TVU-p2024MN-E

Islam has made a significant contribution to the history of Tamil literature. Islamic Tamil poets have created literary works on the principles of Islam and the Prophet. There are more than 2000 literary works in this genre.

Citilakkiyankal form a third of Islamic Tamil literature. They are classified into three types; No.1 Citilakkiyankal belonging to Tamil tradition; the second New type of Citilakkiyankal and lastly Makatpirapanthankal.

There are a number of Maalai Ilakkiankal in the Citilakkiyankal relating to Tamil tradition. Just as a garland is made of many flowers, Maalai Ilakkiyankal is made up of verses in different meters. The first work in this genre is Mikurasu Malai written by Aalipulavar in 1590 A.D. Mikurasu is the tamilisation of the Arab word Megraj which means “attaining greater heights”. We can interpret the word at prophet Mohammed’s journey to Heaven,

Mikurasu Maalai gives an account of the history of Islam. It narrates the story of Ibrahim Nabi.

Mikurasu Maalai gives an account of Islamic principles and rituals. God has no form; he is neither man nor women. Kalima says there is no God except Allah. It refers to the second and third chapters of Kur AAN, namely Bakra and Aala Imran. These chapters describe ways of succeeding in this life and the next life.

There are beautiful literary descriptions of the place and the Minbari which took the prophet to Heaven. Islamic Tamil poets also celebrated Tamil tradition and culture. For example we find that heavenly damsels performed Aalathi to Nabikal at every step, as he journeyed to Heaven.

Thus Mikrasu Maalai forms a milestone in the history of Islamic Tamil literature.