly scholars (ʿulamaʾ rabbaniyyun), such as:
1. Sincerity to Allah — He sought no worldly gain or fame from his knowledge; his only aim was Allah’s pleasure and benefit for the Ummah.
2. Beneficial knowledge and practice — The rabbani scholar is not a mere transmitter but acts upon his knowledge. As the early scholars said: “A true scholar is one who fears Allah, even if his knowledge is little.”
Allah says:
> “Only those of His servants who truly fear Allah are the scholars.” (Fatir: 28)
3. Gradual teaching and nurturing — He taught people small matters before the great ones, as in the verse:
> “But be ye rabbaniyyun (godly scholars), because ye have taught the Book and studied it.” (Āl ʿImrān: 79)
4. Detachment from worldly life — He avoided chasing positions or fame, viewing the world only as a bridge to the hereafter.
5. Piety and mindfulness — He was cautious of doubtful matters and feared being tested by knowledge or reputation.
6. Gentleness and forbearance with students — He treated them with mercy and patience toward their questions and mistakes.
7. Truthfulness and firmness upon the truth — He feared no blame in the path of Allah and spoke truth even against himself.
8. Humility — The more knowledge he gained, the more humble he became.
9. Calling to Allah with wisdom and good counsel — He spread knowledge through kindness, not harshness or fruitless debates.
It is noteworthy that Muslims in Kerala began to know this distinguished scholar Nellikkuth Ismail Musliyar when Shamsul Ulama, the then General Secretary of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, appointed him as a professor at Darussalam.
Among his most remarkable qualities as a teacher was his ability to explain and clarify complex concepts with exceptional skill, surpassing many of his peers. His classes were living workshops of discussion and debate — students often remained with him afterward to analyze issues raised in class. He treated his students as brothers, not as subordinates.
After the lessons, he would often sit quietly in his room, reflecting. Whenever an idea struck him, he would jot it down on scraps of paper, then discuss it later with his students, welcoming their opinions. On several occasions, I had the privilege of recording these insights after compiling and organizing them.
He also served as Chief Editor of the newspaper Sunni Voice, where he wrote on diverse scholarly and social themes.
There was no intellectual or religious field in which Shaykh Ismail did not leave a distinct mark — he was an eloquent speaker, a masterful writer, an original thinker, a hadith scholar with vast knowledge, and an expert in comparative religion. His brilliance was unmatched. Yet, despite his profound learning, he remained a model of humility with his students. He would often joke,
saying
“I’m not very fortunate, but a little caution is always useful in this worldly life.”
He lived a simple and ascetic life, once saying with a smile:
> “I wish to own a hundred date palms in this world and a hundred righteous students in the hereafter.”
The Ummah lost, in this month of Rabiʿ al-Thani, an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.
May Allah elevate his rank, forgive his shortcomings, and grant him the bliss of al-Firdaws al-Aʿla.
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