The condition of Muslims was not so bright in the 19th and in the beginning of 20th century. Muslims by large gave up the Islamic principles, and deviated from the path of ‘Thouheed’ (monotheism), which is the essence of Islamic faith. The Muslim society as a whole has fallen into the hands of those who created ‘Bid-aa’ (innovations in beliefs or acts), and there was no formalized religious education system existing in the society. Qur-an was not taught, and recitation was done for the prosperity, and to cure diseases, and they didn't go beyond that. Women were strongly discouraged from acquiring any kind of formal education.

The Islahi movement has created an organizational setup in Kerala in 1922 with the formation of ‘‘Muslim Aikya Sangham (Organization for Muslim Unity) ’’. But it was in 1924, following the establishment of a body comprised of scholars called Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulema (KJU), that the Islahi Movement acquired an organizational setup and began functioning systematically in Kerala.

Islahi scholars were also known leaders of freedom struggle, determined to drive out the foreign rulers from India, besides attempting spiritual and social rejuvenation of the Muslim community. Sanaulla Makthi Thangal, K. M. Jamaluddin Moulavi, Chalilakath Kunhahammed Haji, and Vakkom Abdul Qadar Moulavi were some of the scholars who have worked towards this goal. Leaders like Mohammed Abdul Rahman Sahib, E. K. Moidu Moulavi and K. M. Seethi Sahib upheld true Islamic spirit and prompted every individual of the society to do their duty to their homeland by participating in the Indian freedom struggle movement.

Islahi scholars had initially identified that one of the basic requirements of the Muslim community during those days was educational reform, and they set up an Education Board to work towards this goal. Under this board, Madrasas, or religious schools, were started in various parts of the state in a meticulous way with modern amenities, and these ‘madrassas’ are different from those exist in northern part of India.

It is an observation that the inspiration behind the establishment of major educational institutions in Kerala including a number of Arabic colleges, arts and science colleges, technical institutes, and schools was actually the activities if the Islahi movement.

The initiation of delivering Friday sermons (Juma Khutuba) in local language, Malayalam, was another step taken by the movement. It encouraged women’s education and their attendance in mosques, published Qur’an translations and religious books in Malayalam, and started the centralized distribution of Zakat fund to the poor and needy.

They have established orphanages in various parts of the state, and conducted campaigns against dowry, and other social evils. Through their books, magazines, and public speeches, the Islahi movement asked the Muslim public to distance themselves from Bida’a (innovations in the religion), to stick to the principles of Islam, and to follow ‘Sunnah’ (teachings of Muhammad). Establishment of 'Qur'an Learning Schools (QLS)' in almost every part of north and central Kerala was considered to be a major activity carried out by the movement