Emergence of Islamic Revivalism in Kerala

Abstract

The Islamic movement has been treated by Muslims as in different perspectives. It connected with a sincere urge to preserve the cultural heritage of Islam keeping in view the role model of Prophet Muhammed and the early Islamic Caliphs while executing Islamic teaching in the society. In most of the cases this term is associated with the revivalist vision with the aim of covering all the socio-religious dimension of Islamic awakening. These Islamic activities are originated in16th century onwards through Islamic education among the keralites was taken over by the first time by the reputed Makhdum Arab family of Ponnani in a systematic and organized way1. The sholars like Qadi Muhammed, Valiyamkode Umer Qadi (d. 1852), Mamburam Syed Alavi Thangal (d. 1844), Fasal Pookoya Thangal (d. 1901) were the other important personalities, who worked for the upliftment of Muslim community. During these days the European powers demoralized the Muslims in all walks of – social, cultural, educational and economic aspects. So the Muslim leaders did not pay much attention to non-Islamic practices of neo-Muslims because of the political and social condition had affected the Muslims at worst and religious scholars were interested manly to restore their lost glory. Their activities helped the Muslims to respond positively towards the reformation movement. The Muslim scene in the second half of the 19th century forced some scholars to think about the necessity of starting the revivalism in Kerala. A taboo in modern education and women education, superstitious believes and un-Islamic practices worst the scene. These situations attracted some of the right thinking scholars to start a reformation and revivalist movement in the Muslim society. The most important among them were Sayyid Snaullah Makti Thangal (1842-1912 A D), Shaikh Muhammed Hamadani Thangal (d.1922 A D), Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Qadir Moulavi) (1873-1932 AD), K M Moulavi (1896-1964 AD).