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Cherman Masjid

Perumals were the titular leaders who ruled the powerful Chera dynasty. There are varying opinions regarding their appointment whether they were appointed by the leaders of various independent dynasties, selected by the Brahmins or were foreign appointees of the Chola and Pandiya kings. Originally they ruled for a twelve year periods but later this period was extended. Cheraman Perumal was a king of Kerala and the last of the Perumal dynasty.

Kesari A. Balakrishna Pilla , an internationally reputed historian, states that Cheraman Perumal had also received a letter in the year 628 AD from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) along with many other rulers of the then known world.

Renovated

Old photo

Memorial stone

Cheraman Perumal , according to Sheikh Zainuddin Al Malbari, is said to have divided his land to 12 rulers before he left for Mecca. It has been established that this last Perumal travelled to Mecca and embraced Islam and that he had his 'Kalimatul Shahadat' at the hands of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) himself. He thus became the first royal Malabari convert to Islam and his Muslim name was Tajuddin. Cheraman Perumal passed away in Shahar Mukhalla reportedly in Hijrah 10.

At the time of his death , Cheraman Perumal entrusted his co-travelers with a letter, and said that they would be honored if presented at Kodungallur, Panthalayani or Dhardamadam. However, after his demise, his entourage did not proceed with their journey as they had planned earlier. After a lapse of time the party traveled to Kerala with renewed vigor and enthusiasm under the leadership of Malik bin Dinar. His team comprised of his wife, children, a few relatives and 22 religious scholars. They landed at Kodungallur in the year AD 642-643. This was during the reign of Khalifah Umar (R.A.) the second of the "Khulafa- ul -Rashidin".

Malik bin Dinar met the then King of Kodungallur and handed over to him the royal letter which Cheraman Perumal had entrusted with his entourage before his death. The King honored the letter and received the Muslims well. He gave them proper accommodation and took personal interest in their welfare. He undertook the supervision of the "Muslim colony" himself. He gave them all the required assistance for the construction of their first Masjid in Kodungallur itself by providing land, building materials and later maintenance of the masjid. This masjid was the first in the Indian subcontinent – “The Cherman Perumal Masjid”. This was indeed an impetus to Islam especially in its infancy.