https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=C._N._Ahmad_MoulaviC. N. Ahmad Moulavi - Revision history2026-08-01T12:25:55ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=C._N._Ahmad_Moulavi&diff=492671&oldid=prevChloeBrogan at 15:09, 19 April 20262026-04-19T15:09:10Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian writer}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = C. N. Ahmad Moulavi<br />
| image = CN Ahmad Moulavi.jpg<br />
| imagesize = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_date = {{Birth year|1905}}<br />
| birth_place = Cheroor, [[Eranad]], [[Malappuram district]], British India<br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1993|4|27|1905|1|1}}<br />
| death_place = [[Kozhikode]], Kerala<br />
| restingplace =<br />
| restingplacecoordinates =<br />
| othername =<br />
| occupation = Essayist, translator, educationist, social reformer<br />
| alma mater = <br />
| spouse = <br />
| domesticpartner = <br />
| children = <br />
| parents = {{ublist|Assan Kutty (father)|Khatheeja (mother)}}<br />
| website = <br />
| awards = 1989&nbsp;[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship]]<br />
}}<br />
'''C. N. Ahmad Moulavi''' (1905 – 1993) was an Indian writer of [[Malayalam literature]], best known as the translator of the first complete publication of [[Quran]] in [[Malayalam]].<ref name="Osella">{{cite journal |last1=Filippo Osella & Caroline Osella |title=Islamism and Social Reform in Kerala, South India |journal=Modern Asian Studies |year=2008 |volume=42 |issue=2/3 |page=327 |jstor=20488022}}</ref> He was the author of a number of books on [[Islam]] and was reported to have contributed to the propagation of education among the Muslims of [[Malabar region]]. A member of the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] during the period 1959–64, Moulavi was honoured by the academy with the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship|distinguished fellowship]] in 1989.<br />
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== Biography ==<br />
[[File:Tomb of A'la Hadrat Shah Abdul Wahhab.jpg|right|thumb|Baqiyat Salihat Arabic College]]<br />
C. N. Ahmad Moulavi was born in 1905 at Cheroor, a village in [[Eranad]] in [[Malappuram district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Nathankodan Assan Kutty and Azhuvath Khatheeja.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAMaulavigraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-04-05 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406113421/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAMaulavigraphy.htm |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Born in a family of poor financial means, he lost his father early and could have primary education for only three years after which he had to work in a farm for sustenance.<ref name="Miller2015">{{cite book|author=Roland E. Miller|title=Mappila Muslim Culture: How a Historic Muslim Community in India Has Blended Tradition and Modernity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjSzCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA236|date=27 April 2015|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-1-4384-5602-7|pages=236–}}</ref> At the age of sixteen, he went back to studies, first at [[Karuvarakundu]] Grand Dars of Kunjalam Musaliar and later under Kattukandan Kunjahmed Musaliar.<ref name="Datta1987">{{cite book|author=Amaresh Datta|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&pg=PA106|year=1987|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1803-1|pages=106–}}</ref> This was followed by a short stints at the Madras Jamalia Arabic College and Bombay where he studied under K. T. Ibrahim Moulavi, only to proceed to [[Baqiyat Salihat Arabic College]], Vellore in 1928 from where he passed ''Afsal Ul Ulama'' examination in 1931. On his return to Kerala, he joined the Malappuram Training School as a religious instructor but resigned from the job in 1944 to start his own clothing business.<ref name="Miller2015" /><br />
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Moulavi started a magazine by name, ''Ansari'' which became defunct after publishing 14 issues; though he restarted the magazine under a new name, ''New Ansari'' in 1955, the publication did not last long.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> When the ''East Eranad Education Society'' was formed in 1964, Moulavi became the founder president of the society; the society, which started [[Dr. Gafoor Memorial MES Mampad College]] in 1965, was handed over the [[Muslim Educational Society]] (MES) in 1967.<ref name="MES Mampad College">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mesmampad.org |title=MES Mampad College |date=2019-04-06 |website=mesmampad.org |access-date=2019-04-06 |archive-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726135139/http://www.mesmampad.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />
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Maulavi died on 27 April 1993, at the age of 88, at [[Kozhikode]].<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /><br />
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== Legacy and honours ==<br />
Maulavi published twelve books on Islamic studies, including a reportedly controversial book, ''Islamile Dhanavitharanapadhathi'' (Distribution of Wealth in Islam Tradition).<ref name="List of works">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAbdulmaulavibooks.htm |title=List of works |date=2019-04-05 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406074525/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAbdulmaulavibooks.htm |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was the first to publish a complete translation of the [[Quran]] into Malayalam<ref name="Kupferschmidt1987">{{cite book|author=Uri M. Kupferschmidt|title=The Supreme Muslim Council: Islam Under the British Mandate for Palestine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChEVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA462|year=1987|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-07929-7|pages=462–}}</ref> which he published in 1963,<ref name="C N Ahmed Maulavi: The Malayali Pioneer in Quran Translation">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pcGd0FKHc0 |title=C N Ahmed Maulavi: The Malayali Pioneer in Quran Translation |last=MediaoneTV Live |website=[[YouTube]] |date=2014-07-03 |access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> at a time when translation of Quran was considered a blasphemy.<ref name="Miller2015" /> He wrote on many contentious issues such as divorce and maintenance among Muslims<ref name="Engineer2008">{{cite book|author=Asgharali Engineer|title=The Rights of Women in Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3uB_umOEbwC&pg=PA169|year=2008|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-81-207-3933-8|pages=169–}}</ref> and his book, ''Mahathaya Mappila Sahitya Paramparyam'' (The glorious Mappila Literary Heritage)<ref name="Mahathaya Mappila Sahitya Paramparyam">{{Cite web |url=https://kithabi.com/books/mahathaya-mappila-sahitya-paramparyam-%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%B9%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AF-%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B3-%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B9/ |title=Mahathaya Mappila Sahitya Paramparyam |date=2019-04-06 |website=kithabi.com |access-date=2019-04-06 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717095400/http://kithabi.com/books/mahathaya-mappila-sahitya-paramparyam-%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%B9%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AF-%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B3-%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B9/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a comprehensive work on the Muslim literature in Kerala<ref name="Datta1987" /><ref name="Mohammed2007">{{cite book|author=U. Mohammed|title=Educational Empowerment of Kerala Muslims: A Socio-historical Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PCBdogPnnqsC&pg=PA30|year=2007|publisher=Other Books|isbn=978-81-903887-3-3|pages=30–}}</ref> with details about the contribution of Muslims in the development of Arabic-Malayalam literature.<ref name="Contribution of Muslims in the Development of Malayalam Language and Literature">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ummid.com/news/2011/March/16.03.2011/contribution_of_muslims_fr_malayalam_lang.htm |title=Contribution of Muslims in the Development of Malayalam Language and Literature |website=www.ummid.com |access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> He served as a member of the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] for five years from 1959 to 1964. In 1989, he was inducted as a [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship|distinguished fellow]] by the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi|academy]].<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |date=2019-04-06 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331092627/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His birth centenary was celebrated in Kozhikode in 2005 and an exhibition of all his writings were organized as a part of it.<ref name="The Hindu : Kerala News : In remembrance">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/26/stories/2005122610910300.htm |website=[[The Hindu]] |title=Kerala News : In remembrance |date=2005-12-26 |access-date=2019-04-06}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><br />
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== Bibliography ==<br />
{{Div col}}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://catalogue.mappilaheritagelibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1211&query_desc=au%253AC.N.%2520Ahmed%2520Moulavi |title=Parishudha Qur'an: Paribhashayum Vyakhyanavum Volume-1 |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |date=1953 |publisher=Abdul Majeed Marikar |edition=1 |location=Perumbavoor }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://103.251.43.202:8080/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=6830 |title=Parishudha Qur'an: Paribhashayum Vyakhyanavum Volume-2 |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi}}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://catalogue.mappilaheritagelibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1210&query_desc=au%253AC.N.%2520Ahmed%2520Moulavi |title=Parishudha Qur'an: Paribhashayum Vyakhyanavum Volume-3 |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://catalogue.mappilaheritagelibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1654&query_desc=au%253AC.N.%2520Ahmed%2520Moulavi |title=Islamika Sampathika Shasthram |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |date=1954 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://catalogue.mappilaheritagelibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1673&query_desc=au%253AC.N.%2520Ahmed%2520Moulavi |title=Qur'an: Enthu ? Enthinu ? |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |date=1957 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=http://catalogue.mappilaheritagelibrary.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1702&query_desc=au%253AC.N.%2520Ahmed%2520Moulavi |title=Qur'an Krodeekaranam, Mansookh, Erinhukollal: Moonnu Vambicha Thettidharanakal |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |publisher=C.N. Ahmed Moulavi |edition=1 |location=Chevayur, Kozhikode }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />
* {{Cite book |url=https://find.uoc.ac.in/Record/169772/Description |title=Mahathaya Mappila Sahitya Parampariam |last1=C.N |first1=Ahmmed Moulavi |last2=K.K. |first2=Muhammed Abdulkareem |date=1978}}<ref name="OPS123">{{cite book |last1=Salahudheen, O P |title=Anti_European struggle by the mappilas of Malabar 1498_1921 AD |page=123 |url=https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/52423/12/12_chapter%204.pdf#page=22 |accessdate=14 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="MB264">{{cite book |last1=Mumtas Begum A.L. |title=Muslim women in Malabar Study in social and cultural change |page=264 |url=https://sg.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/19904/13/13_select%20bibliography.pdf#page=6 |accessdate=11 November 2019}}</ref>)<br />
* {{Cite book |title=Manuṣhya Jeevithaṃ Anaśvaraṃ |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |date=1983 |publisher=Azad Book Stall |location=Calicut |language=Malayalam |oclc=17149726}}<br />
* {{Cite book |title=Islāṃ charitr̲aṃ |last=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi |date=1971 |publisher=Ansāri Press |location=Calicut |language=Malayalam |oclc=30629062}}<br />
{{div col end}}<br />
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=== Translations into other languages ===<br />
* {{cite book|author=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi|title=Religion of Islam: A Comprehensive Study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZBVYNAAACAAJ|year=1979|publisher=Azad Book Stall}}<br />
* {{cite book|author=C. N. Ahmed Moulavi|title=Principles and practice of Islamic Economy|url=http://103.251.43.202:8080/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=86544|year=1964|publisher=Ansari press}}<br />
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== See also ==<br />
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}<br />
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors by category]]<br />
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]<br />
{{div col end}}<br />
{{Portal|India|Literature}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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== Further reading ==<br />
* {{Cite web |url=http://muslimheritage.in/innermore/138 |title=History Conference |last=VM.Safir |website=muslimheritage.in |access-date=2019-04-06}}<br />
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2017/oct/22/who-decides-halal-and-haraam-malayalam-actor-mamukkoya-slams-growing-intolerance-1679893.html |title=Who decides Halal and Haraam? Malayalam actor Mamukkoya slams growing intolerance |website=The New Indian Express |date=22 October 2017 |access-date=2019-04-06}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAhmedmaulavi.htm |title=Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi |date=2019-04-05 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406063156/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/CNAhmedMaulavi/Html/CNAhmedmaulavi.htm |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}<br />
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/CNAMaulavi/CNAhmedMaulavi.htm |title=Conferring Fellowship |date=2019-04-06 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406071936/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/CNAMaulavi/CNAhmedMaulavi.htm |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}<br />
* {{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorldEtcGibbKramerScholars.13 |title=Encyclopaedia Dictionary Islam Muslim World, etc, Gibb, Kramer, scholars. 13 vols & 12 vols. 1960-2004.1875.2009. |last=Oriental Scholars: Gibb |first=Kramer |date=2019-04-06 |access-date=2019-04-06}}<br />
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/108473688/Maasappiravi-From-Samagra-Padanam-book-CN-Ahmed-Moulavi |title=Maasappiravi - From Samagra Padanam book - CN Ahmed Moulavi |website=Scribd |language=en |access-date=2019-04-06}}<br />
* {{Cite web |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Search/Home?lookfor=%2522Ahmad%2520Maulavi,%2520Si.%2520En.%2522&type=author&inst= |title=Catalog Search Results - HathiTrust Digital Library |website=catalog.hathitrust.org |access-date=2019-04-06}}<br />
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{{Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Moulavi, C. N. Ahmad}}<br />
[[Category:1905 births]]<br />
[[Category:1993 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian translators]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Islamists]]<br />
[[Category:Writers from Malappuram district]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]</div>ChloeBrogan