Hussain Salahuddin (Dhivehi:ހުސެއިންސަލާހުއްދީން;14 April 1881 –20 September 1948),[1][2] was an influential Maldivian writer,poet,essayist and scholar.[3]
Salahuddin was one of the most prolific writers of early modern Maldivian literature at a time named 'Era of Crawling' (Dhivehi:ޅަފަތުގެދައުރު,romanized:Lhafathuge Dhauru),and contributed to Maldivian literature.[3]
Lifetime and career
Hussain Salahuddin was born on 14 April 1881.[2] He signed his writings as Salahuddin Hussein bin Moosa al-Mahli (Arabic:صلاحالدينحسينبنموسىالمحلى),meaning "Salahuddin Hussain,son of Moosa from Malé". He obtained his education on the island of Meedhoo. His master was Al-Allam al-Shaikh al-Hafiz Ibrahim Thakurufaan (Aisaabeegedaru Dhon Beyyaa). He subsequently studied under al-Shaikh Muhamed Jamaluddin Naib Thutthu. He is recognised for his contributions to Maldivian literature,including the translation of various books written in Arabic,Urdu and Persian into Dhivehi.[4]
He also served in various key positions in the Maldivian government. He became the Attorney General of the Maldives at the young age of 18.[5][6] He also served as the Chief Justice of the Maldives for a long time.[5] Among the other positions that he assumed were the posts of Secretary and Prime Minister for the Majlis.
He served as the founder and principal of Majeediyya School in Malé,the first institution of formal education in the Maldives.[7] Majeediyya School was started on the front veranda of Bageechaage,Salahuddin's residence.[8]
Books that he wrote include:The Story of Dhon Beefaan;The Story of Thakurufaan the Great;Shaikh Zubair, an interpretation of the works of two great Maldivian poets;Nu'umaan and Mariyam;two anthologies of poetry titled Morning Star I and II;and his most famous work,The Biography of Prophet Muhammad,in which he translated and combined various Arabic books about Muhammad into Dhivehi.[9]
On 3 September 2024,President Mohamed Muizzu awarded Hussain Salahuddin the Highest Honour for Service to Maldivian Nationhood.[10][11][12]
Death
Hussain Salahuddin died on 20 September 1948. He was buried in Colombo,Sri Lanka.[1]
Children
Hussain Salaahuddin's children were all writers,poets and speakers who filled various high positions in the government of Maldives.
↑ Sadiq, Abdullah. "Dhon Hiyala and Ali Fulhu"(PDF). Maldives Royal Family. Translated from Dhivehi to English by Fareesha Abdullah and Micheal O'Shea. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
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