Islamization of the Maldives.

[SOMALI GENERAL]

I've done some reading on this part of Maldive's history & it seems there is great confusion about the Ethnic background of the Man that introduced Islam to the Indian Ocean nation.

The main reason why there's much confusion is due to how Ibn Battuta (famous Moroccan/Berber Scholar & Explorer) misinterpreted documents that referred to the Imam as "Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari" by assuming he was of North African/Berber origin which was biased, since he was naturally inclined to favour his Ethnicity/Nation when possible. At the time, it was widely accepted in the Maldives that he was of Horn African/Somali origin, although he was referred to as a "Berber", since both North Africans/Imazighen and Horn Africans were both identified as Berbers.

In addition, there was little to no North African/Amazigh presence in the Maldives before Ibn Battuta visited the Islands; when he did arrive the ruler was an Ethnic Somali by the name of Abd al-Aziz of Mogadishu who invited him.

 

[merka]

It was Yusuf al Kowneyn aka Aw Barkhadle a Somali scholar who brought Islam to the Maldives as well as to Sri Lanka. His grave is in the town of Aw Barkhadle just outside of Hargeisa. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_bin_Ahmad_al-Kawneyn

 

[SOMALI GENERAL]

It was Yusuf al Kowneyn aka Aw Barkhadle a Somali scholar who brought Islam to the Maldives as well as to Sri Lanka. His grave is in the town of Aw Barkhadle just outside of Hargeisa. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_bin_Ahmad_al-Kawneyn

View attachment 84953

Noble figure in our history.

 

[Factz]

It was Yusuf al Kowneyn aka Aw Barkhadle a Somali scholar who brought Islam to the Maldives as well as to Sri Lanka. His grave is in the town of Aw Barkhadle just outside of Hargeisa. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_bin_Ahmad_al-Kawneyn

View attachment 84953

This guy was an inspiration to Somalis. Let me mention more of his achievement and contribution to Somali history.

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Kawneyn was a native Somali scholar born in Zeila and who studied in his city Zeila and later studied in Baghdad, Iraq. As a result of his studies in Iraq, he was given the title of "Al Baghdadi" as well. He is also noted for having devised a Somali nomenclature for the Arabic vowels and invented the wadaad script. It's basically the Somali language transcribed in Arabic writing script.

He was also the ancestor and founder of the Walashma dynasty that governed both Ifat and Adal Sultanates.

 

[Grant]

The man who converted the Maldives to Islam is buried next to the Juma Mosque in the center of the capital city of Mal'e. You can read the famous plaque for yourself:


"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Maldives

This is the Iranian version from Wiki:

"A Plaque in Juma Mosque, Malé, Maldives, on which Abu Al-Rikab Yusuf Al-Tabrezi's name is written. Tabrezi was an Iranian who is said to have converted Maldives in 12th century AD to Islam."


"Persian Theory
Another interpretation, in the Raadavalhi and Taarikh,[15][16] is that Abu Barakat was an Iranian from Tabriz called Yusuf Shamsud-din, also locally known as Tabrīzugefānu. In the Arabic script the words al-Barbari and al-Tabrizi are very much alike, owing to the fact that at the time, Arabic had several consonants that looked identical and could only be differentiated by overall context (this has since changed by addition of dots above or below letters to clarify pronunciation – For example, the letter "B" in modern Arabic has a dot below, whereas the letter "T" looks identical except there are two dots above it). The first reference to an Iranian origin dates to an 18th-century Persian text.[17]

The much venerated tomb of this saint now stands opposite the grounds of Hukuru Miski, in the centre of Malé.[18]"
------------------------------------------------------------

The conversion of the Maldives to Islam was in either 1153 or 1193 AD, depending on the source. Aw Barkhadle was Shafici; the Maldives were Maliki until 1700. If Aw Barkhadle was active in the 1300s and buried at Dogor/Barkhadle, there are issues that need addressing.

 

[SOMALI GENERAL]

The man who converted the Maldives to Islam is buried next to the Juma Mosque in the center of the capital city of Mal'e. You can read the famous plaque for yourself:


"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Maldives

This is the Iranian version from Wiki:

"A Plaque in Juma Mosque, Malé, Maldives, on which Abu Al-Rikab Yusuf Al-Tabrezi's name is written. Tabrezi was an Iranian who is said to have converted Maldives in 12th century AD to Islam."


"Persian Theory
Another interpretation, in the Raadavalhi and Taarikh,[15][16] is that Abu Barakat was an Iranian from Tabriz called Yusuf Shamsud-din, also locally known as Tabrīzugefānu. In the Arabic script the words al-Barbari and al-Tabrizi are very much alike, owing to the fact that at the time, Arabic had several consonants that looked identical and could only be differentiated by overall context (this has since changed by addition of dots above or below letters to clarify pronunciation – For example, the letter "B" in modern Arabic has a dot below, whereas the letter "T" looks identical except there are two dots above it). The first reference to an Iranian origin dates to an 18th-century Persian text.[17]

The much venerated tomb of this saint now stands opposite the grounds of Hukuru Miski, in the centre of Malé.[18]"
------------------------------------------------------------

The conversion of the Maldives to Islam was in either 1153 or 1193 AD, depending on the source. Aw Barkhadle was Shafici; the Maldives were Maliki until 1700. If Aw Barkhadle was active in the 1300s and buried at Dogor/Barkhadle, there are issues that need addressing.

Interesting theory.

 

[madaxweyne]

The man who converted the Maldives to Islam is buried next to the Juma Mosque in the center of the capital city of Mal'e. You can read the famous plaque for yourself:


"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Maldives

This is the Iranian version from Wiki:

"A Plaque in Juma Mosque, Malé, Maldives, on which Abu Al-Rikab Yusuf Al-Tabrezi's name is written. Tabrezi was an Iranian who is said to have converted Maldives in 12th century AD to Islam."


"Persian Theory
Another interpretation, in the Raadavalhi and Taarikh,[15][16] is that Abu Barakat was an Iranian from Tabriz called Yusuf Shamsud-din, also locally known as Tabrīzugefānu. In the Arabic script the words al-Barbari and al-Tabrizi are very much alike, owing to the fact that at the time, Arabic had several consonants that looked identical and could only be differentiated by overall context (this has since changed by addition of dots above or below letters to clarify pronunciation – For example, the letter "B" in modern Arabic has a dot below, whereas the letter "T" looks identical except there are two dots above it). The first reference to an Iranian origin dates to an 18th-century Persian text.[17]

The much venerated tomb of this saint now stands opposite the grounds of Hukuru Miski, in the centre of Malé.[18]"
------------------------------------------------------------

The conversion of the Maldives to Islam was in either 1153 or 1193 AD, depending on the source. Aw Barkhadle was Shafici; the Maldives were Maliki until 1700. If Aw Barkhadle was active in the 1300s and buried at Dogor/Barkhadle, there are issues that need addressing.

The Iranian theory is made up theory from a tablet made in the 1800s around 500 years after the alleged barkhadle conversion of yer Maldives

Away barkhadle is yusuf ibn all kawnyn as narrated by Ian batuta in the 1400s long before that text was made

Also persians are not maliki their not even sunni Muslims they are Shia


2 and last of all maldivians are shafi sunnis not maliki that's a lie you made up and further supports away barkhadle a Shafici somali converting the islands

And here is a list of Shafici muslim countries

 

[Grant]

The Iranian theory is made up theory from a tablet made in the 1800s around 500 years after the alleged barkhadle conversion of yer Maldives

Away barkhadle is yusuf ibn all kawnyn as narrated by Ian batuta in the 1400s long before that text was made
View attachment 85070


Also persians are not maliki their not even sunni Muslims they are Shia


2 and last of all maldivians are shafi sunnis not maliki that's a lie you made up and further supports away barkhadle a Shafici somali converting the islands
View attachment 85068
And here is a list of Shafici muslim countries
View attachment 85069

Same link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Maldives

"For instance, historically Arabic has been the prime language of administration there, instead of the Persian and Urdu languages used in the nearby Muslim states. Another link to North Africa was the Maliki school of jurisprudence, used throughout most of North Africa, which was the official one in the Maldives until the 17th century.[2]"

 

[Grant]

The Iranian theory is made up theory from a tablet made in the 1800s around 500 years after the alleged barkhadle conversion of yer Maldives

Away barkhadle is yusuf ibn all kawnyn as narrated by Ian batuta in the 1400s long before that text was made
View attachment 85070


Also persians are not maliki their not even sunni Muslims they are Shia


2 and last of all maldivians are shafi sunnis not maliki that's a lie you made up and further supports away barkhadle a Shafici somali converting the islands
View attachment 85068
And here is a list of Shafici muslim countries
View attachment 85069

Read the OP again. Ibn Battuta indicated a third individual, a North African Berber. He was not referring to Aw Barkhadle.

 

[Misil]

The man who converted the Maldives to Islam is buried next to the Juma Mosque in the center of the capital city of Mal'e. You can read the famous plaque for yourself:


"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Maldives

This is the Iranian version from Wiki:

"A Plaque in Juma Mosque, Malé, Maldives, on which Abu Al-Rikab Yusuf Al-Tabrezi's name is written. Tabrezi was an Iranian who is said to have converted Maldives in 12th century AD to Islam."


"Persian Theory
Another interpretation, in the Raadavalhi and Taarikh,[15][16] is that Abu Barakat was an Iranian from Tabriz called Yusuf Shamsud-din, also locally known as Tabrīzugefānu. In the Arabic script the words al-Barbari and al-Tabrizi are very much alike, owing to the fact that at the time, Arabic had several consonants that looked identical and could only be differentiated by overall context (this has since changed by addition of dots above or below letters to clarify pronunciation – For example, the letter "B" in modern Arabic has a dot below, whereas the letter "T" looks identical except there are two dots above it). The first reference to an Iranian origin dates to an 18th-century Persian text.[17]

The much venerated tomb of this saint now stands opposite the grounds of Hukuru Miski, in the centre of Malé.[18]"
------------------------------------------------------------

The conversion of the Maldives to Islam was in either 1153 or 1193 AD, depending on the source. Aw Barkhadle was Shafici; the Maldives were Maliki until 1700. If Aw Barkhadle was active in the 1300s and buried at Dogor/Barkhadle, there are issues that need addressing.

Zaila, along with the north, was Hanafi in the 12th century. So it's fair to assume Aw Barkhadle was too. I can give you my reasons for thinking this.

I would like to know how you came to the conclusion that the Maldives was Maliki from the time of conversion to the 18th century, because if that's the case, then we can rule out the Somali theory because the Maliki school is non-existent in Somali history.

 

[Grant]

Zaila, along with the north, was Hanafi in the 12th century. So it's fair to assume Aw Barkhadle was too. I can give you my reasons for thinking this.

I would like to know how you came to the conclusion that the Maldives was Maliki from the time of conversion to the 18th century, because if that's the case, then we can rule out the Somali theory because the Maliki school is non-existent in Somali history.

What a rare pleasure it is to find a scholar here!!!! Please give me your reasons on Aw Barkhadle.

This history considers various converters and conversion dates, but they are all in the 12th century, and the Maliki school ends before about 1700.. The name Ibn Battuta gives is Abul Barakath ul-Barbari. The author of this piece thinks the converter was Abul Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari from Barbarin in Sri Lanka. He seems to think the Maliki school in the Maldives is generally accepted.

Begin reading several pages back from this to get the evidence.

You can read online for free.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23731038?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior:bb9394731b2746a2a58bebc6751c31ff&seq=6#page_scan_tab_contents
tents

 

[Misil]

What a rare pleasure it is to find a scholar here!!!! Please give me your reasons on Aw Barkhadle.

This history considers various converters and conversion dates, but they are all in the 12th century, and the Maliki school ends before about 1700.. The name Ibn Battuta gives is Abul Barakath ul-Barbari. The author of this piece thinks the converter was Abul Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari from Barbarin in Sri Lanka. He seems to think the Maliki school in the Maldives is generally accepted.

Begin reading several pages back from this to get the evidence.

You can read online for free.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23731038?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior:bb9394731b2746a2a58bebc6751c31ff&seq=6#page_scan_tab_contents
tentsView attachment 85278

To find out what school of thought they were following, we have to look at the literature that was produced and where the scholars were travelling to for knowledge. From around the 12th century, many of the locals are travelling to Hanafi majority lands in places like India and then returning to Zaila to spread it further.

By the time we reach the 13th century, local scholars are travelling to other places to teach, rather than learn. They're also producing their own works on the Hanafi school. For example, Fakhr al-din Al-Zailai is known to have settled in Cairo where he wrote a commentray on Kanz Al-Daqaiq, a book on Hanafi fiqh. He was already well versed in the Hanafi school before he went to Egypt, having studied under local scholars in Zaila. In fact, the Shafici school had taken hold in Egypt at this time, so it's very unlikely he learned Hanafiya there. His nephew would also go on to produce works in the Hanafi school.

Some info about the nephew:

https://ahadithnotes.com/archives/1195

So because Aw Barkhadle was alive in this period, I thought it wouldn't be far fetched to assume he was Hanafi too. He certainly wouldn't have been Shafici as that came much later to the Somalis through the Hadhrami Yemenis who themselves weren't shafici during the time of Barkhadle.

With regards to the Maldives, I must say that the author puts across a very convincing argument. I have one problem with the theory however, and that is who converted the Maldives to the Maliki school because it definitely didn't exist in Sri Lanka. The Maliki madhab throughout history has been present in the Western part of the Islamic world in places like North and West Africa as well as Sicily. So if the Maldives was Maliki back then, it has to come from someone in this region, thus giving the edge to Ibn Batutas theory of a Moroccan converter.