ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 THE ADVENT OF ISLAM IN SOUTH TRAVANCORE Dr. A. ABDUL AZEEZ, M.A., M.Phil., B.Ed., SET, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Sadakathullah Appa College, Rahmath Nagar, Tirunelveli–11. Email : [email protected] ABSTRACT The research paper entitled "The Advent of Islam in South Travancore' is an attempt to analyse and discuss the growth of I slam in the present Kanyakumari District. The arguments are supported through evidences gathered on the basis of personal visits and a study carried out in the important Islamic centres of Kanyakumari District. The word ‘Islam’, is derived from 'aslama' meaning to resign oneself. The leading doctrine of Islam is the belief in one all powerful Allah, which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) firmly established. The Holy Quran is accepted as a revelation from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (SAL) and hence forms the basis of all Islamic teachings.1 Keywords : Islam, Arabs, Muhammed, Kayalpatanam and Kanyakumari INTRODUCTION The advent of Islam in this region has been a favourite topic of study for many historians. While some historians and archaeologists opine that Islam came here during the ninth and tenth centuries A.D., certain others argue that Islam came here much earlier.2 According to Ibrahim Kunju, trade link existed between the Malabar coast and Arabia even before the establishment of the Roman Empire3. Ibnu Rustah, the Arab geographer argues that even before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAL) the Indian ships used to sail upto Al Madain which was on the shores of the river Tigris.4 Another reason for the present argument is that Kerala being rich in spices it should have attracted Arab traders in large numbers. Thus when these traders learnt the message of their Prophet Muhammad (SAL) they might have attempted to preach their religion in Kerala, the place of their trade.5 The first Muslim fleet reached the Indian waters near Tana,6 during the period of caliph Umar (Rali) in 636 AD. Another popular theory is related to the Travancore King Cheraman Perumal who was converted to Islam during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (sal). Nagam Aiya has mentioned the conversion of Cheraman Perumal to Islam in his work.7 King Cheraman Perumal was the last of the Chera Kings who ruled over Kerala. When a group of Arabs led by Sheik Saharudeen landed at Kodungallur,8 the people took them to the King. These Arabs gave the message of Islam to the King. Cheraman Perumal was attracted towards the new doctrine of Islam.9 As these Arabs were actually bound for Ceylon they proceeded with their journey and returned to the King only to take him to Arabia. The King embraced Islam in the presence of Prophet Muhammad (sal) and renamed himself Abdul Rahman Samiri.10 On the way back Abdur Rahman Samiri passed away at Zufar on the Arabian Coast. However the two ships proceeded without any break with the letter of introduction from the deceased King. One ship with Malik Ibnu Deenar landed at Kodungallur, 11 the other landed at Kayalpatnam.12 Kayalpatnam is an ancient historical city of India. It lies in the southeast of Indian peninsula on the shore of Bay of Bengal. It is a Muslim dominated town situated in Thoothukudi district. The Arabs settled in Kayalpatnam as early as 633 A.D. 13 The first settlers who were from Mecca and Medina landed here during the period of First Caliph Abubackar. When the first Arab settlers entered Kayal the Pandyan Kingdom was ruled by Kadungon. The first Arab settlers chose the pleasant Khosmarai area which was the heart of the Kayal as their home. In ancient times this place was called Kayal and not Kayalpatnam. They constructed the first mosque near the seashore and named it Kadal Karai Palli and the stone inscription found in it is a valuable source for the study. The second settlement of Arabs took place at Volome 8, Issue 8, August 2019 134 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 Kayalpatnam in 842 AD (Hijiri 227). During the rule of Al-wattiq (842AD) under the leadership of Muhammad Khalji (Rah) sailed in ships and reached the present Kayalpatnam which was then called Kayal.14 Malik Ibnu Deenar, the first renowned Muslim missionary in Kerala made Kodungallur his spiritual centre and sent his son Malik Muhammad as its leader. When this group reached Thiruvithamcode two km away from Thuckalay he gave the adaan (call for the prayer) and offered the prayer. The prince of this state, the son of King Cheraman Perumal, Kolega, who was hunting in this place, heard the call and rushed to the spot. He enquired and they showed the letter from the King, his father. He immediately marked the bounds for the construction of a mosque in this place.15 It is believed that the name Thiruvithamcode is derived from "adaankodu" to which the prefix 'thiru' was added later. The town was called 'adaankodu' as the kodu (line, boundary) was drawn on hearing the adaan (call for the prayer). Malik Muhammad himself managed this mosque and he was the first to spread Islam in this region.16 The point to be noted here is that even though the Kanyakumari district was a strong hold of the various religious sects Islam was accepted by the people with eagerness. The conversion of Cheraman Perumal must have accelerated the spread of Islam in this region.17 Needless to say that these Arabs preached their religion and it spread to Thiruvithamcode which in ancient times was a centre of Muslim trade. 18 Islam spread to Colachel, Thengaipatnam, Aloor and in all these places mosques were built. His father Malik lbnu Deenar led the first congregation in these mosques. When Malik Muhammad (Rali) died, he was buried at Thiruvithamcode. 19 His anniversary is celebrated every year during the 22nd day of Rabiul Awwal (the third month of Islamic Calendar) and is attended by many people from Kanyakumari and other neighbouring districts. Many others took up the mission of Malik Muhammad across the ages. Sayyid Bavakasim from Baghdad came to Kottar in the beginning of the 8th Century and he lies buried in Vembadi Mosque, Kottar. Another spiritual scholar Gananiyar Sahib who preached Islamic philosophy is buried in Kottar. Similarly Sheik Noorudeen who preached Islamic way of life in different places of Kanyakumari district lies buried in _Thiruvithamcode. The popular saint Thuckalay Peer Muhammad Appa, whose Tamil poems are recited by the common man even today also preached the oneness of God in Islam in this area. He is laid to rest at Thuckalay. The popular Tamil poet, Aali Pulavar, propagated Islam through his teachings. Hazrath Sahul Hameed, the sufi saint who is popular all over Tamil Nadu, came to this region to propagate the Islamic faith and he lies buried in Nagoor. The poet Kunchu Moosa of Thengaipattinam and Sadavathani Sheik Thambi Pavalar too have dedicated their lives for the cause of Islam in this region. The missionary service of saints, the support of native rulers and eagerness and the encouragement of the people were behind the spread of Islam in their region.20 Although we have confined our study to a particular area, no movement can confine itself to such a man- made or researcher made boundary. This observation is a commonism in history. However it is stated here only to emphasise the fact that all over the present state of Tamil Nadu so many events have taken place. And the influence of the happenings outside the present Kanyakumari district was felt very strongly in the district under our study. This statement underlines the fact that social events that make history have both a synchronic and diachronic continuity. The dispute between the Jains and Saivites in the 8th and 9th centuries resulted in the common man turning towards Islam. During the 10th century the religious saint and reformer Nathar Shah who was laid to rest in Trichy worked actively to take Islam to the doors of the common man. During the beginning of the 11th century the rulers of the sultanate of Madurai and the Pandiya kings favoured the growth of Islam. During the 12th century Tahiudeen Abdur Rahman was sent as an ambassador by the Persian King Malikul Islam to Kayalpattinam. His visit strengthened the growth of Islam here. His grandson who also had a missionary zeal succeeded him as ambassador. Sultan Sayed Ibrahim Saheed Waliullah of Medina, Saudi Arabia, with his Kith and kin reached Keelakarai with the intention of serving the people during the end of the 12th century. He died here in 1207 and thereby extending his religious services to the 13th century too. However, from the 13th to the 16th century a number of Muslim Kings and their representatives ruled over various parts of Tamil Nadu. Malik Gafoor’s visit to Madurai in the 14th century boosted the morale of the Muslims of this region. During the 15th Century a great sufi saint and reformer Nagoor Sahul Hameed Badusha Volome 8, Issue 8, August 2019 135 http://adalyajournal.com/ ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746 toured all over Tamil Nadu. He gathered a lot of followers here. The role of Aali Pulavar during the end of the 16th century, the role of Omar pulavar, Thakkalai Peer Mohammed Appa, Seethakathi and Sheik Sadakathullah Appa during the 17th century must be mentioned here. Gunangudi Mastan sahib, Sheikana Pulavar and Gnaniyar Appa too refused Islam through their scholarship and literary works in the 18th century. Since the 18th century the role of the Ulema, Arabic scholars, establishment of hundreds of Arabic colleges and schools and an increasing number of mosques have been responsible for the flourishing of Islam in all its aspects in this region.