The Role of Institutionalized Sanad Conferment and Ijaza Titles in Reshaping Islamic Higher Education in Malabar

Abstract

This study examines the traditional Islamic higher education system in Malabar, focusing on the peculiarities of granting religious titles and sanad conferment as a mechanism for preserving scholarly authenticity and intellectual lineage. It explores how personalized religious titles such as Musliyar, Mudarris, transformed into institutionalized degree systems influenced by external institutions, such as Al Azhar, Cairo, Darul Uloom Deoband, and Baqiyatussalihat, Vellore. The research highlights formalized ijaza titles such as Faizy, Darimi, Rahmani, and Hudawi, reflecting a synthesis of tradition and modernity within Malabar’s Islamic pedagogy. Methodologically, the study employs a historical and contextual analysis of educational practices, degree nomenclature, and conferment ceremonies. Findings reveal that the ijaza-sanad system plays a pivotal role in linguistic modernization, pedagogical expansion and community engagement, ensuring the vitality of Islamic educating amid contemporary challenges. These insights contribute to understanding how traditional education systems sustain relevance through integration with modern academic frameworks.