WISDOM ISLAMIC ORGANIZATION
The situation of Muslims in Kerala in the second half of the nineteenth century was deplorable. Exhausted economically due to unrelenting resistance and wars against foreign dominance. Instead of studying the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah (the words, actions, approvals or attributes that have been narrated from the Messenger (s)), they found satisfaction in their traditions. Although the real Islam was first prevalent in Kerala, prejudices of Madh’habs (different schools of thought), Sufi ideologies and Tariqas (order of Sufism) permeated here as well later. People indulged in superstitions, innovations and shirk (associating partners with God).
It was a society that did not know the tenets of religion and who considers folk customs as religion, a group that is alienated from the field of knowledge, and scholars were interpreting the religion according to the interests of the society. Such was the state of the Muslim community in Kerala until 19th century. In this context, “Kerala Muslim Aikya Samgham” (literally translated as Kerala Muslim United Front); an organized movement of Muslim community stepped in to the society as a mile stone in to the field of renaissance. In their second annual gathering, it was decided to organize a Conference of all the scholars of Kerala and to form a group to strengthen the movement. Thus the first scholarly organization in Kerala namely “Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (Ahlussunnati wal Jama’a Samgham)” came into existence. This group had no branches or other constituent bodies. Therefore, there was no uniformity or links between their activities.
In the light of the perception that the public needed a platform to fill the absence of coordination, an organization was formed in the 1950s, to work for all, scholars and laymen alike. It was named as “Kerala Nadwatul Mujahideen (KNM)”. Mujahideen is a term mentioned in the Qur'an to refer those who make sacrifice for the sake of Islam.
The organization was also known as “Islahi Movement” which means “Movement for corrective actions”, as it aims to revert the Muslim Community on the basis of Qur’an and Hadees from their superstitions and innovations. The Mujahideen are also known as “Salafis'' because they trace the path of virtuous ancestors (Sahabas and the first three generations) to adopt and practice Islamic teachings.
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen was formed with K.M.Moulavi as President and N.V.Abdul Salam Moulavi as General Secretary at a meeting convened by K.M.Moulavi, P.K.Moosa Moulavi, A.K.Abdullatif Moulavi, N.V.Abdulsalam Moulavi and M.Kunhoi Vaidyar. Other office bearers were P.K.Moosa Moulavi, Sayyid Haji Kochi (Vice Presidents), A.K.Abdullatif Moulavi (Assistant Secretary) and M.Kunhoi Vaidyar (Treasurer). KNM formed various reinforcing subsidiaries and sub-committees for it’s smooth and expedited operations. Accordingly, reinforcing subsidiaries like ISM for the youth, MSM for the students and MGM for women were formed.
The organization continued to thrive through regular lectures, other awareness activities, quinquennial state conferences, Islamic exhibitions, campaigns, periodicals, translation of the Holy Quran projects, libraries, establishment of collages and other educational institutions and building mosques all in parallel to timely reinforcement of constituent bodies.
But in the meanwhile, some unfortunate activities were taking place within the organization which eventually led to some fractional movments of the organization itself. Following this, internal problems intensified in the 1999 elections. Some prominent people who are the benefactors of the organization came on the scene to resolve the issue. However, the crisis prevailed even after months of reconciliation with those concerned. Thus, the organization was compelled to take certain disciplinary actions for ideological and organizational reasons.
Following this action, on August 17, 2002, a meeting of 9 agitated members of the 35-member State Governing Council of the Kerala Nadvatul Mujahideen and few others held at Markasuddha’wah on Kandankulam Road, Kozhikode, disqualified the members of the governing body including the President and the General Secretary. Instead, the 9-member panel announced that a new parallel governing body had taken charge in office. During the days that followed this incident, this division spread to other reinforcing subsidiaries and constituent bodies of the organization. Cases were filed in the courts by various parties. Consequently the organization had split into two in the year 2002 and those who left the organization were later known as the “Madavoor faction”.
KNM maintained its ideal sanctity and moved forward with multi-faceted propagation activities. Subsequently, the organization survived the injuries of the split. The Salvation International Islamic Exhibition organized by the youth, played a significant role in this regard. The Mujahideen movement was once again enriched by the unparalleled propagation activities in the history of “islahi movement”. Those who left from the organization (the Madavoor faction) sought new ways of defense. The way they found for defense was to spread that KNM is importing superstition into the society. But, the Madavoor faction had to be on the defensive in response to the authentic documents, which included the writings of the predecessors and quotations from “Shabaab” weekly. After this, they had to withdraw from their allegations. At the same time, a section of the KNM remained dissatisfied with organization’s response to the Madavoor faction. But they did not have the courage to speak out. Some used this opportunity to conspire to trouble the organization further trouble the organization. In order to protect the vested interests of some people by using those who are in favor of the ideology of the Madavoor faction, they changed the doctrinal positions they had been preaching for so long and devised plans to hunt down those who refused to change accordingly, accusing them of disobeying the organization. As a result, the same allegations made by the Madavoor faction began to be heard again in the same style and wording in many venues where the KNM banner was placed.
Some saw this situation as the right time to merge with the KNM and approached the KNM leadership for that. The question arose within the organization as to how those who had left due to ideological deviations could come together without correcting difference in ideas. The activists urged the leadership that this is not an issue to be treated as a political agenda and that differences of opinion on religious issues should be resolved on the basis of authentic religious texts and agreed principles. The talks on merging were postponed due to the realization that the sentiment of the activists was against non-ideological alliance.
In order to expel those who pointed out this misguided move of non-ideological alliance, a group initiated spreading the pure lie that those who oppose the move are praying to the jinn. The group also worked hand in hand with the Madavoor sect locally on many issues. The scornful approach to hadiths became widespread after 2012. Many scholars, preachers and leaders of various constituents of the organization were subjected to action accusing non-compliance with constitutional principles as a result of pointing out ideological and organizational malpractices. The Youth and Students subsidiaries were suspended. A large section of the activists who had sincerity and ideological purity were expelled accusing Shirk (associating partners with the God). Subsequently, a large section of preachers, activists and many others who were close to the leadership realized the fact that the organization is deviating from it’s declared goal and hence started not to cooperate with the organization and kept themselves away. In the meantime some activists have even approached the courts questioning the illegal moves in taking action against them. Therefore, although they have been subjected to disciplinary action technically, they still considered themselves are still the members of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen and its constituents. In addition to it, religion does not allow a believer to stay away from propagation until the matter is decided by the courts. So they too continued their preaching activities. When two opposing factions operate separately under the same name, there is a high potential for conflict in the organization, in the institutions and in the society. It can cause developing animosity and hatred among the activists. At the same time, it is not the right approach to stop the propagation. At this juncture, those who were unable to coopertae with the organization united together under the name "Mujahid Da'wah Samithi" and went ahead with the propagation activities in an extensive manner.
A Da'wah Conference under the theme 'Religion is Security' was conducted on April 7, 2013 at Kozhikode beach and in the same historical conference, with the aim of molding a generation of knowledgeable and intelligent people, announced the starting of an institution named “Jamia Al hind Al Islamiya”. And then the Mujahid Da'wah Samithi established a trust named Wisdom Global Islamic Mission on April 16, 2014.
In order to further expand the operations of the Mujahid Dawa Samithi, on May 11, 2014, the Wisdom Global Islamic Mission was announced in front of a large crowd at Kozhikode beach. By the great grace of Allah, extensive activities were organized as part of this mission and public cooperation and trust were gained. Wisdom Global Islamic Mission was registered as a Trust on July 1, 2015 with the intention to streamline its operations in a much organized way.
Main activity of this organization is to carry out mass outreach programs by means of timely relevant resolutions to spread the message of Islam among the people, to dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, to raise awareness against spiritumujahideenal exploitation and terrorism, to maintain the secular stance of India, and to spread the message of maintaining communal harmony.
The booklet 'What is Life ?' was distributed to millions of households across Kerala. In addition to it, a pamphlet 'ISIS: Anti-Religious and Anti-Human' was also widely distributed when the IS threat sowed fear among the people.
In the context of rampant efforts for communal polarization, the organization has also held special programs under the theme 'Only One India, One Unified society'. All these have the participation and cooperation of all sections of the people of the country.
Wisdom Global Islamic Mission took over the charge to run an already an established educational complex named “Green valley”
In a short span of time, great changes have taken place in the field of Islamic propagation under the leadership of Wisdom Global Islamic Mission. When the State Office to lead extensive activities across the country and abroad was overwhelmed by the inconveniences of the rented building in the EKP Complex, Kozhikode, it began to think about building a central headquarters and a preaching center in the city of Kozhikode. At the International Quran Conference held at Kozhikode on 13-14 February 2016, an appeal was made to raise funds for the purchase of land for this purpose. The goal was then achieved by the grace of Allah and through the hard work of the wholehearted activists. The desired land in Kozhikode town was registered on November 7, 2017.
Works aimed at reclaiming the uniqueness of the Mujahideen ideology went ahead which the general public took note of. Activities spread all over Kerala and the misconceptions spread by the deviated faction about the organization were slowly cleared. There were in-depth thoughts and discussions about the journey of the Organization ahead. It was then decided to register and operate as a society in a way that would provide administrative participation to the idealistic public as well. In order to work with a systematic organizational structure by forming constituent bodies at district, zone and unit levels, the organization was registered as Wisdom Islamic Organization on October 12, 2017, under the Indian Societies Registration Act 1860.
By the grace of Allah, thereafter many activities for religious propagation are being organized in a scientific and very systematic manner under the auspices of the organization with the participation of the young and the old alike.
An Internet Radio was started with the name 'Peace Radio' as part of using modern technology in the field of religious exhortation. It has been installed by hundreds of thousands and being listened to by tens of thousands at the same time from different parts of the world.
Daily short talk series of not more than six minutes entitled "Nervazhi" (The right path) successfully crossed its two thousand episodes by now. The “Wisdom Gallery” Islamic exhibition is being conducted in various centers across the state. Wisdom Mobile Da'wah vehicle is carrying out missions even in small market places and junctions.
By the grace of Allah the dawa activities are going on well in line with the mission and vision of the organization.
Objectives of the Organization
1) To propagate the true beliefs, methodology of worship, culture and way of life of Islam on the basis of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A) and to conduct awareness campaigns and programs to keep the society away from superstitions and corrupt practices.
2) Develop and implement systematic plans for the propagation of the Holy Quran, the Sahih Hadith and the path of the righteous predecessors.
3) To create awareness in the society against the dangers of terrorism, extremism and communalism and to work for maintaining peace and harmony among different sections of the society and to formulate and introduce activities to guide the thinking and action of the youth towards the welfare of the society.
4) Develop schemes to provide assistance to the poor, orphans and widows who are marginalized from the mainstream and start and run institutions to provide care to such people.
5) When the country is affected with natural calamities or other disasters, organize relief activities with the help of our members and the public.
6) Organize awareness campaigns to introduce the humanitarian face of Islam to the world and to dispel misconceptions about Islam.
7) To support the backward and the homeless sects in the society and to develop and implement projects for uplifting them.
8) Raise awareness among the society against uncontrolled exploitation of nature and formulate and implement plans for environmental protection.
9) Conduct awareness campaigns to liberate the society from the obsolescence of alcohol, drugs and sexual anarchy and to formulate and implement constructive schemes in collaboration with government and non-government institutions to bring such people back to real life.
10) Start and manage research institutes for the in-depth study of Quran and Hadith.
11) Develop plans for memorizing the Quran and start and run institutions for it.
12) Establish madrassas and other religious education centers to provide religious education in a scientific and systematic manner to the younger generation.
13) Establish and run the necessary institutions to impart religious and physical education to the elderly.
14) Establish and maintain Islamic reference libraries and public libraries
15) Publish books, pamphlets and publications containing the ideas of the Holy Quran and Sahih Hadith.
16) Start and run residential study centers for people who wish to study Quran, Hadith, Islamic knowledge and Arabic literature.
17) Establish and maintain hospitals and pain & palliative clinics for the benefit of the public.
18) Collect Zakat from Muslims who are obliged to pay Zakat and distribute to those who are eligible.
19) Publish periodicals and materials based on visual and audio media discussing current affairs and distribute among the public.
20) Actively utilize the means of information technology to develop a sense of morality by spreading Islamic values in the modern age where immoral activities are globalized
21) Raise awareness against the evils of increasing dowry, fascination for jewelry and extravagance in marriage and promote simple marriages.
22) Take steps to uplift minority communities in particular and other communities in general in various fields of education.
23) Organize social welfare activities for the benefit of all sections of the society irrespective of caste and religion.
24) Appropriately carry out the activities required to maintain from time to time all the institutions of the organization in accordance with the objectives of the Constitution.
25) Develop and implement plans for the educational uplift of Muslim women.
26) Respond creatively, to the attempts to create social insecurity and apoliticalism among the youth and initiate legitimate actions against it in collaboration with like-minded organizations to create a peaceful social atmosphere.
27) Organize special welfare activities for the uplift of women and children.
28) Develop the abilities of people with disabilities creatively and create the environment for them to study Islam in their own language.
29) Raise awareness on conservation of nature and environmental protection and formulate and implement schemes for conservation of water.
30) Discover and nurture the creativity of the students and formulate and implement the necessary activities to utilize them for the propagation of Islamic and moral values.
31) Plan and implement incentive initiatives such as distribution of free learning materials, scholarships for students from poor families and awards for high achieving students.
32) To seek constructive solutions to the problems in the field of education through peaceful and fair means and to make the student community aware about the same and bring such issues to the attention of the authorities.
33) Timely organize programs to find solutions to the personal, family and social issues faced by youth, girls and women.
34) Form subsidiary constituent bodies and reinforcing subdivisions in order to achieve the above objectives. Establish and maintain Masjids, Educational institutions and Cultural Centers. Publish and distribute publications and books. Conduct legitimate programs such as lectures, seminars and discussions which are relevant to the times.
Islam emphasizes unity and forbids causing division. Wisdom Islamic Organization is the bearer of the message of unity.
The basis of unity is the Quran and the Sunnah. The organization understands that these two Holy Scriptures must be apprehended and adopted in the same way as the righteous ancestors understood and practiced. Because that is what exists forever. The organization aims to mould an ideologically robust society rather than just a mob. The followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are the best example for such an idealistic society. Many goals that cannot be achieved alone can be realized through organized action. This group is always at the forefront of collaborating on the virtues envisioned by Islam. As an organization formed for the propagation of Islam, it is a virtuous community that will continue to co-operate boundlessly in virtues and will remain vigilant against shirk (associating partners with The God) and bid'a (innovations). Many such alliances and organized actions can be found in the history of the prophets. Therefore, the existence of such an organization with a clear vision and the potential to undertake such a mission in each society is essential for the propagation of the true religion and thus for the eternal benefit of the believers. It will never fall within the limits of disunity and division that Islam forbids.
It is the responsibility of the organization to assist those who speak the truth and assemble them on a common platform. Mission becomes much easier when those who share the common ideology help each other. The operations of the organization will thus be open and transparent. They abandon all means of conspiracy, fraud, theft and terrorism. Activities will be conducted only in accordance with the freedom allowed by the country and the means permitted by religion. Wisdom Islamic Organization does not recognize any organization or activities which maintain or suspect to have maintaining secrecy in their operations and is even independent of such organizations. The ultimate goal of organization is the salvation of humanity in the hereafter. People will naturally join the organization when they have the opportunity to work together with the organization for their eternal salvation. Discrimination of any kind to the least degree should be avoided by the activists and by the organization. Vices such as worldly dignity, lust for power, jealousy and greed for wealth should not be allowed in the organization as it is forbidden to Muslims. These religious and social commitments make Wisdom Islamic Organization operate sincerely and honestly.