FROM HEALER TO EDUCATIONAL PIONEER: DR. U. BAPPUTTY HAJI
Dr. U. Bapputty Haji, founder of Darul Huda Islamic University, revolutionized Islamic education in Kerala through visionary leadership, social reform, and community service.
Some lives illuminate not only their own time but generations to come. Among such remarkable figures, Dr. U. Bapputty Haji stands as a powerful testament to visionary leadership, selfless community service, and profound dedication to education. As the founding general secretary of Darul Huda Islamic University, his contributions reshaped the educational landscape for the Muslim community in Kerala. He served as a bridge between faith and modernity, tradition and progress. His journey reveals a remarkable trajectory from a traditional healer to the architect of a globally aspiring Islamic institution.
His Early Life
Born in 1929 to Kunjaalam Kutti Vaidar and Puthukkuti Kunchi Kadiumma, his real name was Kunjavaran Kutti. His life was a deliberate blend of contemporary education and religious studies. His early schooling took place at Nilimaungal A.M.L.P. School and Tirurangadi A.U.P. School, where he demonstrated both academic promise and leadership qualities that distinguished him from his peers. His pursuit of religious knowledge continued at Tirurangadi Noorul Islam Madrasa, Parappil Madrasathul Muhammadiyyah, and the Tirurangadi Orphanage, where his spiritual and moral foundation took shape.
In a period when society was scattered and the spirit of Muslims was shattered, the Almighty would send reformers (mujaddids) to nurture the community, such as Imam Ghazzali (R) and Imam Shafi (R). In the same lineage of reformers, M.M. Basheer Musliyar became a key figure in the 20th century. He completed his primary studies under his father Valiya Ahmed Kutty and joined Cherur Government U.P. School, Vengara U.P. School, and later the Kozhikode J.D.J. Islamic School. After completing his dars under Kottumal Usthad, he pursued further studies at Baqiyath and returned to Kerala with a passion for knowledge and a dedication to mosques, madrasas, and welfare initiatives in his hometown of Tirurangadi.
The Birth of Darul Huda Islamic University
Dr. Bapputty Haji envisioned an institution that blended Islamic traditional scholarship with modern intellectual training—an educational model that would produce scholars capable of engaging with the contemporary world without compromising religious integrity. This vision became the seed for what would evolve into Darul Huda Islamic Academy.
The road to establishing the academy was not easy. Bapputty Haji, along with his close associates Chemmukkan Kunjappu Haji and K.M. Zaid Alawi Haji, dreamed of creating a new kind of educational institution that revived the classical “dars” system within a modern framework. Their initial efforts faced failure, but while others saw defeat, he saw opportunity. He realized that the project needed its own dedicated campus—a space where students could grow intellectually, spiritually, and morally.
During the search for land, they found a vast wasteland in the suburbs of Chemmad. While many viewed it as useless, Bapputty Haji saw immense potential. That barren land became the birthplace of Darul Huda Islamic Academy—an institution that would later expand its influence not only across Kerala but also throughout the Muslim world.
As the founding general secretary of Darul Huda Islamic Academy, Bapputty Haji served not only as an administrator but as a mentor and guide. He combined strategic vision with humility, ensuring that every decision was made with sincerity and service to Allah. Those who worked with him recall his strict discipline, gentle nature, and unwavering faith.
Dr. Bapputty Haji passed away on 22 July 2003 at his residence in Chemmad, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire countless individuals. His body was laid to rest on the Darul Huda campus. His life shows that great institutions are not built with bricks and cement alone, but with vision, sacrifice, and unshakeable faith. The land he transformed into Darul Huda Islamic University stands today as a testament to his belief that knowledge can flourish anywhere.
From his teenage years, Dr. Bapputty Haji was deeply involved in the social and religious upliftment of his community. He was not a man limited by his profession; rather, he saw himself as a servant of society. He played an important role in the Sunni Mahallu Federation (SMF) and became the founding president of Jama’ath Khidmath-ul-Islam, a vital platform managing various religious and welfare activities. His career as an Ayurvedic physician—shaped by formal training at Kottakal Ayurvedic College—gave him respect and credibility, but he believed that education was the true cure for the deeper ailments of ignorance, disunity, and stagnation.
His story inspires teachers, students, reformers, and community leaders who believe that education is the most powerful tool for serving humanity and God. His life teaches us that when one man’s vision aligns with divine purpose, the impact can transcend generations.