Spirituality of a Tamil Muslim
Cenkāntal
Mr. Anwar S
I
n its history, ever since Islam bloomed out of the sandy deserts of Arabia in the early 7th century, Muslims have faced many threats. It was always localized, confined to different regions of the world. Like the crusades that played out in Europe and West Asia, or the Mongols on a conquering spree in the medieval times or certain colonial encounters with the likes of overzealous Portuguese. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union and the communist ideology, one witnesses the emergence of a worldwide Islamophobia, unfortunately coinciding with the rise of Hindutva forces at home. For the first time, the Tamil Muslim faces a threat, right in his homeland, where he never felt threatened, barring a brief period leading to the Indian independence and thereafter. For a pious Tamil Muslim, there are two aspects which sustain him in these trying times. The first is the Quran and the other is the Tamil Dravidian identity. It is common refrain among the Tamil Muslims that “Islam engal vazhi, inbath Tamil engal mozhi” which essentially means that “Islam is our way and sweet Tamil is our language”. Like any holy book, the Holy Quran offers hope to those who are tormented. There are many verses in the holy Quran, which give comfort to those facing hardship. One verse widely quoted among the Muslims, is from the Surah Ash Sharh - The Relief (94.6) “So, Verily, With Every Difficulty, There is Relief / ease!!” In this verse, the word “relief” is used in plural form. This implies that relief is always twice as powerful as difficulties or suffering. As such, no matter how trying the times may be, hardship can never overwhelm Allah’s Blessings!! Along with many other Quranic verses, the hardships faced by various prophets, from Ibrahim (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are constantly recalled over sermons for the faithful, not to lose hope.
The Tamil and the overlapping Dravidian identity offers the Tamil Muslim another great comfort. The inclusive Dravidian Movement does not discriminate on the basis of religion and its proponents have from the early days of the movement, identified social justice with that of the Islamic founding principles. The Quran and the shared linguistic and cultural bonding with the fellow Tamils, that date back to more than a millennium helps the Tamil Muslim sustain himself against any hatred directed at him / her.
(S Anwar is a writer, photographer and filmmaker with a deep interest in history. He was commissioned by the ASI to make a series of short films on the ‘Big Temple’ at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, to commemorate the 1000th year of the construction of the temple. His documentary film ‘Yaadhum’ on the history and identity of the Tamil Muslims had won many awards.)
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