10/01/1945 – 03/07/2005

B. Muhammad Musliyar, affectionately known as “Baitar Ustad,” entered the world on January 10, 1945, in the village of Harekala, situated along the banks of the Netravati River in Mangalore taluk. He was born as the second son to Abdul Khader and Fatima.

His educational journey commenced at a madrasa located under the Muhiyuddin Masjid in Baitar, where he received his primary education. Continuing his studies, he completed his 5th standard at the Harekala-Pavoor Senior Primary School. Concurrently, he embarked on a path of religious education, by an invitation from his uncle, Arabi Musliyar, who served as a Khatib in a mosque in Pera near Batte.

However, tragedy struck at a tender age when, while playing with his elder brother, Muhammad fell from a coconut tree, resulting in a severe injury that led to the loss of one of his hands. The lack of timely medical treatment compounded his suffering, and he endured the consequences for five to six consecutive years. At the age of 18, he received an artificial hand.

After transitioning from his uncle’s guidance, B. Muhammad Musliyar directly enrolled in Dars under Ullal Thangal. Subsequently, he pursued higher education at the Arabic College in Vellore, specializing in Maulana Fazil Baqiatussalihat (MFB). Concurrently, he commenced his teaching career as an assistant mudaris at the dars administered by Ullal Thangal. Despite his physical disability, he was proficient in Karma Shastra and became renowned for delivering sermons in various mosques across Dakshina Kannada district for extended periods, earning him the moniker “Oru Kaide Moytar” among the villagers. However, he eventually became more widely recognized as “Baitar Ustad.”

Baitar Ustad’s stature as a senior scholar soared as he served as a professor at the Dars Syed Madani Arabic College, which was established by Ullal Thangal. Despite primarily speaking Beary, he was effectively instructing students from Kerala in Arabic-Malayalam.

At the age of 30, he entered into matrimony with Aishamma, the daughter of Moidinabba from Kojapadi-Debbeli, Harekala. He relocated his residence from Baitar to Pavuru Harekala before settling in Madani Nagar of Munnuru village. His pilgrimage to Hajj in 1984 marked a significant spiritual milestone in his life. Upon his passing on July 3, 2005, Baitar Ustad left behind his wife, six sons, and four daughters, having dedicated four decades of his life to the noble service of educating thousands of scholars.