Arrival of the Companions in India

Islam’s early history is marked not just by the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Arabia, but also by the journeys of his closest followers — the Sahabah (Companions) — who carried the message of Islam far beyond the Arabian Peninsula. While much of Islamic expansion in the first century occurred in the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia, historical accounts suggest that some Companions of the Prophet ﷺ or their immediate successors reached the Indian subcontinent. Their arrival marked the beginning of Islam’s long and deep-rooted presence in the region.

This article explores the early arrival of the Companions in India, the historical context, notable figures, and their lasting legacy.

Historical Background

The Indian subcontinent, with its vast coastline and ancient trading networks, had long been connected to Arabia through commerce and culture. Arab traders had been visiting ports in Kerala, Gujarat, and Sindh for centuries before the advent of Islam. These trading links provided an easy path for the spread of new ideas, including the message of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself encouraged peaceful propagation of Islam, and after his passing in 632 CE, the Caliphs continued sending envoys, scholars, and merchants to distant lands. According to various historical records, the arrival of Islam in India was not solely a result of military campaigns but also of maritime trade, migration, and religious missions — some led by the Sahabah or their immediate successors (Tabi‘in).

First Contacts: Trade and Faith

Arab merchants from Hadramaut, Oman, and Yemen were already familiar with the Malabar Coast of present-day Kerala. When some of these traders embraced Islam during the Prophet’s lifetime, they returned to their trade routes carrying not just goods but also the message of Islam.

It is believed that by the mid-7th century, mosques were being established in port cities along the Indian Ocean. Oral traditions in Kerala claim that a group of Sahabah, possibly led by Malik bin Dinar (RA), arrived to propagate Islam. While the exact historical details are debated, local Muslim communities still revere these figures as pioneers of Islam in India.

Malik bin Dinar (RA) and the Malabar Coast

One of the most famous names associated with the arrival of Islam in India is Malik bin Dinar (RA), a follower of the Prophet ﷺ or a Tabi‘i who had met many Companions. Historical narratives suggest that he, along with a group of companions, arrived on the Malabar Coast around 629–632 CE, soon after the Prophet’s passing.

They are credited with establishing some of the earliest mosques in India, including the Cheraman Juma Mosque in Kodungallur, Kerala — which is often claimed to be the first mosque in the Indian subcontinent. Local legend connects this to the story of Cheraman Perumal, a Chera king who is said to have embraced Islam and traveled to meet the Prophet ﷺ in Makkah.

Companions in Sindh and Balochistan

While Kerala’s coast witnessed peaceful settlement, northwestern India (modern-day Sindh and Balochistan) saw the arrival of Islam through both trade and early expeditions.

Some sources mention that Hakim bin Jabalah al-Abdi (RA), a Companion of the Prophet ﷺ, visited Sindh during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA). His journey was reportedly part of an exploratory mission to gather information about the region, which at the time was under local Hindu and Buddhist rulers.

Another account states that Companions and Tabi‘in occasionally accompanied trade caravans from Basra and Kufa to Sindh, stopping in ports such as Debal (near modern Karachi) and coastal Balochistan. These visits may not have resulted in large-scale conversions immediately, but they planted seeds for Islam’s growth in the region.

The Case of Muhammad bin Qasim and Later Expansion

While the most famous Islamic conquest in India was led by Muhammad bin Qasim in 711 CE under the Umayyad Caliphate, this was decades after the time of the Sahabah. However, the groundwork for such expeditions had been laid earlier by Companions’ visits, Muslim merchants’ settlements, and peaceful preaching.

Muhammad bin Qasim’s campaign in Sindh brought the region under Muslim administration and ensured the construction of mosques, the introduction of Arabic administration, and the flourishing of Islamic scholarship — all of which continued the work initiated by earlier visitors.

Legendary Accounts and Debates

It is important to note that historical certainty about the exact identities of Sahabah in India is limited. Some of the stories, such as Malik bin Dinar’s arrival, are preserved through oral tradition and local chronicles like the Qissat Shakarwati Farmad. Historians debate whether these accounts refer to actual Companions of the Prophet ﷺ or their immediate followers.

Nonetheless, these legends remain deeply embedded in the cultural memory of Indian Muslims, especially in Kerala and coastal regions, where shrines and old mosques still commemorate these early arrivals.

Notable Mosques Linked to Early Companions

1. Cheraman Juma Mosque, Kodungallur – Often claimed to be the first mosque in India, built during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ by Malik bin Dinar and his companions.

2. Ponnani Mosque, Kerala – Linked to early Arab traders and scholars who continued the work of the Sahabah.

3. Bhadreswar Mosque, Gujarat – Though later in date, its origins are tied to Arab merchant settlements that trace their roots to early Islamic contact.

Legacy of the Sahabah in India

The presence of Sahabah or their immediate followers in India left a lasting mark:

• Introduction of Islam – Their arrival brought the first message of Islam to Indian shores.

• Cultural Exchange – Arab traditions blended with Indian customs, influencing language, architecture, and trade practices.

• Religious Scholarship – Early mosques became centers for teaching the Qur’an and Hadith.

• Peaceful Propagation – Unlike later conquests, much of the initial spread was through trade, intermarriage, and personal example.

Modern Relevance

Today, Indian Muslims, particularly in Kerala, cherish the memory of these early pioneers. Annual commemorations, mosque restorations, and historical research continue to keep the legacy alive. In an age of globalization, the story of the Sahabah in India serves as a reminder that Islam’s spread was not solely by the sword, but also through human connection, trust, and moral integrity.

Conclusion

The arrival of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ and their followers in India is a chapter of history that blends fact, legend, and enduring faith. Whether through the confirmed journeys of figures like Hakim bin Jabalah or the cherished traditions surrounding Malik bin Dinar, these early Muslims laid the foundation for a civilization that would flourish for centuries in the subcontinent.

Their legacy is not only in the mosques they built or the trade they conducted but in the relationships they forged, the justice they practiced, and the light of Islam they carried across the seas. The story of Islam in India, therefore, begins not with empires, but with the humble journeys of those who sought only to convey a message of truth.