There are about twentysix Islamic epics, some of them major and some minor. The first Islamic epic written in 1648 A.D. was Kanakaabhishekamaalai. However, சீறாப்புராணம் and சீன்ன சீறா
are considered to be the greatest Islamic epics. Both these epics tell the story of Prophet Mohammad, the Founder of Islam. They stress the Oneness of God and describe the conflict between Good and Bad, and Truth and Falsehood.

    சீறாப்புராணம் deals with the life of நபிகள் நாயகம் till his fifty seventh year. The history of his life from then onwards till his death at the age of sixty three, is dealt with in சின்ன சீறா. Hence, together, these two epics tell the story of the life of நபிகள் நாயகம்.
The word ‘சீறா’ is the Tamil version of ‘சீறத்’ which an abbreviation of the Arabic word ‘Seeraththunnabi’. சீறத் means life-history. Hence, Seerappuranam refers to the life-history of Prophet Nabi.

    This சீறாப்புராணம் was written by உமறுப்புலவர் who lived from 1642 to 1703 A.D. He was born in கீழக்கரை. His mentor was கடிகை முத்துப்புலவர். Two great men patronised the poet, They were சீதக்காதி and அபுல் காசிம் மரைக்காயர். This epic consists of three cantos. It delineates the Islamic code of conduct, a Muslim’s duties and the greatness of Prophet Mohammad, who is considered to be the messenger of Allah, the only God.

    Islam says that there is only one God. The tenet that Mohammad is Allah’s messenger is called ‘Kalima’. This is the basic concept of Islam. Accepting this without question is called ‘Eemaan’ meaning belief or trust. Implementing this belief, is ‘Amal.’ Every Muslim is expected to perform five important duties during his life-time. They are: Kalima, Prayer, Fasting, சக்காத்து or Charity and Haj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

    சின்ன சீறா was composed by பனீ அகமது மரைக்காயர். He completed the work taken up by உமறுப்புலவர். This epic deals with the correspondence which Mohammad Nabi had with nine foreign rulers, and the manner in which all the Arabian countries became Islamic after the War of Mecca. These twin epics tell the story of Prophet Mohammad, in conformity with the traditions of Tamil literature, and at the same time enriching the local language with words adapted form Arabic. They are rich in descriptive details and posses great literary value.