1949 – 2020

Among the religious scholars of the Beary community, one of the most renowned figures both nationally and internationally is Al Haj P M Ibrahim Musliyar, also known as Bekal Ustad. A distinguished scholar, he has earned numerous titles including Qazi and has been instrumental in organizing communities across hundreds of neighborhoods in North Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, and Malnad, bringing honor to the Kannada language itself.

Ibrahim Musliyar was born in 1949 to Muhammad and Khadijamma in Poodle village, located in the Naringana area of Bantwala taluk.

After completing his 7th standard education at Marikkala Juma Masjid near Montugoli and DJ Katte Government School near Naringa, Ibrahim Musliyar pursued religious education at various institutions. He studied in Kinya in Mangalore Taluk, Kumbol, and Alambadi in Kasaragod, as well as Ullal. Under the guidance of renowned scholars such as Nileswaram Abdul Qadir Musliyar, Alikunhi Musliyar Shiria, Alambadi Kunniabdullah Musliyar, and Ullal Tanghal, he earned his MFD degree from Deoband Arabic College in Uttar Pradesh after eleven years of study.

Entering his career in 1972, Ibrahim Musliyar served two years each at Surinje and Bantwal near Mangalore, before being appointed as a Mudaris at Bekala Juma Masjid in Kasaragod. He dedicated nearly four decades of his life to serving at Bekal Juma Masjid, earning him the title of “Bekal Ustad.”

Later, Ibrahim Musliyar was appointed as the Principal of the prestigious Jamia Saadia Arabic College in Kasaragod. Over the course of half a century, he conducted lectures and contributed to the education of thousands of scholars in various fields of theology, including Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, Astronomy, Linguistics, and Grammar.

Bekal Ustad possessed extensive knowledge of Karma Shastra, allowing him to provide accurate and competent guidance on Karmashastra for various critical situations and challenges. In 1997, he made history as the first Beary scholar to hold the esteemed position of Udupi District Qazi. Subsequently, he served as Qazi for two hundred mohallas across Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shimoga, Dakshina Kannada, and Kasaragod districts.

Recognizing his erudition, Ustad Bekal was granted membership in the All Kerala Jamiatul Ulama Central Mushavara, an association of top scholars from South India. He was also honored with the title of ‘Tajul Fukhaha’ (Crown of Great Scholars).

A captivating orator, Bekal Ustad was a prominent speaker in the “Waal” (nightly religious lectures) forums of Coastal and Kasaragod districts during the 1980s-2000s. He was proficient in Arabic, Malayalam, Kannada, Beary, Tulu, and Urdu.

Bekal Ustad was also deeply committed to social reform. He staunchly opposed dowry, superstitions, and injustices, and voiced his opposition against government policies such as the Citizenship Act and the Bekala Tourism Scheme. He consistently advocated for communal harmony throughout his life.

Bekal Ustad is also lauded for his efforts in uniting the Umrah-Ulama class under a single platform, recognizing the need for cohesion among them. He emphasized that the service of ulama, or religious scholars, should extend beyond traditional roles such as madrasa education, imamat, and conducting religious ceremonies. He advocated for social-oriented services, including providing religious education to adults in every mohalla and implementing local dispute resolution mechanisms.

In addition to his religious leadership, Bekal Ustad played a significant role in various organizational capacities. He served as the state president of the Sunni Ulama Union, director of the Karnataka Muslim Jamaat, and principal of Jamia Saadia Arabia Shariat College and Bekala Imhadiya Arabic College. He also mentored organizations like SESSEF and SYS and held positions in several other community organizations and mohallas.

For nearly four decades, Bekal Ustad served as the president of Marikkala Juma Masjid, Tannura, and held the position of Editor-in-Chief at Al-Ansar, a prominent Kannada Muslim weekly. He resided in Montugoli, Kairangala village of Bantwala taluk, with his wife Asia Hajima, three sons, and two daughters.