Kasaragod, Kerala – India
Coordinates: 12.484812, 74.988978
Hz. Malik Deenar رضي الله عنه was a Tabain, Persian scholar and traveller. He was one of the first known Muslims to have come to India in order to propagate Islam in the Indian Subcontinent after the departure of King Cheraman Perumal.
Even though historians do not agree on the exact place of his death, it is widely accepted that he died at Kasaragod and that his remains were buried at the Malik Dinar Mosque in Thalangara, Kasaragod.
Belonging to the generation of the tabi’i, Hz. Malik رضي الله عنه is called a reliable traditionalist in Sunni sources, and is said to have transmitted from such authorities as Hz. Malik ibn Anas رضي الله عنه and Hz. Ibn Sirin رحمة الله عليه.
He was the son of a Persian slave from Kabul who became a disciple of Hz. Hasan al-Basri رضي الله عنه.
He died just before the epidemic of plague which caused considerable ravages in Basra in 748-49 CE, with various traditions placing his death either at 744-45 or 747-48 CE.
Influence on Sufism
According to Ibn al-Fakih, “he brought honour to his native town because he was accounted one of the six Basrans who were without equals at Kufa.
Later scholars ranging from Abu Nuʿaym to Ibn al-Jawzi reproduce “whole hosts” of proverbial sayings from him, which clearly reflect the extent to which Hz. Malik رضي الله عنه continued to influence Sunni thinkers of all types.
According to Pellat, the explicit articulation of the Sufi ideal of the “inner jihad” (the war against one’s own soul),” also finds its original formulation in Hz. Malik رضي الله عنه, who is believed to have said “fight against your desires just as you fight against your enemies”, in a maxim that would wield considerable influence upon Islamic mystics through the medieval period.
Hz. Malik رضي الله عنه also seems to have had an appreciation for the Christian religion, and may have even read parts of the New Testament for spiritual inspiration in imitating the example of Hz. Isa عليه اسلام
Malik Dinar Mosque
Malik Dinar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in India, situated in Kasaragod district of Kerala state, south India.
History
Over the years, Kasaragod acquired the considerable importance as a centre of Islam on the west coast. It is the site of one of the mosques believed to have been founded by Hz. Malik Deenar رضي الله عنه
Location
The mosque, Juma Masjid, which is one of the best kept and most attractive in the district, is located at Thalangara. Thalangara beach is on the western side of Kasaragod town and it is close to the railway station.
Holy grave
The mosque contains the grave of Hz. Malik Deenar رضي الله عنه, and the place is sacred to Muslims. Another notable mosque, in Kasaragod is the Theruvath Mosque which is in the center of the town.
Malik Deenar Urs
Malik Deenar Urs is the one of the main observations of Indian muslims to celebrate the arrival of Hz. Malik Deenar رضي الله عنه to Kerala, India.
It is conducted in the holy month of Muharram and lasts for one month. It includes various rituals such as the Ziyarath (visiting of tomb), Pataka Uyarthal (flag hosting) and Annadanam.
