Islam in South Asia

• 1. Arab Traders On The Malabar Coast

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  In the early 7th century, Arab merchant ships began arriving at the Malabar Coast of India with cargoes of dates and aromatic herbs. These traders had visited the region long before Islam emerged in Arabia, establishing trade routes that linked South Asia to Southeast Asian ports. Local communities on the western coast became as familiar with the annual arrival of these vessels as they were with the monsoon birds that flew back to Africa each year. Unlike the northwestern coasts where Hindu merchants viewed Arab arrivals as competitors, the Malabar region welcomed the new faith brought by these seafaring merchants. Many Arab men married Indian women and chose to settle permanently rather than return to their desert homes. By the early 9th century, Muslim missionaries in Malabar inspired the conversion of a local king who took the name Tajudheen during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad.

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• 2. First Mosques Built Before 630 CE

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  The Cheraman Juma Mosque in Methala, Kerala is thought to have been constructed in 629 CE under the mandate of King Perumal of Chera dynasty. Historical sources suggest this structure may be the first mosque built in India, though some historians argue for an earlier mosque in Gujarat between 610 and 623 CE. The Barwada Mosque in Ghogha, Gujarat was established before 623 CE according to available records. In Tamil Nadu, the Palaiya Jumma Palli in Kilakarai dates to approximately 630 CE. Local legends claim that mosques at Kodungallur, Kollam, Madayi, Barkur, Mangalore, Kasaragod, Kannur, Dharmadam, Panthalayini, and Chaliyam were all built during the era of Malik Dinar. These structures are among the oldest mosques in the entire Indian subcontinent. According to tradition, Malik Dinar died at Thalangara in Kasaragod town.

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• 3. Shia Influence In Sindh And Jats

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  Hakim ibn Jabalah al-Abdi traveled through Sind to Makran in 649 CE as a companion of Muhammad who reported on the region to the Caliph. This devoted supporter of Ali ibn Abu Talib died fighting alongside Sindhi Jats in the Battle of the Camel. During Ali's leadership period, numerous Jats in Sindh embraced Islam under the influence of officers like Harith ibn Murrah al-Abdi and Sayfi ibn Fil' al-Shaybani from Ali's army. In 658 CE these officers led campaigns against Sindhi bandits, pursuing them as far as Al-Qiqan which is modern-day Quetta. Some Jats even participated in the Battle of Camel and died fighting for Ali according to historical accounts. Popular tradition states that Islam was brought to Lakshadweep islands by Ubaidullah in 661 CE with his grave believed located on the island of Andrott.

• 4. Sufi Orders Integrated Agriculture

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  Richard M. Eaton has described how Sufis played an important role integrating agricultural settlements with larger contemporary cultures across West Punjab and East Bengal. These areas developed into regions where Muslim majorities eventually formed after centuries of settlement patterns. Sufis did not preach egalitarianism but served as mediators between worldly and divine authority when they received grants and supervised clearing of forestry lands. The overwhelming majority of South Asia's Muslims now live in regions that became Pakistan during the 1947 partition. This geographic concentration resulted from historical settlement patterns rather than systematic conquest programs. Islamic ambitions of sultans and Mughals had concentrated on expanding power and looting instead of seeking converts systematically.

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• 5. Faraizi Movement Reform Efforts

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  The Faraizi movement emerged in nineteenth century rural Bengal aiming to remove indigenous folk practices from Bengali Islam and commit populations exclusively to Allah and Muhammad. Improved transport services in the 1800s brought Muslim masses into contact with Mecca which facilitated reformist movements stressing Quranic literalism. These efforts made people aware of differences between Islamic commands and their actual practices. Politically the reform aspect emphasizing exclusiveness continued with the Pakistan movement for a separate Muslim state. A cultural aspect involved the assumption of Arab culture following nominal conversions brought about by regional Muslim polities. Reforms especially after the 17th century integrated Muslims more fully with the larger Muslim world through these changing dynamics.

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• 6. Modern Demographic Distribution Patterns

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  Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Maldives are today Muslim-majority countries covering half of all South Asian nations. The Muslim population in India represents 14.12 percent yet still makes it the largest Muslim population outside Muslim-majority countries. More than 650 million Muslims live across South Asia forming approximately one-third of the region's total population. About one-third of all Muslims worldwide reside within this geographic area making it home to the largest Muslim population globally. Islam remains the second-largest religion in India while being third largest in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Since the 1947 partition of India, modern states have largely governed the subcontinent with Pakistan later splitting into two nations in 1971.

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