Maulana Sayyed Abbas Hussain Al-Baqri
Maulana Sayyed Abbas Hussain Al-Baqri, whose lineage is traced to the 5th Imam, Hadhrat Mohammed Baqir (a), was a renowned Islamic scholar in South India during the 20th century. He is honored with the title Thiqatul Islam (Trustee of Islam) for his unparalleled spiritual contributions throughout the State of Karnataka.

Birth and Early Life
Blessed is the day (25 Shawal 1311 Hijri) when a child was born to Maulana Asadullah Al-Baqri and Mohtarama Khamarunnisa Saheba as their first offspring in Alipur. He was named Abbas Hussain in memory of the two valiant brothers of Karbala, Hadhrat Abbas (a) and Imam Hussain (a).

Maulana Abbas Hussain’s father, Maulana Asadullah Al-Baqri, originally hailed from Hyderabad (Deccan). In the 1850s, an eminent scholar from Hyderabad, Sadr-ul-Ulema Allama Ghulam Hussain Al-Baqri, visited Alipur upon invitation. Realizing the lack of Islamic knowledge in the town, he decided to send his promising nephew, Maulana Asadullah Al-Baqri, to Alipur to address this need.

Embracing this new assignment as a noble duty, Maulana Asadullah Al-Baqri moved to Alipur, where he made significant contributions to the community. He initiated the foundation and expansion of the Masjid and Ashoorkhana and worked to eradicate un-Islamic practices (rasm, rewaj, reeti) in Alipur, especially during Muharram, Ayyame Aza, and weddings. His travels across the State of Mysore for the propagation of Islam (Tableegh) were noteworthy. Tragically, during one of his visits to Mysore, this tireless preacher passed away from the flu at a young age of 36, leaving behind three young sons and a toddler daughter. His eldest son, Maulana Abbas Hussain, was only 9 years old at the time.

Education and Scholarly Contributions
With the support of his maternal uncle, Zaman Ali, Maulana Abbas Hussain took on the responsibility of his family. His uncle encouraged him to follow in his late father’s footsteps and promised his assistance. Maulana Abbas Hussain dedicated himself to his studies, completing his elementary education and earning his LS from Gowribidnur.

To fulfill his dreams and the aspirations of his family, Maulana Abbas Hussain moved to Hyderabad, where he immersed himself in Islamic studies under the guidance of Sadr-ul-Ulema Allama Ghulam Hussain. After years of rigorous training, he completed his Islamic education, mastered Persian and Arabic, and returned to Alipur at the age of 22.

The prolonged absence of an Islamic preacher in Alipur had created a dire situation. Taking this as a challenge, he resolved to uphold his father’s vision by continuing to eradicate unfounded practices from society. His preaching extended beyond Alipur, covering the entire State of Karnataka, where he was a singular figure in Islamic scholarship at that time. A true one-man army, he traveled extensively despite limited resources, visiting nearby areas like Potenahalli, Doddabalapur, Karimpur, Tyamgondalo, as well as distant locations such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chanrayapatna, and Hole Narsipur, often contending with poor transportation and infrastructure.

Legacy and Impact
Maulana Abbas Hussain’s dedication spanned an impressive 80 years. He maintained good health and served as a Hakeem, treating many individuals with remedies prescribed in divine texts (Tibb-e-Ahlul Bayt (a)). Self-reliant, he supported his family of nine daughters and three sons through farming, introducing numerous agricultural techniques to optimize land use.

Thiqatul Islam undertook a pilgrimage to Karbala and Najaf, where he met many grand Ayatollahs of the time, including Imam Khomeini (ra). He was appointed as the wakil (representative) of Imam Khomeini (ra) for South India, with authorization to collect and distribute Khums for various projects.

Among his notable achievements are the establishment of Daruz Zahra (a), Anjumane Jafaria, and Shia Deeniyath, as well as his leadership of various organizations in Alipur. He initiated many Majalis, particularly the Makhsosi, a five-day mourning congregation commemorating the martyrdom of Hadhrat Fatima Zahra (a), the daughter of the Holy Prophet (saww). This observance has continued for 100 years (as of 2024) and draws thousands from across the country for commemoration and Ziyarah.

Maulana Abbas Hussain lived a remarkable 107 years, passing away on the 3rd of Shabaan 1418 (December 4, 1997), in the presence of his son, Maulana Zaki Baqri. According to his wishes, his mortal remains were laid to rest at the steps of Daruz Zahra (a). His departure left a profound void in the state, yet his legacy continues to inspire believers through his tireless preaching during challenging times.

In summary, Maulana Abbas Hussain was a pious scholar, preacher, initiator, mourner, trainer, reformer, mentor, builder, farmer, and pillar of the community. Rightfully titled Thiqatul Islam, he left behind a lasting legacy by training and mentoring numerous disciples in the state, particularly Maulana Mohammed Zaki Al Baqri Saheb Qibla. The enduring impact of Daruz Zahra (a), Makhsosi, and the cultural fabric of Alipur stand as testaments to his sacred services.