Kerala had connections with Arabia from the time of Solomon. Arabs traded with Kerala for gold, ivory, monkeys and peacocks. Arab merchants came to Kerala from Egypt long before the Romans. Their main port was Alexandria and ours Kodungallore. Pre Khuran references to black pepper ,swords from India and teak in Arab poetry indicate trade connection to Kerala. It took about 30 to 40 days for Arabs to make the journey to Kerala.

Muslims of Kerala have always believed that their origins in Kerala go back to 7th century AD when the religion originated in Arabia. The numbers increased in the 9th century. In the 8th century there were many centers for religious conversion in the state. Cheraman Peramal's pilgrimage to Mecca was a major influence in this regard. The history of Moslems in Kerala is closely intertwined with the history of Moslems in nearby Laccadives islands. Kerala's only Moslem kingdom was Kannanore's Arakkal family. Historians disagree as to the time period of Arakkal rulers. Some claim that ancient coins date the Arakkal rulers to the 8th century. Kerala historian Mr. A. Sridhara Menon seem to believe that the Arakkal kings came to power in 16th or 17th century and issued their coins at the earliest in the 18th century. One of the rulers that presided over the kingdom was Junumma Beevi who ruled for 49 years. By 1909 Arakkal rulers lost Cannanore and cantonment. By 1911 there was further decline with loss of chenkol and udaval. During those years they allied and clashed with the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English. The British played the biggest part in removing all vestiges of titles and power from the Arakkal rulers. One of the last kings Arakkal Abdu Rahiman Ali Raja (1881 -1946) was active in helping his subjects. The last ruler was Ali Raja Mariumma Beevi Thangal. After her time the family broke up.

It was during the time of Samuthiris that the title of 'Marakkar' was created. During the reign of the four marakkars Muslims played significant role in trade. During the time the second Marakkar Moslems spread from port areas to hillsides of Valapattanam, Theekkodi, Pandalayani, Kakkadu, Kozocodu, Ponnani. From there many migrated to Palakkadu. Moslem influence reached it's peak at the time of Kunjali Marakkar (4th).After Kunjali Marakkar and Samuthiri parted company Moslem influence declined.

During the Dutch period a prominent Moslem trader named Mooskoi spearheaded the development of trade centers in Chenganacherri, Pandalam, Kayamkulam, and Alappuza. During the time of Hyderali and Tippu Sultan there was a revival amongst Moslems of Malabar. The Arakkal king signed a treaty with Hyderali. Samathuri followed up with his own treaty with Hyder.

In the post Tippu era king Pazassi waged war against the British with the help of Malabar Moslems. In the 19th century anti British riots erupted on account of their repressive policies. The British passed a very repressive act in 1852.

19th century saw political servitude and financial ruin. The 1832 earth quake in Malabar and subsequent famine led to mass migration of Moslems to Cochin and Travancore. A prominent leader at the end of 19th century was Veliyankottu Ummarkhasi. From the end of the 19th century to the first three decades of this century those who led the community include Hamadini Sheik, Vakkam Abdul Kadar Mawlawi, and Seethi Sahib.

The so called "MAPPILA LAHALA'' was actually a chapter of India's freedom struggle.  It was the expression of the built up frustration and rage amongst Moslems against British Government and land lords. Many prominent Moslems played leadership roles in the 'Khilaphath movement' and Indian National Congress. The British tried to split the Hindues and Moslems as part of their 'divide and rule' strategy. Many Moslems were hanged or deported. The British were eventually forced to abandon their scheme to deport large numbers of Moslems to Andamans. Relief organizations came to the aid of widows and orphans. One of the orphanages established then still exists on Maryhill in Calicut. Social, educational and service organizations evolved around religious institutions. Ponnani was a major center of higher learning. Students from foreign lands came to study there. There were institutes attached to mosques in Ponnani, Thanoor, Thirurangadi, Parappanangadi, Nadapuram, Kodiyathur, Mahi, Vadakara and Payannur some 700 years ago. In Kodiyathur, the studies were with related to the well known Kodiyathur Jum Masjid.

People from Malabar region participated in various phases of the Indian independence struggle such as the salt law protest, and non-cooperation with the rulers. In the first elections in Travancore Moslem League and Congress ran under an alliance. Mr. T. A. Abdulla became a minister. In Cochin state mr. Siti Sahib was elected unopposed to the state assembly. Both he and Mr. V. K. Kutty Sahib fought for the rights of Muslims in the state. Cochin mail and Chandrika were Moslem newspapers who played major roles in these efforts.

Moslem League which was started in Malabar in 1937 extended their activities in to the newly formed Kerala state. After India's independence Moslem League continued to be politically active although there were dissident voices from time to time. Moslems also actively participated in the political process through Congress, Socialists and communists.

In the Panampilly ministry Mr. A. A. Rahim and in the E.M.T. ministry Mr. T. A. Majeed served. Ms. Ayisha Bhai was deputy speaker. In the Pattam Thanu Pillai ministry Mr. P . P. Ummarkoya was minister of education. Both Mr. Sithi Sahib and Mr. C. H. Mohamad Koya have been speakers. In the subsequent years a number of prominent leaders became ministers. The list of names include C. H. Mohamad Koya, P. K. KUNJU, E. K. Impichi Bawa and Avukkadar Kutty Naha.

There were a multitude of organizations working in the social, educational, cultural and religious spheres by now. Several arts colleges and an engineering college in Quilion and postgraduate institutions in Faroke, Pulikkal and Arikkode are matter of great pride for the Muslim community of Kerala.

Kerala Moslems follow their religious practices stringently. Belief in one God, prayers five times a day, Ramsan fast, Sakkath and Hajj are some of the traditional observances of Islam. Prayers are usually held in mosques. A religious scholar named ' Khathib' leads the prayers. Friday prayers are mandatory for Moslems. The mosques called Juma masjids are ruled by an elected local committee. Most of the older mosque are built like Hindue temples. Examples are the mosques in Calicut, Kottayam and Kodungallore. The Moslem mosques in South India are quite distinct in this regard compared to the ones in northern India.