The Malabar Muslims in Malaysia

Malabar Muslims were a maritime society; they had trade relations with Arabia, Europe, South East Asia and Ceylon. Apart form this they had a meeting of minds too. According to certain school of thought one of the ways Islam came to this part of the world is through Malabar. Sheikh Ismail, an Arab, on the direction of the Sharif of Mecca, proceeded to the Malayan Archipelago on missionary work via Malabar from where a sufi, Fakir Mohammad, joined him undertaking to propagate Islam. It is a fact that Mazhab Shafie was introduced here through Malabar. 'Sejarah Umat Islam' by Dr. Hamka has almost confirmed this proposition.

Certain words in any language may throw some light into aspects of human relations which might otherwise remain dark and obscure. Earlier Malabar Muslims were using 19 type of vessels in their trade and battles. Among these vessels were sampan (sampan),  parao (perahu) , pathamari (petamari) , kappal (kapal), and sambuk (sambuk). Those in brackects are still existent in Malaysia and the Malay language. Since these are not new coinages, they suggest the  intensity and strength of the relation between Malabar and Malayan Archipelago - a relation as old as the very words !

THEIR OCCUPATION

As traders many Malabar Muslim settled down here in earlier days. Many married  and raised their families. Their assimilation was so complete that they ultimately lost their 'Malabar Identity' and became indisputably Malays. Later arrivals from Malabar were with a different objective. They took it only as a practical part of their endeavour of enterprise, viz, seeking fortune elsewhere. A great percentage of them had , therefore, only an ephemeral interest in their stay here; once their material needs were satisfied , they called it a day and returned to Malabar for good.

Some of them were wiser and settled down here permanently; they chose to cast their lot with that of this country. Some of their descendants in later years rose to rank among the most illustrious sons of the country. It is a fact that the Malabaris were essentially an asset to the rural economy. They set up small sundry shops and restaurant and mobile mini restaurants selling snacks in rural areas and small townships catering for the daily necessities of the people around. Irrespective as to whether they were permanently settled down or were just "birds of passage", they lived amicably and cooperated with Malays in all walks of life. They contributed freely to the proper maintenance of the suraus and mosques in their area as well as other social and religious calls.

There were some others attached to Government Departments and private sectors including industries in various capacities. Likewise there are others who are engaged in quality restaurant business. When these facts are taken into account , it can be seen that though the number is limited, Malabar Muslims are represented in every walk of life of the Malaysian society. 

Copyright © 2007 (e-Malabari Network).