Arusiyyah Madrasah


Madrasatu l-‘Arūsiyyah is an Islamic educational institution located in Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1082 AH, it is one of the oldest centres of Arabic and Islamic studies in South India. The madrasah or seminary was founded by Ṣadaqatullāh b. Sulaimān al-Qāhirī aṣ-Ṣiddiqī, a Muslim scholar and saint from the Arwi region.
Known as Mādiḥu r-Rasūl, it is called Appā by Tamil-speaking Muslims in Tamil Nadu. The institution is located in Kilakarai, a coastal town recognized as an Islamic centre in the region.

History

The success of this approach attracted the attention of Nawāb Ghulām Ghawth Khān Wālājah V, ruler of the South Indian port city of Madras. Following a visit to the seminary, the Nawāb adopted a similar model when founding Madrasa-e-Azam, an Arabic college in Madras.

Extensions

The seminary was renovated in 1220 AH by Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qādir al-Kirkari, who is known by the epithet Taikā Ṣāḥib al-Kirkarī and Kīlakkarai Taikā Ṣāḥib.
When Shaikh Sayyid Muḥammad, known by the epithets Imāmu l-‘Arūs in Arabic and Māppillai Lebbai ‘Ālim, inherited the seminary from his father-in-law, Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qādir al-Kirkari, he renovated the library and amassed a wide collection of manuscripts.

Famous alumni

Many distinguished scholars and spiritual guides have studied and graduated from the seminary. Some of these eminent personalities include:Kunaggudi Mastān Ṣāḥib Sulṭān ‘Abd al-Qādir Shakhuna Pulavar ‘Abd al-Qādir Nainā Ammāpattinam Yūsuf Imāmu l-‘Arūs Sayyid Muḥammad Colombo ‘Alim Ṣāḥib Sayyid Muḥammad