The Oldest Mosque in the World: Palaiya Juma Palli

Aliza Rizwan

The Oldest Mosque in the World: Palaiya Juma Palli

The world's third oldest mosque was built by Yemeni merchants and traders during the pre-Islamic period, who had settled in the kingdom of the Pandyas of Madurai. The story goes that Badhan ibn Sasan, the Persian Governor of Yemen, was under the reign of Khoshrau II. It is located in Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu. The architecture of the mosque is a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architecture, making it a magnificent structure that is noted for its uniqueness. It serves as a place of worship for Muslims.

Palaiya Jumma Palli, Kilakarai. Source- Nabataea.net

The Oldest Mosque in the World: Palaiya Juma Palli

"Ibn Battuta, the renowned Islamic scholar, marvelled at the people living there, feeling as if they were in an Arab land," recounted his travel notes. Old Juma Palli, visited by the Arab traveller Ibn Battuta in 1368-69 CE, was called "Lebbat Pattan" ("town of Muslims") as "Labbai" means Tamil Muslim and "pattan" is a corruption of "patnam" or "pattinam," meaning town.

The old Jumma Masjid, also known as Palaiya Jumma Palli, is believed to be one of the oldest mosques in the world, alongside Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallar, Kerala. This heritage structure is located in Kilakarai, an ancient port town in the southern part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, known for its Islamic culture. It was built by Yemeni merchants and trade settlers during the pre-Islamic period in the Pandiya kingdom, constructed under the rule of Baadhan (Bazan ibn Sasan), Governor of Yemen during the time of Prophet Muhammad, after they converted to Islam in 625–628 CE during the time of Kavadh II.

The mosque was under the care of the Arabs, and their subsequent generations managed this ancient mosque. Elaborate carvings grace the surfaces of the mosque walls, and magnificent beams adorn the Old Jumma Mosque. The mosque exhibits a Dravidian architectural look, signifying a blend of local Dravidian and Islamic culture.

The mosque is also popularly referred to as Meen Kada Palli or Palaiya Jumma Palli. The Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai represents the glory of Islamic heritage dating back over 1000 years.

Inside the mosque, devotees will notice a Mihrab carving on the wall, signifying the Qibla, the direction of prayer towards Kaba. This singular evidence identifies the place as a mosque. The mihrab of this mosque precisely faces the Kaaba, which indicates the early navigation system followed here. The name pallavasal means a place of worship with many doors, which is the Tamil name for the mosque.

The mosque, along with others in the town, stands as a remarkable example of Dravidian Islamic architecture. It boasts beautiful carvings and the finest design of Islamic architecture in the southern part of India. It offers great insights into Islamic building designs for places of worship and showcases the creativity and innovation of the Islamic rulers of India during that era. The Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai bears a striking resemblance to a Hindu temple. Like any temple, there are no idol carvings on the walls or pillars of the outer and inner walls of the mosque.

Legend has it that Badhan ibn Sasan, Persian Governor of Yemen during Khoshrau II's reign, was ordered by his ruler to bring the future Prophet Mohammed to Khosrau II. Two men were sent for this task, demanding that Mohammed accompany them. However, Muhammad refused and prophesied that Khoshrau II had been overthrown and murdered by his son Kavadh II. The two men returned to Badhan with this information, which turned out to be true.

Impressed by the prophecy, Badhan converted to Islam and sent a message to Muhammad, informing him of his conversion, after which Muhammad allowed Badhan to continue ruling Yemen. Following this, Badhan ordered the two men, Persians, and Arabs living in Yemen and outside Yemen to convert to Islam in 628, including the Arab traders from Yemen who had settled in Kilakarai. The mosque was reconstructed in the 11th century after the Saheed War in 1036.