By Ashiq C. K
Islam first came to India in the Arabian peninsula, Kerala, the southernmost state of India, where Muslims constitute one fourth of its total population. The Muslims of Kerala continue to stride forward with ground breaking achievements and contribution to the advancement of the society. Historical documents of Archeological Survey of India unfold the presence of Arab missionaries that comprised the holy companions of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) in paving the way for Islam to this agrarian and mostly pastoral land. Kerala has witnessed many ups and downs in terms of living conditions but this has never affected the communal harmony of the land.
Muslims of Kerala have managed to place themselves in the upfront of the mainstream society because of their active involvement in the democratic practices of modern times and at the same time assimilating the local culture that has always existed.
The Muslim community here has kept its strong bonds of Islam alive and in consonance with the Arab countries where many a Kerala Muslim has gone in pursuit of livelihood. However the unique nature of the Islam followed by the Muslims of Kerala is that they have not totally severed the ties with the local traditions even though they have imported other cultures pertaining to education, living style, politics and Sufi style of Islamic practice. Notably no basic practices of Islam including mandatory rituals of high accuracy (Like Namaz, Jummah and Congregations) have been compromised by the local scholars.
The peculiarity of the Kearla society as a whole lies in its traditionalist way of life tinged with modernity in its appearance. The same dual concept of socio cultural being consciously followed and maintained by the Muslim community helmed by its leaders who also strongly believe in this concept.
Roughly saying Syed Abdurahiman Bafaqy , a descendant of Prophet (PBUH) having Yemeni lineage the modern architect of this community has a strong influence on the Muslims of Kerala in all walks of life including power politics and socio-cultural engagements. The religious body ‘Samatha Kerala Jamiyyatul Ulema’, the champion of traditionalist stream of Islam clubbed with modern sophistication, showcases its vernacular sense in the name itself which is a blend of both Arabic and Malayalam (Local) languages. The vernacular version of Arabic language (Arabimalayalam) is used widely among the Muslims of Kerala starting from the mid of 16th century for religious communications and practices.
Arabimalayalam is a meaningful combination of Malayalam sounds and Arabic alphabets adding some variants to suit the basic form of Arabic language. In short, it is written in Arabic with some additional alphabets but read in Malayalam.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is the mainstream political platform with a majority of Muslims in the state rallying behind it. IUML has been committedly involved from a long time in building communal harmony and also engaged in a lot of philanthropic activities.
IUML is totally indebted for its popularity among the Muslims of Kerala to the sacrifices endured by Syed Abdurahiman Bafaqy and his efforts to upgrade Muslim society which was trailing behind due to its political invisibility and educational deprivation. Syed Bafaqy lead the community by establishing educational institutes ranging from primary to University levels. The number of madrassas under Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulema exceed ten thousand. The staunch support given by Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulema to the efforts of mobilizing Muslims has made Bafaqy’s path to success a smooth one. The History of Kerala Muslims has marked Syed Bafaqy as its king maker for his symbolic coronation of PMSA Pookoya thangal as the chieftain of IUML with whom the Muslim masses are emotionally affiliated. They admire his piety and the Sufi life he leads. PMSA Pokkoya thangal was succeeded by his son Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab in the presidency of IUML which obtained the second position among the parties of coalition state government.
The regional religious rituals have been shaped by eminent Islamic scholars like Imam Maqdum of Ponnani. Imam Maqdum has been instrumental in ensuring the local Islamic rituals of Kerala such as Moulid and Malappatu were practiced.
Moulid eulogizes the prophets and their companions who are highly revered and those from Sufi backgrounds while Malappatu is a collection of lyrics sung in group on special occasions followed by distribution of sweets to the gathering. Some of the songs are compiled based on the braveness of Sufi women like Nafeesathul misiya and Rabiyatul Adawiya.
This unique blend of Kerala Muslim and their unity under one leader puts aside any shadows of insecurity that might creep in.