| Madayi Mosque | |
|---|---|
മാടായി പള്ളി | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Rite | Shāfiʿī |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Pazhayangadi,Kannur district, northernKerala |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inKerala | |
| Geographic coordinates | 12°01′29″N75°15′58″E / 12.02486°N 75.26602°E /12.02486; 75.26602 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | Indo-Saracenic |
| Founder | Malik ibn Dinar |
| Completed | |
| Materials | White marble |
TheMadayi Mosque (Malayalam:മാടായി പള്ളി), also known as theMatayi Palli, and as thePazhayangadi Mosque or as theMalik ibn Dinar Mosque, Madayi, is aShāfiʿīSunnimosque, located atPazhayangadi, in theKannur district, in the northern part of the state ofKerala, India. It is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala, with local legends dating the mosque fromAH 518 (1124/1125 CE).
The mosque is believed to have been established byMalik ibn Dinar and contains a block of white marble said to have been brought fromMecca by ibn Dinar.[1] The mosque is one of the several mosques around Pazhayangadi/Payangadi; and is situated on the banks of Kuppam River, which joinsValapattanam River at its estuary.
Local legends, both Islamic andHindu, recount the arrival of Malik ibn Dinar and his company, bearing royal letters from theCheraman Perumal, the last king of the Chera Perumal Kingdom. The Cheraman Perumal embraced Islam and sent these letters to various native chiefs, seeking their assistance in missionary activities and the establishment of mosques.[citation needed] According to Shaikh Zain ud-Din Makhdum, the firstqadi of the new mosque was Malik ibn 'Abdu Rahman.[2]
According to theLegend of Cheraman Perumals, the first Indian mosque was built in 624 CE atKodungallur with the mandate of the last the ruler (the Cheraman Perumal) ofChera dynasty, who converted to Islam during the lifetime ofMuhammad (c. 570 to 632 CE).[3][4][5][6] According toQissat Shakarwati Farmad, the mosques atKodungallur, Kollam, Madayi,Barkur,Mangalore,Kasaragod,Kannur,Dharmadam,Panthalayini, andChaliyam, were built during the era of Malik Dinar, and they are among the oldestMasjids in theIndian subcontinent.[7] It is believed that Malik Dinar died atThalangara in the town ofKasaragod.[8] TheArabic inscription, on a copper slab within the Madayi Mosque, records its foundation year as 1124 CE.[9][10] The 16th centuryTuhfat Ul Mujahideen also records the history of Madayi.[11]
The mosque contained a marker/plaque listing the year as AH 518 (1124/1125) as the date of its construction. As a part of renovation, the old structure was pulled down in 2006, and a new structure in theIndo-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.[12]William Logan also attested to the presence of the plaque.
The inscription, translated from Arabic into English, reads:[13]
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The mosques of God shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in God and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and pay zakat, and fear none except God. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance. Dated on the 5[18]th year on Friday of Rabiul Akhir."
At the rear of the mosque an old wall was retained that incorporated the original mark of theqibla, while beside it stands the firstmimbar, 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.[12]
The graves of two saints who were reportedly companions of Malik ibn Dinar were consigned to a rear room.[12] There were some big offerings for the Madayi Mosque from the sailors and travellers without the consideration of their religion.[13]
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