Madayi Mosque

Madayi Mosque (Malayalam: മാടായി പള്ളി, Matayi Palli; Pazhayangadi Mosque) is mosque at Pazhayangadi in Kannur district, northern Kerala, India. It is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala, with local legends dating back to the 7th century AD. It is believed to have been established by Malik ibn Dinar and contains a block of white marble said to have been brought from Mecca by ibn Dinar. It is one of the several mosques around Pazhayangadi/Payangadi. It is situated on the banks of Kuppam River, which joins Valapattanam River at its estuary.

Local legends, both Islamic and Hindu, recount the arrival of Malik ibn Dinar and his company, bearing royal letters from the Cheraman Perumal, the last king of the Chera Perumal Kingdom (c. 1089-1122 AD). The Cheraman Perumal embraced Islam and sent these letters to various native chiefs, seeking their assistance in missionary activities and the establishment of mosques.

According to Shaikh Zain ud-Din Makhdum, the first qadi of the new mosque was Malik ibn 'Abdu Rahman..

According to the Legend of Cheraman Perumals, the first Indian mosque was built in 624 AD 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 (c. 570–632). According to Qissat Shakarwati Farmad, the Masjids 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 Kasaragod town. The Arabic inscription on a copper slab within the Madayi mosque in records its foundation year as 1124 CE. The 16th century Tuhfat Ul Mujahideen also states about Madayi.

The mosque contained a marker/plaque listing (Arabic inscription) the year 1124 AD (H. 518) as the date of its construction. As a part of renovation, the old structure was pulled down in 2006, and a new structure in Indo- Saracenic model has been built on the old foundations. The marker is preserved and incorporated into the floor of the new building, but the original date is no longer legible. The presence of the plaque is also attested by William Logan, District Collector and Magistrate, Malabar District.

Madayi Mosque Inscription

"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 has been retained incorporating the original mark of the qibla, while beside it stands the first pulpit (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 said to have been companions of Malik ibn Dinar have been consigned to a rear room. There were some big offerings for the Madayi Mosque from the sailors and travelers without the consideration of their religion.

Other names

 * Matayi Palli/Mosque
 * Malik ibn Dinar Mosque, Madayi
 * Pazhayangadi Mosque