According to the
Legend of Cheraman Perumals, the first Indian mosque was built in 624 CE at
Kodungallur with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) of
Chera dynasty, who converted to Islam during the lifetime of
Muhammad ( to 632 CE). According to
Qissat Shakarwati Farmad, the mosques at
Kodungallur, Kollam, Madayi,
Barkur,
Mangalore,
Kasaragod,
Kannur,
Dharmadam,
Panthalayini, and
Chaliyam, were built during the era of Malik Dinar, and they are among the oldest
Masjids in the
Indian subcontinent. It is believed that Malik Dinar died at
Thalangara in the town of
Kasaragod. The
Arabic inscription, on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque, records its foundation year as 1124 CE. The 16th century
Tuhfat Ul Mujahideen also records the history of Madayi. The mosque contained a marker/plaque listing the year as as the date of its construction. As a part of renovation, the old structure was pulled down in 2006, and a new structure in the
Indo-Saracenic style was built on the old foundations. The marker was preserved and incorporated into the floor of the new building, but the original date is no longer legible.
Inscription The inscription, translated from Arabic into English, reads: : At the rear of the mosque an old wall was retained that incorporated the original mark of the
qibla, while beside it stands the first
mimbar, a simple and visibly ancient raised stone platform. The second mimbar, also old, has been retained in the new mosque. It has four carved wooden posts holding up a flat canopy that is covered with painted flowers on its interior. The graves of two saints who were reportedly companions of Malik ibn Dinar were consigned to a rear room. == See also ==