Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen - History

History

The Islahi movement began to work in an organized form in Kerala by 1922 with the formation of Muslim Aikya Sangham (the Muslim Unity Forum). But it was not until 1924 through the establishment of a body of scholars called Kerala Jam'iyyathul Ulama (KJU), that the movement acquired an established organizational setup and began functioning systematically in Kerala. Kerala Jam'iyyathul 'Ulama (KJU), later transformed to become a scholars' panel inside the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen.

Islahi scholars were also known leaders of freedom struggle, determined to drive out the foreign rulers from India, besides attempting spiritual and social rejuvenation of the Muslim community. Sanaulla Makthi Thangal, K. M. Jamaluddin Moulavi, Chalilakath Kunhahammed Haji, and Vakkom Abdul Qadar 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 upheld true Islamic spirit and prompted every individual of the society to do their duty to their homeland by participating in the Indian freedom struggle movement.

Since Islam reached Malabar as early as 7th century it had almost mixed with the culture and traditions of Keralites . So, ultimately the Islahi Movement in Kerala, part of the renaissance of the community, resulted in the division of Mappilas as "Sunnis" (more orthodox sect than the other) and "Salafis" (both of these belong to the Sunni branch of Islam) in 1925. It's interesting to note that the faith of the Mappilas was a mixture of "Sunnis" and "Salafis" before these renaissance. The Shia branch is almost absent amongst the Muslims of Kerala.

Followers of Islahi movement call themselves ‘mujahids’. The term mujahid means 'one who strives to elevate Islam over disbelief and idolatry.' The Islahi Movement in Kerala is against terrorism in all its forms.

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.

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 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.