The Arain community is believed to be of Arab origin, having arrived in India in 712 AD (92 AH) with Mohammad ibn Qasim. This theory has been widely accepted and proven through extensive historical research.
Mohammad ibn Qasim attacked India on the orders of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf during the Umayyad Caliphate’s expansion. The Muslim army included soldiers, professionals, and scholars, who established colonies and spread Islam through moral conduct and preaching, converting many to Islam.
First Research on the History of Arains:
In 1919, Mohammad Akbar Ali Sufi researched the history of the Arain community and wrote about it in his book Saleem al-Tawarikh. He introduced the al-Raee Theory, which says that the Arains are Arabs, descendants of Shaikh Saleem al-Raee, who was a shepherd and a caretaker. His family is connected to the Quraysh tribe and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the sixth generation. Saleem al-Raee’s son, Habib al-Raee, was a famous saint known for his miracles and goodness.
Habib’s son, Shaikh Haleem al-Raee, came to India with Mohammad ibn Qasim to spread Islam. After Qasim’s death, the family faced many difficulties under the new rulers. They decided to stay in India, became farmers, and continued teaching Islam.
Some people questioned the al-Raee Theory, saying the family tree didn’t match the timeline. But Akbar Ali explained in a beautiful way:
“Sometimes in a generation the children are born earlier, then they are married earlier at a young age as well. Consequently, their offspring are also born earlier and then their weddings also take place early and so on and so forth. Eventually, this generation will then grow rapidly and their generations will change more in less time”
Other Researches:
- Ariha Theory:
Suggests Arains are Arab warriors from Ariha, Syria.
Critics say Arabs don’t change tribal names, and other Arab groups kept their original names. - Aal-e-Zorain Theory:
Arains are said to be from a Qehtanite Arab family called Zorain. Critics argue there’s no proof of Arab attacks on India before Islam or Zorain’s link to Qasim’s army. - Other Theories:
- Arya Theory: Arains are linked to Arya people because the names sound alike. No proof supports this.
- Iranian Theory: Claims Arains came from Iran, but they don’t share culture or history.
- Jewish Theory: Says Arains are like Jews because both grew vegetables. This is too simple and not logical.
- Rajput Theory: Suggests Arains are Rajputs, but no Arain calls themselves that.
- Hindu Theory: Links Arains to a Hindu tribe called Arayan Sama. There’s no evidence for this.
The al-Raee Theory is the strongest and most trusted explanation. Other ideas are either guesses or don’t match history.
