Sufism in Kerala

Language: English
Pages: 133


About The Book

Even I.H. Qureshi maintained the wrong impression of the complete absence of Sufism in 'South India', and the question of any attempt to study the Sufi elements did not arise as the Dhothi wearing non-Urdu-speaking Mappila did not have any separate identity other than 'Madrasi'. Even Richard Maxwel Eaton writing on Sufis of Bijapur could only quote Annemerie Schimmel's words on the mystic poem of a 'certain Zain ai-Din'. Although Athar Abbas Rizvi ain his exhaustive work on 'History of Sufism in India (1978) has given a small appendix on 'The Sufism of South Indian Coast and Islands.' Being the first ever published notes of Sufism in Kerala by a modern researcher, it is limited only to Ibn Battuta's reference of Kazeruni Sufis.

 

Preface

A Research Scholar who studies the social formation of Muslims of Kerala comes across many facts dormant and non-existent among Muslim, communities in other parts of the country. Even the absence of some of the factors like a Muslim dynasty to extent patronage to Ulema and keep them under surveillance is significant. That is why the Ulema, Sufis and Sayyids here did not form an aristocracy as part of nobility. They lived as pious and dedicated leaders of masses who were held in high esteem and led the people in thick and thin.

This study on Sufism in Kerala was undertaken on the advice of my respected teacher late Prof. Khaliq Ahmad Nizami. Sitting in his class on Sufism I could conceive existence of Sufi elements among Muslims of Kerala. As all the non-Urdu speaking Muslims are classified as 'Madrasi' in North India, no enquiry for a Muslim cultural identity was made. Lack of Persian sources kept off Brit