Cheraman Juma Masjid
Encyclopedia
Cheraman Juma Masjid is a mosque
in Methala
, Kodungallur Taluk in the India
n state of Kerala
. The Cheraman Masjid is said to be the very first mosque in India, built in 629 AD by Malik lbn Dinar. But, according to Nathan Katz, the accuracy of these claims is uncertain. It is believed that this mosque was first renovated and reconstructed in the 11th century AD. Many non-Muslims conduct initiation ceremonies to the world of letters of their children here.
Kerala Vyasan Kunhikuttan Thampuran is of the opinion that an old Buddha temple was gifted to the Muslims to establish a mosque. Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia
and the Indian subcontinent
were active. Even before Islam
had been established in Arabia, Arab traders visited the Malabar region
, which was a major link between the port
s of South
and Southeast Asia
. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went. Numerous Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala accepted the principles of the new religion and converted to Islam. King Rama Varma Kulashekhara is alleged to be the first convert to Islam in India based on a popular Muslim legend.
The legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Sahaba
(companions) visited Kodungallur. An unknown Chera
ruler witnessed a miraculous happening — the sudden splitting of the moon
, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad — and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, Perumal traveled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajudeen. On his way back to India he died at Salalah
in the Sultanate of Oman
. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar
and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.
The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People of all religions bring oil for the lamp as offering. This is one of the few mosques in Kerala which allows entry for people of other religions.
using brass oil lamps. The rosewood
pulpit, from where the imam recites the Friday Jumu'ah, is covered with carvings. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Makkah.
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
in Methala
Methala
Methala is a census town in Thrissur district in the Indian state of Kerala. Methala has been added to Kodungallur Municipality on November 11, 2009-Demographics:...
, Kodungallur Taluk in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. The Cheraman Masjid is said to be the very first mosque in India, built in 629 AD by Malik lbn Dinar. But, according to Nathan Katz, the accuracy of these claims is uncertain. It is believed that this mosque was first renovated and reconstructed in the 11th century AD. Many non-Muslims conduct initiation ceremonies to the world of letters of their children here.
History
Kerala Vyasan Kunhikuttan Thampuran is of the opinion that an old Buddha temple was gifted to the Muslims to establish a mosque. Since ancient times, trade relations between Arabia
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
and the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
were active. Even before Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
had been established in Arabia, Arab traders visited the Malabar region
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
, which was a major link between the port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
s of South
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. With the advent of Islam, the Arab merchants became carriers of the new religion and they propagated it wherever they went. Numerous Indians living in the coastal areas of Kerala accepted the principles of the new religion and converted to Islam. King Rama Varma Kulashekhara is alleged to be the first convert to Islam in India based on a popular Muslim legend.
The legend has it that a group of Muhammad's Sahaba
Sahaba
In Islam, the ' were the companions, disciples, scribes and family of the Islamic prophet...
(companions) visited Kodungallur. An unknown Chera
Chera dynasty
Chera Dynasty in South India is one of the most ancient ruling dynasties in India. Together with the Cholas and the Pandyas, they formed the three principle warring Iron Age Tamil kingdoms in southern India...
ruler witnessed a miraculous happening — the sudden splitting of the moon
Splitting of the moon
The splitting of the moon was a miracle performed by Muhammad in Islamic tradition. The incident is mentioned in Muslim traditions as the context of revelation for the Qur'anic verse where some Muslim commentators accept the historicity of the miracle and some reject it..Early traditions...
, the celebrated miracle of Muhammad — and learned on inquiry that this was a symbol of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia. Soon after, Perumal traveled to Makkah, where he embraced Islam and accepted the name Thajudeen. On his way back to India he died at Salalah
Salalah
Salalah , is the capital and seat of the governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar. The population of Salalah was 197,169 in 2009....
in the Sultanate of Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
. On his deathbed he is said to have authorised some of his Arab companions to go back to his kingdom to spread Islam. Accordingly, a group of Arabs led by Malik Bin Deenar
Malik al-Dar
Malik al-Dar was a Sahabah, one of the companions and close disciples of Muhammad, known better in India than in Arabia. He was born in c.613 and credited with having a long life. He was Umar ibn al-Khattab's freedman. Malik al-Dar had two sons- Awn and `Abd Allah...
and Malik bin Habib arrived in north Kerala and constructed the Cheraman Juma Masjid at Kodungalloor.
The mosque has an ancient oil lamp which always burns and which is believed to be more than a thousand years old. People of all religions bring oil for the lamp as offering. This is one of the few mosques in Kerala which allows entry for people of other religions.
Architecture
The mosque is built in the traditional Hindu architectural styleHindu temple architecture
India's temple architecture developed from the sthapathis' and shilpis' creativit, but n general these are from the Vishwakarma . A small Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, in which the image is housed, often circumambulation, a congregation hall, and...
using brass oil lamps. The rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
pulpit, from where the imam recites the Friday Jumu'ah, is covered with carvings. A block of white marble in the mosque is believed to have been brought from Makkah.