[1] He was the author of a number of books on Islam and was reported to have contributed to the propagation of education among the Muslims of Malabar region.

A member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi during the period 1959–64, Moulavi was honoured by the academy with the distinguished fellowship in 1989.

C. N. Ahmad Moulavi was born in 1905 at Cheroor, a village in Eranad in Malappuram district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Nathankodan Assan Kutty and Azhuvath Khatheeja.

[2] Born in a family of poor financial means, he lost his father early and could have primary education for only three years after which he had to work in a farm for sustenance.

On his return to Kerala, he joined the Malappuram Training School as a religious instructor but resigned from the job in 1944 to start his own clothing business.