The history of Islamic Tamil literature begins at the latter half of the 12th century A.D. The period till 1750 A.D. is known as The Beginnings; the period from 1750 AD - 1850 AD is the middle period; thereafter it is the Modern period which is divided into two parts: a) the period of European rule or freedom struggle and b) the period of Independence or Renaissance.

The first work of Islamic Tamil literature is Palsanthamaalai. Cheerapuranam was written in 1703. This first period comes to an end with the birth of Javaathupulavar in 1745 AD. The literature of this period focuses on the Prophet and His family.

The literature of the 17th and 18th centuries, which belongs to the Middle period, formed a turning point in the history of Islamic Tamil literature. Javaathupulavar Mohaideen Pillai Thamizh was a milestone.

Early Islamic writers served the cause of Islam and Tamil. Today’s writers general works and in addition to Islamic works. The writers of traditional poetry were Sadavathani Sheikkuthambi Paavalar, Sarana Baskar and others like Ka.Mu.Sheriff. Sheikkuthambi Paavalar was a Sadavathani. He was capable of concentrating on a hundred things at the same time. He was a master of puns. There were many Islamic poets who sang about freedom Struggle.

The New poetry focused on themes like humanism, globalizations etc. The major poets of this genre are Kaviko Abdul Rahman, Mu. Metha, Inkulap and Abi.

Vellatti Masala written in 1856 is the first prose work. It recounts Islamic principles in the form of questions and answers. Later Arab and Persian stories were translated into Tamil.

The Muslims made valuable contribution to the growth of Tamil short stories, Makathi, J.M. Saali, Karuna Manalan and Jiyavudeen were famous short story writers. The famous novelists are: Hassan, Thoppil Mugamathu Meeran, J.M. Saali and Karunamanalan.

Tamil Islamic creative writers thus created works which transcended religion and contributed to Tamil literary history.