JANAB SEPILLAI ABDUL WAHAB SAHIB
JANAB SEPILLAI ABDUL WAHAB SAHIB – A VISIONARY LEADER AND A CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE OF GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN MELVISHARAM
Introduction
Janab Sepillai Abdul Wahab Sahib also known as B.S. Abdul Wahab was the son of Sepillai Abdul Kareem Sahib. The family name Sepillai is of Tamil origin and is believed to be a contraction of Sigappu Pillai, meaning "Red Child." (Refer to the facial appearance i. e. fairness) According to oral traditions, the family's origins trace back to Goa. Over a period of time, they gradually migrated southward along the western coast to Kerala, and then to Tirunelveli. In Kadaiyanallur also we have Sepillai family. It is to be noted that the first Muslim Minister of K.Kamaraj's (Chief Minister of Madras Presidency) cabinet Janab S.M. Abdul Majeed Sahib was from Sepillai family. He served as the minister for local administration from 1962-1963.
From Tirunelveli, a branch of the Sepillai family moved to Trichy, and subsequently, a group from this branch settled in Vellore. Eventually, a further migration led a section of the family to Melvisharam, where their descendants continue to live. Earlier, the relatives from Trichy used to visit Melvisharam during functions and marriages.
Early
Life and Business
Initially, Abdul Wahab Sahib, had a humble beginning and faced many difficulties. He was very obedient to parents especially, to his mother. He later ventured in to the leather trade. By Almighty Allah’s grace, his business flourished and became rich. He was a devout Muslim and a staunch adherent of the Deoband school of thought, known not only for his piety and generosity but also for his deep involvement in social service.
Champion
of Girls’ Education
Founder Madarsa-E-Niswan
Janab
Sepillai Abdul Wahab Sahib was one of the founders of Madarsa E Niswan and also
the President of its administrative body, the Anjuman E Ansaarul Islam (Estd.
1941). He dedicated his whole life for
the upliftment of this institution. He spent generously for the construction of
Madarsa and also created permanent source of income for its maintenance. The
curriculum for the Madarsa was framed by Hazrath Moulana Abu Sawood Sahib (Rah)
and the founder himself. He also insisted his family ladies especially his
daughter (Mother of Mufti Mohammed Abubakar Sahib DBM) who along with Muhatarma
Rameeza Bi Ustabi (Sister of Hazrath Allama Abu Sawood Sahib Rah.) used to monitor the girls’ studies at the Madarsa. Till
date there is an academic council which supervises the teaching learning
activities. This madarsa has been functioning successfully for the past 84
years with two more branches. Girls from outside Melvisharam also study here in
significant numbers.
Political
Career
He was a dedicated member of the Indian National Congress, had the opportunity to meet former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on multiple occasions and maintained close ties with Thiru K. Kamaraj Nadar, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
On 5th October, 1955, Shri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, visited Melvisharam along with his daughter, Shrimati Indira Priyadarshini. Nehru was accompanied by prominent Congressmen of the district and State. The Convoy halted at the Islamiah High School entrance. Members of MMES led by Janab S. Abdul Wahab Saheb and Janab S.M.Abdul Jameel Saheb garlanded the Prime Minister.
Abdul Wahab Sahib played a pivotal
role in promoting education especially, in rural areas, by helping to establish
schools in villages like Timiri, Kalavai and nearby regions. He funded many
needy students to pursue their Madarsa and Secular education. As a member of
Anjuman E Tarqiye Urdu, worked for the promotion of Urdu language in this
region.
In the 1950s, he founded Madarsa-e-Qasimul Uloom for boys at Anna Salai, adjacent to
S. Haji Meera Sahib Street (also known as Niswan Street) Melvisharam. The
renowned Islamic scholar Hazrath Moulana Abdus Samad Hashmi Sahib (Former
Arabic teacher at Islamiah Boys High School) served as a teacher at Qasimul
Uloom.
Publication
of ‘Vaseela E Najath’
In addition to his educational efforts, Abdul Wahab Sahib also contributed to Islamic literature. He published a book titled Vasila-e-Najat (Means of Salvation), which was compiled by Hazrath Moulana Khateeb Abdul Jameel Sahib (Rah) of Vaniyambadi at his request. The book advocates adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah while strongly denouncing bid’ah (religious innovations), superstitions, and unfounded practices prevalent in the Muslim community.
The book Vasila E Najat (Means of Salvation) was released on the occasion of the marriage of his youngest daughter (wife of
Janab Polur Gulzar Ahmed Sahib). On the same day, the weddings of eight poor
girls were also solemnized at the expense of Abdul Wahab Sahib. Each of them
was provided with a full set of household items. In a remarkable gesture of
equality, he gave his own daughter exactly the same set without adding a single
extra item. All these marriages were conducted in a simple way as per sunnah
without any lavishness. He advocated people to make marriages simple and avoid
extravagance. In those days (80 years ago), it was a difficult task, family
sources say that people made fun of him. But Abdul Wahab Sahib practiced what
he preached. He conducted many mass marriages and set an example to others to
follow. Even today, elders remember these marriages as Jamath Shaadi or
Tableegh Shaadi.
His
Respect for Ulama
During early 1940s, the Tabligh Movement was
introduced in Melvisharam, he extended whole-hearted support to the Jamath activities.
He would insist his own sons to take part in the works of Tablighi Jamath. He had a great regard for
Ulama. Abdul Wahab Sahib held Hazrat Moulana Mohammed Ibrahim Sahib Bilinchpuri
(Rahmatullah Alaih), in high esteem. He was also his neighbour, this close
association nurtured in him a strong affinity towards the Deobandi school of
thought. He also had a good rapport with Amani Hazrath (Rah.) and Allama Abu
Sawood Sahib (Rah).
In
1957, when Hazrath Moulana Hussain Ahmed Madani (Rah) came to Melvisharam, he
visited Abdul Wahab Sahib’s house. Similarly, Hazrath Moulana Qari Mohammed
Thyub Sahib (Rah) had delivered a speech for ladies at his house and they also
took oath (bait) from Qari Sahib.
His Role in other Organisations
Abdul Wahab Sahib also
served as the Vice- President (1944-1961) of Melvisharam Muslim Educational
Society (MMES) until his death and an active member of Anjuman E Falah E
Millath (familiar as Millath Anjuman). He played a pivotal role in the
establishment of Millath Co-operative Society and the Millath Hospital at
Melvisharam. He donated 11 acres of land to establish Cooperative society at
Vellore. He was also the founder president of North Arcot District Co-operative
Society, Vellore.
He was the founder
President of South India Tanners and Dealers Association (SITDA) from 1944 to
1948 at Walajapet. An organisation of tanners and exporters of Ranipet district
which looks after the steady functioning of the leather sector in this region. He
also played a key role in the establishment of Indian Leather Federation nearby
Kathiyawadi Junction in 1951. He had also served as the auditor of the Madarsa
E Baqiyathus Salihath until his death. He owned large number of agricultural
fields and gardens at Uppupettai near Arcot and family members still recall
their trips to these gardens.
A Philanthropist
Passes Away
He passed away on 2nd October, 1961. A large number of people came to offer his Janaza prayer. During his lifetime, he had told his family to bury him at a place far from the entrance of the Qabarastan in our big mosque. In those days, the town was not very crowded, and many people would ask the Jamath for graves near the entrance. But Abdul Wahab Sahib lived in modesty and also wanted to be buried at an unnoticed place, without drawing attention.
He resided at Sakvai Abdur Rahman Sahib Street, officially registered by that name but more commonly known as S.R. Street. Though this is its official name, it is not widely used. Over the years, the street has come to be popularly referred to as B.S. Street (also known as B.S. Galli in Urdu and B.S. Theru in Tamil ) named in honour of B.S. Abdul Wahab. The initials "B.S." stand for Bala Subramani, who partnered with Abdul Wahab Sahib in the leather trade. Together, they established the firm B.S. Abdul Wahab & Company, which was jointly owned by both of them. It later became known simply as B.S. Abdul Wahab. In Hayat E Vali, Moulana Hafiz Malak Mohammed Gulzar Sahib (DBM) writes: “Abdul Wahab Sahib himself was known by his partner’s initial."
In those days he would be addressed as "B. S. Sonnaru" and "B.S. Varraru". ”
Abdul Wahab Sahib worked for religious harmony
in the town and its surroundings.
May Allah with His infinite Mercy forgive his sins and elevate his position in Heaven. May Allah also give toufeeque to take lessons from the life of our elders. Aameen
Books like Aayina E Vaniyambadi by Hazrath Moulana Khateeb Abdul Jameel Sahib, Vasila E Najat, MMES centenary Souvenir, Visharam Mein Urdu by Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Baqwi Sahib, Hayath Vali published from Madarsa E Madinul Uloom, Vaniyambadi were resourceful in compiling this valuable article. I thank Janab Hasanpura Akbar Ali Sahib, Janab S. Abdul Jameel Sahib, Hazrath Moulana Mufti Hafiz Puttu Mohammed Abubakar Sahib (DBM), Hazrath Moulana Hafiz Malak Gulzar Ahmed Sahib (DBM) Janab Cafiyar Mohammed Zafrullah Sahib (Secretary, SITDA), Janab Alanji Kuppam Ibrahim Khaleelullah Sahib (Former Vice-President, Melvisharam Municipality) for sharing valuable details about Abdul Wahab Sahib (Rah). May Allah accept this humble effort to preserve the services of our elders and may it inspire the present and future generations for the good cause. Aameen
If someone knows more information about Abdul Wahab Sahib, please share me via mdsadath19922@gmail.com
SAKVAI MOHAMMED
SADATHULLAH
28th September, 2025
Melvisharam
Truly inspiring to read about such a brave and simple leader from my birthplace. A role model for generations to come.
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