First Muslim To Bring Islam In India-Malik Deenar

An Old Photograph of the Mosque

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Malik Deenar, the first follower of Prophet Muhammad to arrive in India, deserves more awareness. His popularity is somewhat restricted to Kerala whereas he should have been a household name among the Muslims of entire South Asia. The historians differ whether Deenar was a ‘Sahabi’ (companion) of the Holy Prophet or a Taabaeen(Successor of companions), it is widely accepted that he died in 123 AH at Kasaragod and he lies buried at the Juma Mosque in Thalangara. He hailed from Sijistan or Kabul. His father was a Persian slave. Deenar did not stay much at his native place and moved to Basra where he became a disciple of mystic Hasan al Basri.

Deenar devoted his himself to the study of traditions. He learnt Hadiths (Traditions) from Basri and led a very austere life. Deenar earned his livelihood by writing the Holy Quran. In his life time, he also reportedly met Abdullah Ibn Abbas and Imam Maliki. Both Malik Ibn Abbas and Ibn Sirin have called him a very pious and reliable traditionalist.  

Renovated Malik Deenar Mosque

The mosque is built in the typical Kerala style architecture and one of the best kept and most attractive in Kasaragod. Intricate carvings in Arabic can be seen on the wooden beams and pillars of the mosque. The mosque details its history of construction in Arabic on the latticed woodwork. History credits Deenar as being the first to being Islam on Indian soil. In 624 AD, he and twelve of his trade associates landed in Kerala. Their mission was not just to trade but to propagate Islam as well. His mission is well-documented. He constructed mosques in many parts of Kerala. Some historians call him as Malik Ibn Deenar and disapprove the spreading of Islam in Prophet’s lifetime in India. They describe him as a Sufi saint and a disciple of Hassan of Basra. The other historians say “ it is crystal clear his biography that  he never visited Kerala. The real head of the well-known mission was Malik Deenar. He was the companion the Prophet and the cousin of king Malik bin Habeeb, who was an eye witness of famous miracle of moon splitting There is no bin between Malik and Deenar. Deenar may be the surname given by natives as a sign of honor. History reveals three arrivals of Malik Deenar. Firstly, he came under the leadership of Malik bin Habeeb in a mission that caused the conversion of Hindu King Cheraman Permal and his journey to Makka. 

 Second time, he arrived with the letter of Perumal, in (21 H.E). In this period, he constructed mosques and returned to Arabia. There he had to encounter insufferable political turmoil, unrest and instability. He witnessed the brutality of newly emerged extremist sects of Islam that led to his return to Kerala. Umar bin Suhrawardi, the author of ‘Rihlat al Mulk’ writes that Malik Deenar had passed away when he reached Kasaragod. Despite differences in opinion, it can be safely said that Malik played a significant role in propagation of Islam in South Asia and its makes no difference to his contribution whether he was a merchant or Saint. More research can be undertaken to unravel the mystery surrounding the life of Malik Deenar. The local people hold him in high esteem as a saint with miraculous powers and are least bothered about his history. They celebrate their Urs (Death Anniversary) with much fanfare.    

References:

1.  Al-Dhahabi, Siyar a`lam al-nubala', vol. 5, p. 362.

2.   Al-Hujwiri, "Kashf al-Mahjoob", 89

3.   Ibn Nadim, "Fihrist", 1037

4.  Bahadur C Gopalan, Malayalttile Mappilamar

5.  Rihlat al Mulk
6-Photo Courtesy:Google Images