Should have been avoided !!
Mammootty as Cheraman Perumal in a movie co produced by Oman Film Society ,
Muscat: An Indian movie will be made on the life of Cheraman Perumal, the first legendary ruler of the then south Indian state of Kerala, who embraced Islam, and was laid to rest in Salalah following an ailment during his return journey to Kerala after a pilgrimage to Holy City of Makkah, Indian actor Mammootty said.
"A movie maker has approached me to make a movie on Cheraman Perumal's life and play the lead role in it. I have agreed to it and we are now planning to co-produce it in association with the Oman Film Society (OFS). Talks will be held (about this) with Dr Khalid Al Zedjali, the Chairman of the Oman Film Society," said Mammootty, the Indian actor who has acted in more than 360 Indian films in a career spanning more than three decades.
6th century AD
According to historians, Cheruman Perumal, the 6th century AD ruler, was impressed by Islam after listening to the Arab traders who visited his country. While the traders were returning after their business in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Cheruman Perumal joined them to visit Makkah. He handed over his authority to his kin and started the journey. Reaching Makkah, he performed Haj and embraced Islam. However, during his return journey, he fell sick and breathed his last in Salalah, where he was laid to rest.
Despite the King's absence, his companions continued the journey to Kerala with a letter written by the King just before his death. After reaching Kerala, Cheruman Perumal's companions were treated with due respect and facilities were extended to them to establish their faith in the land by the late king's kin and friends. Eventually, in 629AD, the first mosque in India was constructed at Kodungallur, Kerala.
"History reveals that there were strong trade links between Kerala and Arab countries during the first decade AD itself. And Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera ruler, is known as the first Indian king to embrace Islam and toil for its spread in Kerala. So, I am excited to be the part of this legendary movie," Mammootty added.
Tomb in Salalah
Presently, both nationals and Indian expatriates visit the tomb in Salalah with reverence. Many tourists visit the tomb from the region and from India.
In 2011, a high-level team from India visited the tomb of Cheraman Perumal in Salalah as part of the Muziris Heritage Project of the Kerala state's Ministry of Tourism.
Former Indian Ambassador to Oman Anil Wadwa had also visited the tomb of King Cheraman Perumal Salalah in 2011.
മസ്കത്ത്: കേരളചരിത്രത്തിലെ ഇതിഹാസ നായകനായ ചേരമാന്* പെരുമാളിന്*െറ ജീവിതം വെള്ളിത്തിരയിലത്തെുന്നു. മമ്മൂട്ടി പെരുമാളായി വേഷമിടും. മസ്കത്ത് അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ചലച്ചിത്ര മേളയുടെ സമാപന ചടങ്ങിനത്തെിയ മമ്മൂട്ടി തന്നെയാണ് ഇതുസംബന്ധിച്ച സൂചന നല്*കിയത്
Cherman Perumal
Husband of Kshatriya woman and three Sudra girls, who beget the future kings of Kerala.
King whose sister married Brahmin (Namboothiri) chief from Perumpadappu and the origin of Perumpadappu Swaroopam (Cochin Royal Family).
King who sent message to Ceylon to bring back the carpenters,under the protection of Ezhavas.
One who went to Mecca in 843 A.D. and converted to Islam taking the name of Abdul Rahman Samiri.
The one most popularly told in Muslim circles, as one who witnessed splitting of moon and converted to Islam by Mohammed with the name of Thiya-uj-uddan (Crown of Faith).
One who gave sword to Nayar chief at Calicut making him the Samootri of Calicut.
King who gave trade rights to Christian merchants.
One who gave cap to Ayikkara Yajamanan, symbolising his authority.
King who became Saivite saint, visited Siva temples across south India along with Sundarar, then became faithful steward of Siva in Kailasa.
Had become Buddhist.
Chera Emblem
Cheraman Mazjid - Kodungallore
The Cheraman Juma Masjid was built by Malik bin Dinar, one of the 13 followers of Prophet Mohammad who reached the ancient port of Musuris(modern Kodungallur), in 629 AD.
Legend has it that Cheraman Perumal, a Hindu ruler of Musuris embraced Islam and abdicated his throne and left for Mecca to meet the prophet. Perumal is reported to have died at the port of Zafar in Yemen, where the tomb of the "Indian king" was a major attraction to Muslim pilgrims for over many centuries. It is also believed that Perumal's followers built the mosque after returning from Arabia. "Cheraman Perumal gave a letter saying that the land should be given to build a mosque here and hence the Mosque is known as Cheraman Juma Masjid. Cheraman Perumal died when he was in Oman. Perumal gave a letter to Malik Dinar who had accompanied him and said if the letter was given to the ruler, the land would be allotted and that a mosque should be built, Unlike any other mosques in India, this mosque uses a traditional brass oil lamp, mostly found in Hindu temples in Kerala. The pulpit from where the chief priest gives Friday sermons is made of rosewood which has carvings similar to those in temples. The architecture of Cheraman Juma Masjid also resembles Hindu temple style. There are two tombs in Cheraman Juma Masjid. One is that of Bin Dinar and his sister inside the mosque, where Muslim priests light incense sticks, which is also yet another Hindu practice.
Mausoleum of Cheraman Perumal - Salalah ,Oman
The First Indian to accept Islam
Cheraman Perumal, of Kodungallur, Kerala, was the first Indian to accept Islam. Many historians have recorded this fact in their writings. For example, M. Hamidulla writes in “Muhammad Rasoolullah” quoting some old manuscripts from India Office Library (ref no. Arabic, 2807, 152-173)
“There is a very old tradition in Malabar, South-West Coast of India, that Chakrawati Farmas (perhaps another name for denoting Cheraman Perumal) one of their kings, had observed the splitting of the moon, the celebrated miracle of the Holy Prophet at Mecca, and learning on inquiry that there was a prediction of the coming of a Messenger of God from Arabia, he appointed his son as regent and set out to meet him.
He embraced Islam at the hand of the Prophet, and when returning home, at the direction of the Prophet, died at the port of Zafar, Yemen, where the tomb of the “Indian king” was piously visited for many centuries.”
The Holy Quran makes the following reference to the miracle of Holy Prophet -
“The Hour is nigh and the moon was cleft asunder”
Thus it is clear that Cheraman Perumal was the first believer of India. However, there are differences of opinion among historians concerning the year in which it took place. (It is not in the scope of MeraWatan to sort out the chronological differences).
Advent of Islam
It is difficult to estimate the exact date when the Indo – Arab relations began. History has it that about 2200 years ago, Arabs used to visit Kerala to sell pepper, sandalwood, elephant horns. It is through Arabs, the Christianity and Judaism reached Kerala first. They had settled long before the arrival of Prophet. As Islam’s glory became established in Arabia, the relation was strengthened day by day. A group of Arabs arrive at Kerala
A group of Arabs set to visit Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) where it was believed to have the footsteps of Prophet Adam. On the way, they landed at Kerala.
Cheruman Perumal, who was the king of Kodungallur, sent his men to investigate the matter. Sheikh Sahirudhin Ibn Baqiudhin Al Madani, one among the team, replied, “We are Arabs, We are Muslims. We have landed here while on the way to Ceylon”. The king, who’d earlier heard of Islam, became more curious to hear directly from the inhabitants of Madina- the center of Islam. Sahirudhin replied positively to all the questions. The king was overjoyed to learn more about the new faith and converted to it on the spot.
Ahmed Zainudhin Makhdum has mentioned this in his world- renowned masterpiece, Thuhfathul Mujahideen. (Another historic text, Keralolpathi, reports that Perumal left for the pilgrimage at Makkah). Anyway the king kept his conversion a secret and asked the travelers to do the same. He presented many gifts to the travelers and while seeing them off, he told that he would be coming with them while they wee returning back to Arabia.
The king visited each part of his country and introduced many administrative changes whereby he divided each part of his country among his relatives. ‘One among his sons, who arrived late from his visit to Kashi, was left with the land of ‘Kozhi’ and ‘Chullikkad’ which later came to be known as Kozhikode. He was given the power to nominate the Grand Qazi of Kozhikode, give permission for the ships leaving for Makkah and to conduct the Mamanga festival. (refer Keralolpathi).
The journey
The king spent weeks in seclusion. In midst of his quiet life, he set out on the journey along with the Arab travelers who’d promised him earlier. On the way, they stopped by Koylandi and from there to Dharmapatnam where they halted for 3 days.Then they set out to Shehr Muqalla. On reaching there, they set for the Hajj pilgrimage and thereafter returned to Malabar. He aspired to spread the message of Islam. But on the way, he fell sick and breathed his last. His companions left for Malabar with the letter written by the king just before his death
The oldest mosque in India
The king visited each part of his country and introduced many administrative changes whereby he divided each part of his country among his relatives. ‘One among his sons, who arrived late from his visit to Kashi, was left with the land of ‘Kozhi’ and ‘Chullikkad’ which later came to be known as Kozhikode. He was given the power to nominate the Grand Qazi of Kozhikode, give permission for the ships leaving for Makkah and to conduct the Mamanga festival. (refer Keralolpathi).
The journey
The king spent weeks in seclusion. In midst of his quiet life, he set out on the journey along with the Arab travelers who’d promised him earlier. On the way, they stopped by Koylandi and from there to Dharmapatnam where they halted for 3 days.
Then they set out to Shehr Muqalla. On reaching there, they set for the Hajj pilgrimage and thereafter returned to Malabar. He aspired to spread the message of Islam. But on the way, he fell sick and breathed his last. His companions left for Malabar with the letter written by the king just before his death.
Perumal in Theyyum Songs
The Perumal story is sung in the Theyyum songs as follows:
‘Perumal who began his journey secretly handed over his Kovilakam (palace) to the Samudiri in Dharmapattanam. His companions were with him. The Prophet used to halt at Jeddah. Perumal went there and embraced Islam and adopted the name Tajudhin.’
The Arakkal records also shows that Perumal left for Makkah and changed his name to Tajudhin after embracing Islam
The practice of receiving Pan from a Muslim woman when the King Samudiri ascends throne and the saying ‘I shall guard the sword (kingship) until my uncle returns from Makkah’ continued until 1890s.
Two facts: Story Untold
Islam spread along the western coast, including Kerala, long before the Muslim invasion of North India.
Islam spread in Kerala either at the time of Prophet or just before his death.
Summarized from Kerala Muslims – History of freedom struggle by KM Bahaudhin
C.V. Kunhiraman
C.V. Kunhiraman describes the story of Cheraman Perumal in ‘Karthikodayam’ as follows:
Cheraman Perumal left for Makkah after embracing Islam. Before leaving, he divided his kingdom among his son-in-laws and relatives at the Thiruvanchikulam Temple (see pic). This happened 1400 years ago.
The Panthalam, Kottarakkara and Kollam dynasties came into being after this.
Perumal presents a gift to the Holy Prophet
A tradition of the Holy Prophet has also been reported from one of the companions, Abu Saeed al Khudri, regarding the arrival of Cheraman Perumal:
“A king from India presented the Messenger of Allah with a bottle of pickle that had ginger in it. The Holy Prophet distributed it among his companions. I also received a piece to eat.” Hakim reports in ‘Al Musthadrak
Last edited by hakkimp; 04-02-2014 at 05:12 PM.
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Should have been avoided !!
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
all the bestttttttttttttttt
മേരേ പ്യാരേ...ദേശ് വാസിയോം...യോം...യോം ..യോം ........