Islahi Movement in Kerala
Encyclopedia
The renaissance of the ancient Sunni Muslim community
in the Kerala state, South India
mostly owes to the rise of Salafi
ideas and scholars in the early 20th century, referred as Islahi movements of Kerala. Salafism is a puritanical and legalistic Islamic movement under the Sunni umbrella, and is the dominant form of Islam in Saudi Arabia
. This movement coincided with the renaissance movements in Hindu, Christian societies in Kerala
.
The main goals of the movement were standing against local priesthood dependency, provide proper education, remove the influence of Hinduism
and non-Islamic native cultures from
the Mappilas, one of the earliest Muslim population in Asia
. The members see their role as a movement to restore Islam from what they perceive to be innovations, superstitions, deviances, heresies and idolatries.
The initiation of delivering Friday sermons (jumu'a khutuba) in local language, Malayalam, was another step taken by the movement. The movement encouraged women's education and their attendance in mosques, published Malayalam translation of the Qur'an and other religious books and played an important role in the renaissance of Kerala society.
Salafism is in general opposed to Sufism
and Shi'a Islam
, which they regard as heresies.
had reached Malabar Coast
during the period of Muhammad
(ca.570–632) himself (probably by Malik ibn Dinar, a Tabi‘un). Arabian sea-traders who visited Kerala spread it, and they almost maintained a healthy trade relationship with both the local Hindu
people and the powerful Nair
kings of Malabar, the Zamorins. As trade and commerce between Kerala and Arabia flourished and many traders settled down in Kerala, and their interaction with the local population helped Islam taking its roots on the south-western Indian coast of Kerala. The local legends even tell the mysterious disappearance and conversion to Islam
by a Chera ruler which, however, is neither corroborated by any contemporary record.
Islahi movement introduced in Kerala during the early years of 20th century. . Women kept away from education, deceased Mappila priests were mostly considered as a middlemen to the God. No modern medicinal practices were in use, instead most of Mappilas consulted native "religious doctors". Even, Mujahid scholars accuse that the religious leaders lacked complete-awareness of Islam. Recitation of Qur'an was also considered for prosperity and curing diseases. Women were discouraged from acquiring any formal education.
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
, Shaykh Muhammad Maheen Hamadani Thangal, Vakkom Moulavi
were the main leaders of the renaissance in the Muslim community of Kerala. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
was a cleric, who tried to uproot the dreadful practices. Both Shaykh Muhammad Maheen, Hamadani Thangal and Vakkom Moulavi tried hard to provide education realising that the cause backwardness of Muslim community is absence of proper education. As a part of it, Hamadani Thangal formed an organisation based at Kodungallur
.
To highlight illiteracy in the community, Vakkom Moulavi
began to print newspapers, magazines and books. The newspaper Swadeshabhimani by Vakkom Moulavi
became a part of history of the entire region. But the newspaper was banned later. Then he began two more publications, calling for the education of Muslim children. He worked in many organisations like Travancore Muslim Mahasabha, Chirayinkil Taluk Muslim Samajam and the Muslim Aikya Sanghom (Muslim Unity Forum) of Kodungallur
. The community owes Vakkom Moulavi
for most of its early social and educational leaps.
Vakkom Abdul Qader, son of Vakkom Moulavi
, began his career as editor of the newspaper Al-Ameen. Then, he became the editor of the newspaper Moplah Review. As a leader, Vakkom Abdul Qader formed two organisations called Navayuga Samskarika Samiti at Varkala
and Iqbal Study Centre at Punalur
.
Organisations like Ma'unat ul-Islam Sabha at Ponnani
, Lajnat ul-Islam Sabha at Alappuzha
, and the Muslim Aikya Sanghom (Muslim Unity Forum) of Kodungallur
tried their best in improving educational and social status of the Muslims. Muslim Aikya Sanghom is the prototype of present day Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
(KNM).
An organisation called Muslim Educational Society
(MES) played an important role in the development of higher education in Malabar. A member of Muslim Educational Society
may or may not be a "mujahid" by the simple reason that Muslim Educational Society
is not a religious outfit.
The Islahi movement has created an organizational setup in Kerala in 1922 with the formation of Muslim Aikya Sanghom. But it was in 1924, following the establishment of a body of scholars called Kerala Jam'iyyathul Ulama (KJU), that the Islahi movement acquired an organizational setup and began functioning systematically in Kerala. Some of the Islahi scholars were also leaders of Indian independence movement. Sanaulla Makthi Thangal, K. M. Jamaluddin Moulavi and Vakkom Moulavi were some of the scholars who have worked towards this goal. Leaders like Mohammed Abdul rahiman Sahib, EK Moidu Moulavi and KM Seethi Sahib were said to have prompted every individual of the society to do their duty to their homeland (India) by participating in the Indian freedom struggle movement.
, the successor-outfit of Muslim Aikya Sanghom, the reformist movement of 1920s. It is important to note that the Islahi movement in Kerala is against terrorism
in all its forms.
reached Malabar as early as 7th century it had almost mixed with the culture and traditions of the people of Kerala. So, ultimately the renaissance in the Muslim community resulted in the division of Muslims as "Sunnis" (more orthodox sect than the other) and "Salafi
s" in 1925 (though both of these belong to the Sunni branch of Islam). In 1950 Salafis formed their organization Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
(KNM). It's interesting to note that the faith of the Kerala Muslims was a mixture of "Sunnis" and "Salafis" before the so-called renaissance.
In 1942 a part of Salafis came out as Kerala unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
, and around 1985, some formed the Chekannur sect
namely Qur’an Sunnat Society and ultimately in 2002, it split into two after some years of internal differences, called A. P. Mujahid and Madavurs. Both organisational as well as theological differences were raised as a reason for the split which is still a matter of disagreement among the factions. The official "AP faction", has TP Abdulla Koya Madani as President and AP Abdul Qader Moulavi as General Secretary and the "Madavur faction" is led by Dr. EK Ahammad Kutty as President and CP Ummar Sullami as General Secretary. Both factions are well functional, popular and active but The Madavur faction is seen more flexible than the AP faction in social and political circles. The Madvur faction is affiliated to recently-formed Indian Islahi Movement and the AP faction is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith, an all-India Islahi outfit.
1) Sunni orthodox sects of Shafi school (A. P. Sunni
-Kanthapuram, E. K. Sunni
etc.).
2) Adherents of Mujahid -Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
(A. P. Mujahids, Madavur etc.).
3) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
(simply Jama'at).
The Sunni classification referred to here are identified by their conventional beliefs and practices and adherence to Shafi school of law, while the other two theological orientations,the Mujahids and the Jama'ats, are seen as reform movements within the community. The Shia school is almost absent amongst the Muslims of Kerala.
It is an observation that the inspiration behind the establishment of major educational institutions in Kerala including a number of Arabic colleges, arts and science colleges, technical institutes, and schools was actually the activities if the Islahi movement.
They have established orphanages in few parts of the state, and conducted campaigns against dowry, and other social evils. Through their books, magazines, and public speeches, the Islahi movement asked the Muslim public to distance themselves from un-Islamic practices to avoid local culture and to stick to the principles of Islam. Establishment of 'Qur'an Learning Schools' (QLS) in almost every part of north and central Kerala was considered to be an attempt to spread Qur'anic learning among adults.
The birth anniversary of Mohammed is only celebrated by various Sunni faction mahal committees and madrasas in Kerala. A mass ziyarat (visit) to the graves of martyrs and Syeds will be held. Even when majority Sunnis are celebrating the Milad day, Salafi groups have been critical of the celebrations. According to Salafi scholars, celebrating Prophet Mohammed's birth anniversary is ‘un-Islamic' and against the tenets of the Koran and the Hadith.
is sympathetic to Indian Union Muslim League
but it is not official. In recent elections in Kerala, the Madavaur faction of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
was unofficially with the Left parties and opposed to the Muslim League.
, UAE, Qatar
, Oman
, Bahrain
(see Al Furqan Centre), and Kuwait
. Recently Indian Islahi Centers have been set up in other cities in India, like Delhi
, Bangalore
and Chennai
Mappila
Mappila or Moplah refers to a Muslim community of Kerala, primarily in the northern region called Malabar, which arose in Malabar as a result of the pre and post Islamic Arab contacts. Significant numbers of the community are also present in the southern districts of Karnataka and western parts of...
in the Kerala state, South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
mostly owes to the rise of Salafi
Salafi
A Salafi come from Sunni Islam is a follower of an Islamic movement, Salafiyyah, that is supposed to take the Salaf who lived during the patristic period of early Islam as model examples...
ideas and scholars in the early 20th century, referred as Islahi movements of Kerala. Salafism is a puritanical and legalistic Islamic movement under the Sunni umbrella, and is the dominant form of Islam in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. This movement coincided with the renaissance movements in Hindu, Christian societies in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
.
The main goals of the movement were standing against local priesthood dependency, provide proper education, remove the influence of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
and non-Islamic native cultures from
the Mappilas, one of the earliest Muslim population in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. The members see their role as a movement to restore Islam from what they perceive to be innovations, superstitions, deviances, heresies and idolatries.
The initiation of delivering Friday sermons (jumu'a khutuba) in local language, Malayalam, was another step taken by the movement. The movement encouraged women's education and their attendance in mosques, published Malayalam translation of the Qur'an and other religious books and played an important role in the renaissance of Kerala society.
Salafism is in general opposed to Sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
and Shi'a Islam
Shi'a Islam
Shia Islam is the second largest denomination of Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites or Shias. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī , meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "party of Ali".Like other schools of thought in Islam, Shia Islam is...
, which they regard as heresies.
Background and history
IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
had reached Malabar Coast
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
during the period of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
(ca.570–632) himself (probably by Malik ibn Dinar, a Tabi‘un). Arabian sea-traders who visited Kerala spread it, and they almost maintained a healthy trade relationship with both the local Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
people and the powerful Nair
Nair
Nair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
kings of Malabar, the Zamorins. As trade and commerce between Kerala and Arabia flourished and many traders settled down in Kerala, and their interaction with the local population helped Islam taking its roots on the south-western Indian coast of Kerala. The local legends even tell the mysterious disappearance and conversion to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
by a Chera ruler which, however, is neither corroborated by any contemporary record.
Islahi movement introduced in Kerala during the early years of 20th century. . Women kept away from education, deceased Mappila priests were mostly considered as a middlemen to the God. No modern medicinal practices were in use, instead most of Mappilas consulted native "religious doctors". Even, Mujahid scholars accuse that the religious leaders lacked complete-awareness of Islam. Recitation of Qur'an was also considered for prosperity and curing diseases. Women were discouraged from acquiring any formal education.
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal was an Islamic Scholar, social reformer and anti-British thinker from Malabar, British India. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal is often referred as one of the personalities influenced the Moplah Riots along with Sayyid Alavi Thangal, Veliyankode Umar Khasi and Sayid Fasal...
, Shaykh Muhammad Maheen Hamadani Thangal, Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi, popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the present day Kerala, India...
were the main leaders of the renaissance in the Muslim community of Kerala. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal
Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal was an Islamic Scholar, social reformer and anti-British thinker from Malabar, British India. Sayyid Sanaulla Makti Thangal is often referred as one of the personalities influenced the Moplah Riots along with Sayyid Alavi Thangal, Veliyankode Umar Khasi and Sayid Fasal...
was a cleric, who tried to uproot the dreadful practices. Both Shaykh Muhammad Maheen, Hamadani Thangal and Vakkom Moulavi tried hard to provide education realising that the cause backwardness of Muslim community is absence of proper education. As a part of it, Hamadani Thangal formed an organisation based at Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
.
To highlight illiteracy in the community, Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi, popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the present day Kerala, India...
began to print newspapers, magazines and books. The newspaper Swadeshabhimani by Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi, popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the present day Kerala, India...
became a part of history of the entire region. But the newspaper was banned later. Then he began two more publications, calling for the education of Muslim children. He worked in many organisations like Travancore Muslim Mahasabha, Chirayinkil Taluk Muslim Samajam and the Muslim Aikya Sanghom (Muslim Unity Forum) of Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
. The community owes Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi, popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the present day Kerala, India...
for most of its early social and educational leaps.
Vakkom Abdul Qader, son of Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Moulavi
Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi, popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the present day Kerala, India...
, began his career as editor of the newspaper Al-Ameen. Then, he became the editor of the newspaper Moplah Review. As a leader, Vakkom Abdul Qader formed two organisations called Navayuga Samskarika Samiti at Varkala
Varkala
Varkala is a coastal town and municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district situated in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located 50 kilometres north-west of Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km south-west of Kollam city.Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to...
and Iqbal Study Centre at Punalur
Punalur
Punalur is a city situvated near the Tamil Nadu Kerala Border in Kollam district in the southern state of Kerala, India. It is the pioneer in starting industrial revolution in Kerala by establishing Punalur Paper Mills, the first industry in kerala. It is situated in the banks of the river Kallada...
.
Organisations like Ma'unat ul-Islam Sabha at Ponnani
Ponnani
Ponnani/Ponani is an ancient port, a coastal town and a municipality in Malappuram district in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 9.32 km2. Ponnani taluk is the smallest Taluk in Malappuram district. This tiny, picturesque town is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west...
, Lajnat ul-Islam Sabha at Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
, and the Muslim Aikya Sanghom (Muslim Unity Forum) of Kodungallur
Kodungallur
Kodungallur is a municipality in Thrissur District, in the state of Kerala, India on the Malabar Coast. Kodungallur is located about 29 km northwest of Kochi city and 38 km Southwest of Thrissur, on National Highway 17 . Muziris the ancient seaport at the mouth of the Periyar River was...
tried their best in improving educational and social status of the Muslims. Muslim Aikya Sanghom is the prototype of present day Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
(KNM).
An organisation called Muslim Educational Society
Muslim Educational Society
The Muslim Educational Society is an organisation established to aid education of Muslims in India, especially in the state of Kerala.-History:The MES was founded in 1964 at Kozhikode by Dr. P. K. Abdul Gafoor. Gafoor's son P. A...
(MES) played an important role in the development of higher education in Malabar. A member of Muslim Educational Society
Muslim Educational Society
The Muslim Educational Society is an organisation established to aid education of Muslims in India, especially in the state of Kerala.-History:The MES was founded in 1964 at Kozhikode by Dr. P. K. Abdul Gafoor. Gafoor's son P. A...
may or may not be a "mujahid" by the simple reason that Muslim Educational Society
Muslim Educational Society
The Muslim Educational Society is an organisation established to aid education of Muslims in India, especially in the state of Kerala.-History:The MES was founded in 1964 at Kozhikode by Dr. P. K. Abdul Gafoor. Gafoor's son P. A...
is not a religious outfit.
The Islahi movement has created an organizational setup in Kerala in 1922 with the formation of Muslim Aikya Sanghom. But it was in 1924, following the establishment of a body of scholars called Kerala Jam'iyyathul Ulama (KJU), that the Islahi movement acquired an organizational setup and began functioning systematically in Kerala. Some of the Islahi scholars were also leaders of Indian independence movement. Sanaulla Makthi Thangal, K. M. Jamaluddin Moulavi and Vakkom Moulavi were some of the scholars who have worked towards this goal. Leaders like Mohammed Abdul rahiman Sahib, EK Moidu Moulavi and KM Seethi Sahib were said to have prompted every individual of the society to do their duty to their homeland (India) by participating in the Indian freedom struggle movement.
Mujahids
Followers of Islahi movement in Kerala call themselves ‘mujahids’ . The term mujahid means 'one who strives'. The term which is used to denote any follower of this movement, comes from its present-day organizational form called Kerala Nadvathul MujahideenKerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
, the successor-outfit of Muslim Aikya Sanghom, the reformist movement of 1920s. It is important to note that the Islahi movement in Kerala is against terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
in all its forms.
Splits
Since IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
reached Malabar as early as 7th century it had almost mixed with the culture and traditions of the people of Kerala. So, ultimately the renaissance in the Muslim community resulted in the division of Muslims as "Sunnis" (more orthodox sect than the other) and "Salafi
Salafi
A Salafi come from Sunni Islam is a follower of an Islamic movement, Salafiyyah, that is supposed to take the Salaf who lived during the patristic period of early Islam as model examples...
s" in 1925 (though both of these belong to the Sunni branch of Islam). In 1950 Salafis formed their organization Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
(KNM). It's interesting to note that the faith of the Kerala Muslims was a mixture of "Sunnis" and "Salafis" before the so-called renaissance.
In 1942 a part of Salafis came out as Kerala unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is one of the influential and hardline Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in India...
, and around 1985, some formed the Chekannur sect
Chekannur Maulavi
Chekannur Moulavi was a progressive Islamic cleric who lived in Edappal in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. He was noted for his controversial and unconventional interpretation of Islam based on Quran and Hadeeth...
namely Qur’an Sunnat Society and ultimately in 2002, it split into two after some years of internal differences, called A. P. Mujahid and Madavurs. Both organisational as well as theological differences were raised as a reason for the split which is still a matter of disagreement among the factions. The official "AP faction", has TP Abdulla Koya Madani as President and AP Abdul Qader Moulavi as General Secretary and the "Madavur faction" is led by Dr. EK Ahammad Kutty as President and CP Ummar Sullami as General Secretary. Both factions are well functional, popular and active but The Madavur faction is seen more flexible than the AP faction in social and political circles. The Madvur faction is affiliated to recently-formed Indian Islahi Movement and the AP faction is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith, an all-India Islahi outfit.
Modern Muslim divisions in Kerala
Theological orientations amongst the Mappilas are primarily divided into three, though all these belong to the Sunni branch of Islam.1) Sunni orthodox sects of Shafi school (A. P. Sunni
A. P. Sunni
A. P. Sunni is one of the powerful and influential traditional Sunni factions of Muslims in Kerala, South India under the Karanthur Markaz. They belong to the Sunni-Shafi branch of Islam. It was named after the cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar, general secretary of All-India Jamiyyathul...
-Kanthapuram, E. K. Sunni
E. K. Sunni
E. K. Sunni is one of the powerful traditional Sunni factions of Muslims in Kerala, South India under the Chelari Samastha. They belong to Sunni-Shafi school of law. It is largest Muslim faction in Kerala in terms of number of followers and was named after the cleric E.K...
etc.).
2) Adherents of Mujahid -Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
(A. P. Mujahids, Madavur etc.).
3) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is one of the influential and hardline Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in India...
(simply Jama'at).
The Sunni classification referred to here are identified by their conventional beliefs and practices and adherence to Shafi school of law, while the other two theological orientations,the Mujahids and the Jama'ats, are seen as reform movements within the community. The Shia school is almost absent amongst the Muslims of Kerala.
Activities
Islahi scholars had initially identified that one of the basic requirements of the Muslim community during those days was educational reform, and they set up an education board to work towards this goal. Under this board, madrasahs, or religious schools, were started in various parts of the state in a meticulous way with modern amenities, and these 'madrasahs' are entirely different from those exist in other parts of India.It is an observation that the inspiration behind the establishment of major educational institutions in Kerala including a number of Arabic colleges, arts and science colleges, technical institutes, and schools was actually the activities if the Islahi movement.
They have established orphanages in few parts of the state, and conducted campaigns against dowry, and other social evils. Through their books, magazines, and public speeches, the Islahi movement asked the Muslim public to distance themselves from un-Islamic practices to avoid local culture and to stick to the principles of Islam. Establishment of 'Qur'an Learning Schools' (QLS) in almost every part of north and central Kerala was considered to be an attempt to spread Qur'anic learning among adults.
The birth anniversary of Mohammed is only celebrated by various Sunni faction mahal committees and madrasas in Kerala. A mass ziyarat (visit) to the graves of martyrs and Syeds will be held. Even when majority Sunnis are celebrating the Milad day, Salafi groups have been critical of the celebrations. According to Salafi scholars, celebrating Prophet Mohammed's birth anniversary is ‘un-Islamic' and against the tenets of the Koran and the Hadith.
Political agenda
Islahi movement in Kerala did not show any political ambitions in the past and were not affiliated with any political party. Although the organization do not have a political stand, their members are active in different political parties and are helped by the movement. The organizational form of the movement Kerala Nadvathul MujahideenKerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
is sympathetic to Indian Union Muslim League
Indian Union Muslim League
Indian Union Muslim League is a state political party in the state of Kerala, India. The chief support base of the party falls inside northern and central Kerala...
but it is not official. In recent elections in Kerala, the Madavaur faction of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen is a Salafi Islamic organization and movement within Sunni Islam in Kerala, India. One faction of the organization is working in co-operation with Ahl al-Hadith , an all-Subcontinental Islahi outfit...
was unofficially with the Left parties and opposed to the Muslim League.
Overseas branches
Indian Islahi Centers are the platforms of the followers of Islahi movement living outside Kerala. There are active Indian Islahi Centers in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, UAE, Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
, Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
(see Al Furqan Centre), and Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. Recently Indian Islahi Centers have been set up in other cities in India, like Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
External links
- K.M. Seethi Sahib A veteran Islahi leader & Second speaker of the Kerala state Assembly
- Shabab Weekly - A leading publication of Islahi Movement