Hussain Salahuddin (Dhivehi: ހުސެއިން ސަލާހުއްދީން; April 14, 1881 – September 20, 1948),[1][2] was an influential Maldivian writer, poet, essayist and scholar.[3]

Hussain Salahuddin
Official portrait
Born(1881-04-14)April 14, 1881
DiedSeptember 20, 1948(1948-09-20) (aged 67)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Other namesSalahuddin Hussein bin Moosa al-Mahli (صلاح الدين حسين بن موسى المحلى),
Occupation(s)Scholar, linguist, poet, writer, essayist
WorksThe Story of Dhon Beefaan
Nu'umaan and Mariyam
Biography of Prophet Muhammad
Biography of Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam
Spouse(s)Dhon Didi
Sanfa Manike
Medhuganduvaru Thuththu Gomaa
ChildrenChildren of Dhon Didi:
Hawwa Saeed
Khadheeja Saeed
Children of Sanfa Manike:
Aishath
Mohamed Saeed
Children of Medhuganduvaru Thuththu Gomaa:
Adnan Hussain
Fathimath Saeed
Ibrahim Shihab
Maryam Saeed

Salahuddin was one of the most prolific writers of early modern Maldivian literature at a time named 'Era of Crawling' (Dhivehi: ޅަފަތުގެ ދައުރު, romanizedLhafathuge Dhauru), and contributed to Maldivian literature.[3]

Lifetime and career

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Hussain Salahuddin was born on April 14, 1881.[2] He signed his writings as Salahuddin Hussein bin Moosa al-Mahli (Arabic: صلاح الدين حسين بن موسى المحلى), 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 recognized 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]

Salahuddin served in the National Literary Committee established by the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Amin Didi.

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

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Hussain Salahuddin died on September 20, 1948. He was buried in Colombo, Sri Lanka.[1]

Children

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Hussain Salaahuddin's children were all writers, poets and speakers who filled various high positions in the government of Maldives.

Children of Dhon Didi:

  • Hawwa Saeed
  • Khadheeja Saeed

Children of Sanfa Manike:

  • Aishath
  • Mohamed Saeed[13]

Children of Medhuganduvaru Thuththu Gomaa:[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Hamdhoon, Mohamed (February 21, 2020). "ސަލާހުއްދީން ތުރުކުރެއްވި އަތަރުގެ މީރު ވަސް!". Mihaaru (in Divehi). Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Family Page: Salahuddin, Hussain". Feydhoo Roots. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Mariyam, Malsa (January 24, 2019). "Literature in the Sunny Side of Life". The Edition. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Zalif, Zunana (April 15, 2024). "President urges to prioritize the use of Dhivehi language". Raajje TV. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Hamdhoon, Mohamed (August 5, 2021). "ސަލާހުއްދީނަށް އަމީން ވެދުން ކުރެއްވި "ހަނދާނުގެ މާފަތި"" [Amin gives "memorial flower" to Salahuddin]. Adhadhu (in Divehi). Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Former Attorneys General". Attorney General's Office. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Zalif, Zunana (October 26, 2022). "Contributions of Majeediyya School continue to benefit the nation: Pres". Raajje TV. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "History". Majeediyya School. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Sadiq, Abdullah. "Dhon Hiyala and Ali Fulhu" (PDF). Maldives Royal Family. Translated from Dhivehi to English by Fareesha Abdullah and Micheal O'Shea. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "President Bestows Posthumously the Highest Honour for Service to Maldivian Nationhood on the Late Hussain Salahuddin". The President's Office. September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  11. ^ Solih, Aishath Shuba (September 3, 2024). "Late Hussain Salahuddin honoured with award for service to nationalism". The Edition. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "ދިވެހި ޤައުމިއްޔަތަށް ޚިދުމަތް ކުރުމުގެ އެންމެ މަތިވެރި ޝަރަފު - 2024". The President's Office (in Divehi). Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  13. ^ Jalyl, Raif Amyl (March 20, 2019). "Voices from the Majlis - 6 iconic lawmakers that made a mark". The Edition. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
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