Islahi Movement -Kerala

1922 with the formation of Muslim Aikya Sangham (Organization for
Muslim Unity) . But it was in 1924, following the establishment of a
body comprised of scholars called Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema (KJU), that
the Islahi Movement acquired an organizational setup and began
functioning systematically in Kerala.

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 Rahman Sahib, E. K. Moidu Moulavi and K. M. 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.

Mujahids
Followers of Islahi movement call themselves mujahids
The term mujahid means one who strives for a noble cause.
A Kerala Mujahid has no connection with the 'self proclaimed' mujahids
of the other parts of the world. The Islahi Movement in Kerala is
against terrorism in all its forms

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, Madrasas, or religious schools, were started in
various parts of the state in a meticulous way with modern amenities,
and these madrassas are different from those exist in northern part
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.

The initiation of delivering Friday sermons (Juma Khutuba) in local
language, Malayalam, was another step taken by the movement. It
encouraged women?s education and their attendance in mosques,
published Quran translations and religious books in Malayalam, and
started the centralized distribution of Zakat fund to the poor and
needy.

They have established orphanages in various 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 Bidaa (innovations in
the religion), to stick to the principles of Islam, and to follow
Sunnah (teachings of Muhammad). Establishment of 'Qur'an Learning
Schools (QLS)' in almost every part of north and central Kerala was
considered to be a major activity carried out by the movement.

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 Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.