Sufism in Kerala

137 Pages·2004·17.005 MB·English

by  V. Kunhali

University of Virginia
Libraries
Sufism in Kerala
Dr. Kunhali. V
Publication Division
University of calicut
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(English)
Sufism in Kerala
by
Dr. Kunhali. V
Published in 2004
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No part of this Publication may be reproduced, stored in a
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without prior permission oft he author.
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Omprakash. V
Printed at Calicut University Press
Price Rs. 751- ISBN 81-7748-073-1
Published by Valsa.rajan P.V, Publication Officer, University of Calicut.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
The principal objective of the Publication Division of
the University ofC alicut is to publish textbooks and other
research oriented and socially relevant books at a reasonable
price, without compromising in quality ofp roduction. All
. the books brought out so far have been received by the
reading public, comprising mainly students and teachers,
with overwhelming enthusiasm.
This book, Sufism in Kera/a by Prof. Kunhali. V, is an
outcome of the research work done by the author. The
Publication Division acknowledges its profound gratitude
to the Vice- Chancellor, Members of the Syndicate,
Members of the Editorial Committee and Prof.
Kunhali. V., for Publications and for their whole hearted
co-operation in publishing this volume.
•
We are happy to express our sincere thanks to
Sri. Omprakash. V, Mrs. Laly Francis and Sri. A. Hameed
for the help rendered by them.
Publication Officer

CONTENTS
Preface 7
12
List of abbreviations
13
Introduction
Main Currents of Political and
Social History of Kerala 34
Sufism in Kerala : Origin, ear!,y growth and
relation with sufi movements in south India. 58
Sufi orders in Kerala 75
Ideology and practices 88
Awl!}'as and saints and their cults 98
mar~r
110
Sufism and Mappila life
125
Appendices
Glossary 130
Bibliography 132
•
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 Nizaml. 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 British and Indian Historians from the study of
Sufism In Kerala.
Enquires in this direction seemed to be a hazard, because the first
sentence I had to read was 'The extensive SUfi Missionary activities found
elsewhere in Indian Islam is not evident in South India; (IH Qureshi, Muslim
community. .. ) unfortunately repeated by R.E. Miller too after living in
Malappuram the heart land of Mappilas for eighteen years. But he evinced
a keen interest in the subject while I discussed with him years before.
Sufism had its characteristics, evident with regional influences and
variations everywhere. Among Mappilas Sufi.sm was only subjected to and
abiding sheriah. In Hidayat UI Adhkiya (1521) the manual of Sufism in
Malabar it is said:
Tariqah and Haqigah are like that Oh; My brother
You can not attain them (both) without acts of Shariah
This subservient nature of Sufism to Shariah maybe one reason why it