History - Class 7: Islamic History and Renaissance in Kerala and Beyond

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the early history of Islam in Kerala, the period of decline, key reformers, and the global context of the Islamic renaissance.

1st Century AH (Hijri)

The historical timeframe during which Islam first reached the state of Kerala.

Zamorin

The King of Kozhikode whose powerful naval forces were traditionally led by Muslims.

Urukku and Elas

Amulets used as superstitions instead of medical treatment during the 19th-century period of decline in Kerala.

Maqbaras

Tombs that became centers of worship and festivals during the religious decline in Kerala.

Nercha

Religious vows offered to the dead, a practice that emerged during the period of social and religious decline.

Al-Manar

A magazine published by Sayyid Rashid Rida in Egypt that created an intellectual revolution and influenced the Kerala Renaissance.

Sanaullah Makthi Thangal

A reformer (1847–1912) from Karnataka who settled in Kerala, resigned from a government job to defend Islam against missionaries, and wrote 50 books.

Sathyaprakasham

A weekly publication established by Sanaullah Makthi Thangal to spread reformist ideas.

Hamadani Thangal (Muhammad Mahin)

A reformer who established libraries under the Lajnathul Islam Sangham and wrote Ilfathul Islam in Arabi-Malayalam.

Vakkom Moulavi (1873–1932)

A polyglot reformer from Thiruvananthapuram who published Swadeshabhimani and founded the Travancore Muslim Mahajana Sabha.

Chalilakath Kunhahammed Haji

The reformer who established the first systematic Madrasa in Vazhakkad in 1910, introducing modern tools like blackboards and desks.

K.M. Moulavi (Thayyil Muhammad Kutti)

A scholar known as "Kathib" who was active in the 1921 Rebellion and later wrote for global journals like Al-Manar and local ones like Al-Ameen.

Arabi-Malayalam

A unique writing system where the Malayalam language is written using Arabic script, supplemented with letters from Urdu.

Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham

An organization founded in 1922 in Kodungallur (originally called Nishpaksha Sangham) to promote education and religious reform.

Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (KJU)

An organization formed in Aluva in 1924 specifically for Islamic scholars.

Kerala Nadhvathul Mujahideen (KNM)

A body formed in 1950 to unify scholars and the public for the Islahi (Reform) movement.

Crusades

A 150-year war (1095–1247) waged by European Christian powers against Muslims.

Taqleed

The practice of blind following of scholars, which led to extreme sectarianism where different Madhabs refused to pray together.

Advaita

The belief that creation and the Creator are one, a concept introduced by certain deviant Sufi paths like Qadiri and Rifa'i.

Ibn Taymiyyah

An influential scholar (Born 661 AH) who fought against the Tartars and wrote against superstitions and Sufi deviations.

Muhammad ibn Abdil Wahhab (1703–1792)

A reformer from Najd who focused on pure Tawhid and partnered with Muhammad ibn Saud to establish a state based on the Quran and Sunnah.

Khidimul Haramain

A title meaning "Servant of the Two Holy Mosques," used by the King of Saudi Arabia.

Salaf

The pious predecessors, specifically the Prophet's companions and the early generations of Muslims.

Islah / Tajdeed

Terms referring to renaissance, reform, or the process of striving against ignorance and superstition.

Jihadan Kabeera

The "Great Jihad" as defined in Quran 25:52, which refers to striving with the message of the Quran.

Visudha Quran Vivaranam

The authoritative Malayalam Quran commentary began by K.M. Moulavi and completed by Muhammad Amani Moulavi over 25 years.

Orientalism

The movement by Western Jewish and Christian scholars to master Arabic and Eastern languages in order to distort Islamic concepts from within.

Al-Urwatul Wuthqa

A publication led by Muhammad Abduh in Egypt that provided the light of renaissance to the modern world.

Sayyid Rashid Rida (1865–1935)

A disciple of Muhammad Abduh and author of Al-Wahyul Muhammadi who defended Islam against both Orientalists and superstitions.

Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1702–1763)

An Indian reformer contemporary to Muhammad ibn Abdil Wahhab and author of the influential book Hujjatullahil Baligha.

Sayyid Ahmed (1786–1831)

A preacher of Tawhid whose Islahi movement spanned from Punjab to Bengal and who opposed British supremacy until his death in battle.

Ahle-Hadith Movement

A structured organization formed in 1906 to give shape to Islahi activities in India.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

India's first Education Minister who provided significant service to the renaissance through his Urdu translation of the Quran.