History

Hazrat Syedina Malik Bin Dinar is the first follower of the Islamic prophet, Muhammed, to come to India in order to propagate Islam in the Indian Subcontinent. He was from the generation of the Sahabi. He is called a reliable traditionalist, transmitted from such authorities as Malik ibn Anas and Ibn Sirin. He was the son of a Persian slave from Kabul who became a disciple of Hasan al-Basri. He accepted Islam directly from Muhammed. He went to the Indian Subcontinent by the order of Muhammed with Tajuddeen Cheraman Perumal, who also accepted Islam.

Ten years after the arrival of Cheraman Perumal, with Muhammed's journey to heaven, the news took them all back to Medina. But a few days later Malik Ibn Habeeb came to see the sacred visage in his dream. Muhammed advised them never reject sultan’s words to carry on their mission to India as fast as they can. Muhammed added: "The journey is more useful, it will fetch many pleasant things." Hearing these holy words, they began to prepare for the journey, for that they arranged two ships. Sharaf Ibn Malik Deenar, his brother Malik Deenar, Malik Ibn Habeeb, his wife Qumariya, his children, and some slaves soon set out for Malabar. One of their ships anchored in Madurakkara (Tamil Nadu), which was called ‘Taqipatanam’ in ancient times. In that place Taqudeen became the Amir and erected there a Juma mosque. Years later, Sharaf Ibn Malik, Malik Deenar, Malik Ibn Habeeb with his family arrived in Cranganore. They, entrusted, handled the royal letters to his successors and local kings. But the news of his demise was kept secret.

Cheraman’s successors gave away lands for their accommodation, and right there they built a mosque. They had brought three precious stones from Mecca which were the remains from building of Ka’ba.

Mohammed Ibn Malik Deenar became the Qazi of this mosque. Then their residing caused dispute between Muslims and Jewish families. So, some of them settled in other places. But Malik Deenar remained right in Crananore and dispatched his nephew Malik Ibn Habeeb to various parts of Kerala to built mosques. Malik Ibn Habeeb went to Kollam with his family and properties. Right there he erected a mosque. There he put a stone which they brought from Mecca.Hasan Ibn Malik was the Qazi of that mosque. Malik Ibn Deenar nominated his own son-in-law as the ‘Sheha Bandar’ of the country. His name was Abdul Aziz Ibn Zainudin Simanai. Soon Islam became more popular in Kollam.

Thereafter, Malik Deenar went to Barakur (Udupi District) 14 and built there a mosque. He nominated his son Ibrahim as the Qazi. Later he went to Mangalapuram and built a mosque.His son, Moosa Ibn Malik was delegated as the Qazi there. His nephew Noorudhin Ali Ibn Nisidal Misri was appointed as the shaka Bandar of Manglore.Thereafter he set out for Kasaragod and made there a mosque in Thalangara 15, (Rajab 18, 22 nd Hijra). Malik Ibn Muhammad his grandson, was delegated as the Qazi of the mosque.

Later Malik Ibn Deenar stayed at ‘Heli’ for 3 days, then he went to Cherupatanam and built there a mosque. His grandson was appointed as the Qazi of the mosque.Soon he left for Darmapattanam, and built a mosque there.Malik Ibn Habbeb appointed his grandson ussain Ibn Muhammad as the Qazi and his grandson Muhammad Ibn Ahmed as its shaka Bandar. Then he went to ‘Pranthareena’ and built a mosque on this sea shore.He nominated Zainudhin Ibn Malik as the Qazi as well as the shaka Bandar of the place.

He returned to the Chaliyam and built a mosque there, and Zainudhin Ibn Muhammad was nominated as Qazi. Malik Ibn Habeeb stayed there for 5 days, and Usman Ibn Hussainul Ansari was the shaka Bandar of the place. Later he went to ‘Cranganore’ and met his uncle. Thereafter he took a journey to visit the mosque they built. And then he returned to Cranganore praising the Almighty Allah for he found Islam spreading among the atheists, he called on Malik Deenar in person and informed him of all the affairs in detail.

Hazrat Syedina Malik Bin Dinar died in 648 CE.Even though historians are yet to reach consensus on the exact place of his demise, it is widely accepted that he breathed his last at Kasaragod and his relics were buried at Malik Deenar Great Juma Masjid, Thalangara, Kasaragod.

Additional Info