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On arriving at Malabar, the Arab travelers who had travelled with Cheraman Perumal, built mosques at Koylandi, Ezhumala, Kodungallur, Porakkavur, Mangalapuram. Later they also built in Kasargode, Shrikandapuram, Dharmapatnam and Chaliyam. From there, Malik bin Dinar, Malik bin Habib and friends arrived at Kollam.

After a staying for some period, Malik bin Dinar and a group left for Shehr Muqalla. They passed away on 825 A.D., according to some historians, or on 831 A.D., according to others. Zainudhin Makhdum opines that it took place in 2nd century A.H. and in 7th century A.D.

The Arab travelers returning from Ceylon landed at Malabar and introduced the religion of Islam to the resident Arabs (who had come earlier). Following their conversion to Islam, the king of that place also embraced Islam. This incident happened at the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphate (Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Umar al-Farooq, Uthman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib- Allah be pleased with them.) or at the beginning of Umayyad rule.

Akbar Khan has mentioned this in his book. He continues, ‘the king of Sarandeep (Ceylon) was a Muslim’. Following Sarandeep, Islam also spread to Mahaldeep, Lakshadeep and Malabar. It is via these areas that Islam spread in South India, nay, India as a whole. Islam had reached Sind, Punjab etc. only after these countries accepted Islam. (This is as how understood from the writers like Abul Qasim Firishta).

Taking notice of the spread of Islam, the Sarandeep king felt that it would be better to remain a king under an Islamic Caliph. So he sent a delegation accompanied with many gifts to the then governor of the Caliph, Hajjaj bin Yousuf. Among them were many Arab widows and orphans. As they reached the coast of Oman, the wind started to blow against them.

They reached a hostile land ruled by the governor of King Dihr. When Hajjaj bin Yousuf came to know of the seizure of ship, he sent a letter to the king for liberating them. But the letter did no good. Therefore, he sent his men under the able and dynamic general, Muhammad bin Qasim to save the captured ship. Dahir lost the battle and Sind fell to the rule of Muhammad bin Qasim. Although Islam had already reached there, the Islamic rule was established only through Ibn Qasim.

(Note: This is an abridged version of an essay written by the late Grand Qazi of Calicut, Syed Imbichi Koya Thangal, a prominent historian, who had correspondence with major Arab scholars.)

‘Today is the sound continuation of Yesterday’

The flowers of past used to blossom in Imam’s gatherings. These moments tied present with the past. He was particular that ‘Today was the sound continuation of yesterday’. Today’s daybreak acquired its light from the fading light of yesterday’s twilight. History is not meager tales of past events. It is the breathing force of yesterday’s men and society. It infuses action in the conscience of present. Even the Holy Book could not ignore History.

It was not merely intended to narrate tales of past rather to teach a moral to the future generations. ‘They have all passed by. They received the reward for their deeds. You too will be rewarded for your deeds.’ Who other than prophets will hoist the flag of truth in the battle of good and evil? There will be no civilizations based on social justice. Without Moses (as), there is no Israel. Without Ibrahim (as), there is no history for the monotheistic Arabia or its heritage.

Without Muhammad Mustafa , there is no past or present for earth or humanity. Neither is future. Similarly, how can one imagine the French Revolution without Voltaire or Russo? Or communism without Marx? Or Indian freedom without Gandhi? Or American independence without George Washington? It would be impossible to think of it.

Muslim Politics without PMSA Pookoya

Thinking along the same lines, one cannot imagine of Muslim Kerala or its cherished political voice, Muslim League, without its illustrious architect, PMSA Pookoya Thangal.

Thoughts ran wild across the colleges and madrassas, mosques and orphanages spread across the towns and villages, the processions made by the community in its struggle for survival, the green flag with a crescent at its heart… finally reaching the Kodappanakkal residence. It proceeded to the rear side of the Panakkad Juma’ Masjid. This is where even the silence whispers: allahummarhum hu rahmatan wasi’a

Who was Syed PMSA Pookoya ?

Who was PMSA Pookoya Thangal? The asylum for the deprived ones, the mediator of conflicts and disputes, the architect of numerous institutions, an incessant patron of religious education and a great political revolutionary, but these designations do not complete his personality. His role is inseparable from the reawakening of the community in the economic, social, cultural and political aspects.

The refuge for the broken hearted

But PMSA Pookoya Thangal had another world of his own; in midst of these titles he did not forget the humane part of living. He did not forget the individual in the society. He paid special attention to the worries and tribulations of the individual. He heard separately their whispers in midst of the busy social life. Perhaps it was Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi who was his predecessor in this aspect. The saint of Delhi was a breeze of mercy to the deprived ones. It is a notable fact that both were children of the same family who lived under different times. Their roots meet with one another while tracing back to their ancestors – The Holy Prophet .

The noble sage

Syed Pookoya was mentor of spiritual purity. But he never tried to establish his own order. His life is a lesson for those who try to wound religion and its laws by establishing their own methods. Blessed with immense popularity, with people struggling to have a mere glimpse, with followers ready to obey every letter in command and most of all a personality endowed with the blessing of ijabat (answer) for prayer. Yet he never attempted to formulate any theories inside or outside the sharia’. A good part of his life was concentrated on developing mosques and madrassas. These two are important for sharia to prevail in the society. This paradigm remains the blessing of the Panakkad family. Through generations, its descendants keep this practice alive. Perhaps it was the depth of his inner self that made Syed Pookoya entitled to this position. He was particular in cherishing his inner life in midst of the busy public life. His prayers stirred each vein in the body. He was full of prayers.

“Is there any heart that does not ruminate over his prayers?” Someone asked from the gathering. No. This land and its inhabitants cannot forget its living legend- Syed Pookoya.

A memorable moment

One disciple remembered his childhood incident: ‘a marvelous morning it was. The old veranda of the Kodappanakkal residence. In the room besides, a radiant form stood leaning on the bedside. A handkerchief lay folded. And a moonlit smile on the face. The words of dua came flowing silently like a calm river. The pearls of Holy Quran and Hadith shone in between. A blessed moment when he ran his fingers across the hair on head. I wished to remain a child forever.

The leader with the mandate of millions

Syed Pookoya who, loved and was loved by millions, was the dearest hero of masses. The roots of Muslim League grew on a popular level. He foresaw critical issues like female education in the society. He walked ahead of time.

Binding Past with the present

Who was Syed Pookoya Thangal? The question repeated itself in the gathering. Imam’s silence contained the answer. Syed Pookoya was the power of silence and the power of harmony. He tied tradition with modernity. He was the guide who led the Ummah on the past of the progress without breaching ties with the past and traditions. Today’s success also depends on the same approach, i.e., binding past with the present.

An essay by Abdus Samad Samadani. Translated by Jaihoon

Kerala has contributed much into the development of Arabic language and literature. The Arabs had come directly to Kerala for spreading Islam and as such Arabic language is evident here in its real form. Many Arab travelers and scholars have praised the Keralites’ way of pronunciation.

Arabic was given great prominence in the syllabi of the religious schools. Ponnani was an important center of learning.

A prescribed system of graduation was prevalent in those days. Vazhakkad was another important center of Madrassas. Kerala has also produced many writers of fame. The most notable of them was of course Zainudhin Makhdum, the author of Thuhfathul Mujahideen. His treatise on Shafi’te Jurisprudence, Fathul Mueen, became textbook in Egyptian universities. Umar Qazi and Noorani were excellent Arabic poets.

In the modern era, Arabic is taught at university levels including post graduation. Different organizations run colleges and schools for the promotion of Arabic language. It was mainly due to the efforts of C.H. Mohammed Koya, that Arabic began to enjoy an academic status at government expense.

The spiritual head of Malabar, honorable Panakkad Syed Muhammad Ali Shihab Thangal, is himself well versed in Arabic. There are associations formed by Arabic teaching lecturers for the promotion of the language.

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Sheikh Zainudhin Makhdum I, son of Ahmed bin Ma’bari, was born in 872 A.H at Cochin. He established the renowned Ponnani Juma’ Masjid. He was a Sufi saint, a patriot and a great scholar especially of the Hadith literature. The ruler used to pay high respect for this saint.

The parties are seated more closer. Their hands are held together by the honorable Syed. He recites the clause of consent, which both the boy and the in-law repeats… Shihab Thangal conducting a nikah