Indo-Arab relationship is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to around 3000 years. The peacocks and elephant’s tusk were brought to the King Solomon’s palace from Tharshish, thought to be the port of Kodungallur.

The Christians of Kerala believe that St. Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, came to Kerala followed by many groups. They had arrived here from Eddisa, a part of Syria and which later became Turkey’s. It was the ‘Taghlubu’ clan that lived there. They were Christians before embracing Islam. Thus, it is not wrong to suppose that the early St. Thomas Christians who arrived here were Arabs.

Many usages in the religious life of Syrian Christians are in Arabic or in the modified form. For example, Rabban, Sleeb (saleeb) = Cross, Qabar, Kaviar (Kaafir) = unbeliever.

The Arabs had started trading with India long before the advent of Islam. The Quraysh tribe had established direct commercial ties with India. They were distributing the Indian goods brought by Omani sailors to the Yemeni ports. The goods finally reached the Europeans via the Arabs. In Chapter 106, the Holy Quran makes a reference to the trade habits of the Quraysh in summer and winter. In winter, they traveled to Yemen for buying the Indian goods. In summer, they sold them in Syria. While returning, they also bought European goods for selling them in Yemen. These goods finally reached India and China. The Arabs mainly bought perfume from India.

Teak was the chief wood bought. The pillars of Holy Ka’aba (at Makkah) were made of Teak wood. The Teak tree grows plenty in Kerala and Burma. The wood was also exported in large quantities to Ras Al Khaimah, Kuwait and Basra.

Islam and Christianity reached India as a result of the commercial ties between the two countries. The relationship further extended to cultural and political spheres also.

The land of Sind had already become part of the Caliphate by the beginning of 8th century AD. Some of the Arabic words also found their way into Malayalam like Thakaraaru (takraar), Baaki (Baaqi) (remaining), Talook (Ta’lluq) (contact), Muncif etc. It was a give and take relationship.

Some words of Indian languages also entered Arabic language. Sanjabeel- (ginger) – the word originates from Srinji; Misk- (perfume)- originates from Sanskrit Masheeka; Kafoor (Camphor)- Karpooram (Malayalam). Out of these, Holy Quran has used Sanjabeel, Misk and Kafoor. The Arabs’ greatest contribution are ‘Hind and Malabar’. In old Hindu religious texts, this country was called Bharat.

But it was the Persians who called it India and Arabs popularized it. The word ‘Hind’ originates from Sind. Sanskrit and Persian belong to the same group of languages. The ‘S’ of Sanskrit becomes ‘H’ in Persian. The Europeans later changed Hind to India. However the Arabs still refer India as Hind. The most popular slogan on Indian soil, ‘Jai Hind’ is a contribution of Arabs. The word Malabar is also a composite of Mala (Malayalam word for mountains) and the Persian word, ‘baar’ which means land.

The Indo Arab ties entered a new dimension with the discovery of the black gold. The flow of petro-dollars attracted many for earning their livelihood. The modern world has more to say on that.

Summarized from an essay by Prof. T. Abdul Azeez. The title has been changed from the original one.

Bhakti Movement: The influence of Islam on India

According to Tarachand, a prominent historian, the greatest influence of Islam on Indian history was the belief in the Unity of God. Bhakti Movement was the product of such an influence. Bhakti movement was propounded by Chaitanya, Namadeva, Tukaram, Jayadeva. The movement’s major achievement was its abolition of idol worship.

The historian says that this was possible via the efforts the followers of Prophet.

Summarized from the speech of Abdus Samad Samadani, Road to Madina.