# Al-Ziya

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. Abdul Hameed Fazli documented the circumstances surrounding its closure in his biographical work on Masud Alam Nadwi.

## 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.

## Reputation in academia

It has received acclaim from diverse academic backgrounds. Academics such as Abdul Aziz al-Yamani from the Islamic University of Madinah praised its establishment, acknowledging the efforts of Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and others in nurturing its success. Farid Uddin Ahmed from Cotton University highlighted the magazine's widespread recognition across India and its role in the development of the Arabic language in the region. Habib Shahidul Islam and Ahmed Daisy, both from Gauhati University, noted the magazine's swift popularity in Arab countries due to its content. Hafizur Rahman, also from Gauhati University, recognized it as a pioneering publication in Arabic journalism, with notable influence in both India and Arab nations. Zikrullah Arabi from Maulana Azad National Urdu University commended the magazine's eloquent style and its role in spreading Islamic awareness, while Jubailiya P from the University of Calicut and Anees Alangadan from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, emphasized its status as a source of inspiration and a leader in the field. Nayab Hasan Qasmi, the author of Darul Uloom Deoband Ka Sahafati Manzarnama, Shams Tabrez Khan, the historiographer of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, and Mohd. Sohaib Siddiqi from Aligarh Muslim University acknowledged the impact of the magazine on contemporary journalism in India and the Arab-Islamic world. Obaidur Rahman from the University of Calcutta praised it for dispelling misconceptions about Indian Muslims' proficiency in Arabic, noting its role in elevating Indian scholars in the Arab world. Sheeba Rehman from Aligarh Muslim University remarked on its quick recognition across the Islamic world, and Kaleemur Rehman Kha from the University of Lucknow attributed much of its success to Masud Alam Nadwi's bilingual proficiency. Ihsan Mu'afi Haqqi, professor of Arabic at Aligarh Muslim University, commended the magazine's efforts to promote the Arabic language, encouraging further improvements in its presentation.

## International reach

Masud Alam Nadwi established global connections with notable figures such as Shakib Arslan, Rashid Rida, and Muhibb al-Din al-Khatib from the Arab world, as well as Muhammad Iqbal in India, using the magazine as a platform. It also served as a vehicle for emerging scholars like Mustafa al-Siba'i, Umar Bahaa al-Amiri, Abdul Qahhar al-Kardani, and Muhammad Ma Jian, who later achieved prominence in their fields. The publication received praise from several international sources, including Amir Nasiruddin of Lebanon, who lauded Al-Ziya for its pure Arabic language, eloquent style, and insightful Islamic research. Syed Muhammad Mahmud Hafiz al-Nadwi noted that its fame spread beyond India to the Arab world, where Arab writers celebrated the magazine for its intellectual clarity and literary subjects. The Syrian magazine Al-Furqan described it as progressive, highlighting its intellectual, literary, educational, and social content. The Lebanese newspaper Al-Safa acknowledged Al-Ziya's unique position as the only Arabic-language magazine in India at the time, emphasizing its comprehensive and beneficial content, despite being printed using lithography. Al-Irfan from Syria noted the magazine's growth, stating that, had it used modern printing methods, it would have been considered a leading Arabic publication. Al-Arab al-Muqaddasiyyah praised it as an influential magazine, commending its eloquent diction and its role in promoting Islamic culture, history, and sociology. Al-Naqqash al-Karmali, a Syrian Arabic writer, acknowledged Masud Alam Nadwi's mastery of the Arabic language, even at a young age, and recognized him as an accomplished scholar. Al-Shihab, an Algerian magazine, highlighted its growing readership and support, noting that the research and comprehensive topics inspired many to subscribe. Al-Fath, a Cairo-based magazine, reflected the high esteem in which Al-Ziya was held, underscoring its significant place in the Arab intellectual community.