Al-Ziya

Al-Ziya

May 1933 cover
Editor	Masud Alam Nadwi
Categories	Theology, Culture, Dawah, Literature
Frequency	Monthly
Publisher	Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama
Founder	Masud Alam Nadwi
First issue	May 1932
Final issue	1935
Country	India
Based in	Lucknow
Language	Arabic

Al-Ziya (Arabic: الضياء) was the first monthly Arabic magazine published by Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in May 1932 under the editorship of Masud Alam Nadwi, with advisorship from Sulaiman Nadvi and Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali, and with Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi as part of the editorial team. It was printed using lithography and released mid-month according to the Islamic calendar, focusing on literary, educational, and social topics. Despite being the only Arabic magazine in India at the time and receiving widespread acclaim for developing intellectual discourse in Arab and Islamic circles, it ceased publication after four years due to financial constraints. Its legacy, however, influenced the emergence of other Arabic magazines, with Al-Baas El-Islami regarded as its successor.

Start and strive

Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, recognizing the stagnation of Arabic language education in India, initiated efforts to revitalize the language, particularly in practical communication. In 1932, under the influence of Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and a proposal by Syed Sabir, the institution launched Al-Ziya, designed to provide students with a platform to practice Arabic writing and composition. This was a novel initiative, as Arabic in India had largely remained confined to traditional study, with many scholars struggling to use the language fluently in speaking or writing. Despite over a million students learning Arabic in approximately one thousand madrassas, the language had not advanced in terms of communication skills beyond jurisprudential or logical topics. Sulaiman Nadvi and others noted the challenge faced by many Muslims who could understand Arabic but could not communicate in it effectively. In response, Al-Ziya called for more active engagement with Arabic as a living language, promoting its use in both writing and speech. This initiative helped the emergence of other Arabic publications and institutions dedicated to Arabic language training. However, Al-Ziya ceased publication after four years due to financial constraints.

Themes and voices

The magazine was instrumental in the advancement of both Islamic sciences and Indian culture by promoting Arabic as a dynamic and evolving language suited to modern needs. It aimed to demonstrate that Arabic is not a static language limited to religious contexts but one capable of supporting a broad range of disciplines, including both Islamic studies and other scientific fields. In addition to its focus on language, the magazine acted as the primary representative of Indian Muslims abroad, facilitating communication between India and the Arab world. It encouraged a contemporary style of writing, developing literary and scientific tastes while inspiring Islamic zeal and religious sentiment among its readers. Moreover, the magazine countered the influence of Western intellectualism, advocating for the preservation of Islamic thought and values and playing a role in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of its time.