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1. The relationship between the Arabs and Sri Lanka
Reasons for the relationship
- Sri Lanka's location, and the Arabs' knowledge and experience of sea travel → contact even before the Christian era began.
- Even before the rise of Islam, Arab traders traded in the Indian Ocean region; they were agents in the exchange of goods between East and West.
- Sri Lanka lay in the middle of the trade route linking East and West → a stopping point for Arab trade voyages.
- Facilities that made Arab traders stop there: harbours, trade goods, security, food, drinking water, ship-repair facilities.
- They were keen to set up settlements in South Asia and South-East Asia.
Historical evidence
| Evidence | Details |
|---|---|
| From before 310 BCE | In trade between Madagascar and Sumatra, they used Sri Lanka as a middle zone |
| Pliny (23–79 CE) | The Arabs on the Malabar coast and in Sri Lanka were experts in maritime activities; large numbers in Malabar, a small number in Sri Lanka |
| Ptolemy (150 CE) | The knowledge of Sri Lanka in his map was obtained from the seafaring Arabs |
The Arab–Sri Lanka relationship existed from before the rise of Islam; after the coming of Islam it became even stronger.
2. When Islam was introduced to Sri Lanka
- Although there is no clear dated evidence, it can be inferred from reliable evidence.
- In his last years the Prophet ﷺ sent the message of Islam to many countries of the world (his letters are evidence); historians say letters were sent to the eastern countries too.
(1) The Prophet's ﷺ time – Wahb ibn Abi Habsa
| Source | Statement |
|---|---|
| Thomas Arnold | A Companion named Wahb ibn Habsa went to China carrying the Prophet's message |
| M. C. Siddi Lebbe – "Muslim Nesan" | "In 628 CE the Prophet ﷺ sent a Companion named Wahb ibn Abi Habsa to the king of Sri Lanka; the Companion who delivered the letter was given permission to carry out his work." He returned home in 632 CE |
These two pieces of evidence support the view that Islam was introduced to Sri Lanka in the Prophet's ﷺ own time.
Note: English-language works (e.g. Thomas Arnold's The Preaching of Islam) give this Companion's name as Wahb ibn Abi Kabshah. The spelling "Habsa" follows the Tamil textbook. Use the textbook form in the exam.
(2) The time of Caliph 'Umar (RA) – Ibn Shahriyar
- The historian Ibn Shahriyar – the book "'Aja'ib al-Hind":
- The Arabs settled in Sri Lanka sent a capable man, with another as his companion, to learn correct information about the Prophet ﷺ.
- When the envoy reached Arabia, the Prophet ﷺ and the first caliph had died, and the second caliph was ruling.
- He learned about Islam from 'Umar (RA) and set off back; on the way he died on the Makran coast (Pakistan); the servant who went with him reached Sri Lanka and passed on the information about Islam.
(3) 8th century CE – the Banu Hashim settlement
- In the reign of the Umayyad caliphs 'Abd al-Malik and al-Walid, fearing the cruelty of al-Hajjaj, governor of Iraq, the Banu Hashim – regarded as enemies of the Umayyad state – settled on the coasts of South India and Sri Lanka.
- Evidence: Sir James Emerson Tennent – the book "Ceylon".
(4) Early 8th century CE – the conquest of Sindh
- Evidence: the historian al-Baladhuri – the book "Futuh al-Buldan".
- The Sri Lankan king Dathopatissa II sent the widows and orphaned children of Arab traders who had died in Sri Lanka back to Arabia.
- They and the ship were captured by pirates at Debal, near present-day Karachi.
- Al-Hajjaj wrote to Raja Dahir, king of Sindh, asking him to free the women; the request was ignored.
- An army was sent under Muhammad ibn Qasim, and Sindh was conquered by the Muslims in 715 CE.
(5) Other evidence
- Arab coins found in Sri Lanka confirm that Muslims lived in Sri Lanka in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AH.
- Gravestones and inscriptions:
- The gravestone of Khalid ibn Bakaya, set up in 337 AH, was found in 1787.
- At the request of the Sri Lankan Muslims he was sent to Colombo by the caliph in Baghdad (Abbasid) to teach Islam, and did religious work there; the stone was found during the British period.
3. The good character and social position of the early Muslims
- The kings and people of Sri Lanka welcomed them and treated them hospitably.
- To make import and export easier, their settlements and warehouses were on the coast.
- They brought in needed foreign goods, and took local products to the international market, introducing both the goods and the country at international level.
- They behaved courteously with the local kings and people; medical and transport services.
- They had no intention at all of occupying the land or plundering its resources.
Results
- A monopoly in Sri Lanka's import and export trade; they became advisers to the government on trade.
- For their services they were given separate residential areas; they won the hearts of the local people so much that local women were given to them in marriage.
- High posts such as minister and ambassador under the Sinhala kings.
- The Islamic caliphate too kept watch over the Sri Lankan Muslims (the example of Khalid ibn Bakaya).
Areas of settlement
| At first (coastal towns) | Later (gradually) |
|---|---|
| Colombo, Beruwala, Galle, Matara | Kurunegala, Gampola, the central hill country |
Their descendants are the Muslim community living today in many parts of the country.
4. Taking part in the national good
The economy
- They carried Sri Lanka's gems, ivory and spices abroad.
- Arab traders and pilgrims, who believed that the mountain bearing the footprint of Adam (AS) is in Sri Lanka, made the island famous through their travels.
- A great contribution to earning foreign exchange through exports → as people began to produce, the country's income increased.
- They also worked for agricultural improvement, and took part in farming themselves.
- They brought weavers from abroad and developed weaving.
- They introduced and managed the transport system called "tavalam" (caravans of pack animals).
Politics and diplomacy
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Parakramabahu the Great (1156–1186) – Polonnaruwa | 4 Muslims were appointed as trade advisers at his court – Professor S. Paranavitana confirms what the geographer al-Idrisi reports |
| Ambassador to Egypt | The Sri Lankan government sent a Muslim who took part in the import–export trade as ambassador to Egypt |
| King Mayadunne | To drive out the Portuguese, he sent Muslims as envoys to obtain the help of the Zamorin, king of Calicut; the Muslims obtained military help and also fought themselves |
| The Kandyan king | Muslims also served as his envoys |
| The British period | They worked in the country's administration too |
The struggle for independence
- In the later part of the 19th century they struggled for the country's independence together with the other communities.
- When the British, with their divide-and-rule policy, tried to divide the communities and delay independence, Muslim leaders including T. B. Jayah joined the majority community in speaking out, which made gaining independence easier.
- The fair arguments of Muslim politicians were among the factors through which self-rule, ended in 1815, was regained in 1948.
Other fields
Social harmony, educational development, the judiciary, health, international relations – the contribution of Muslims, then and now, is unforgettable.
Quick revision
- Arab–Sri Lanka relationship: before the Christian era; 310 BCE; Pliny (23–79 CE); Ptolemy (150 CE).
- Prophet's time: Wahb ibn Abi Habsa – to the king of Sri Lanka in 628 CE, returned 632 (Siddi Lebbe – Muslim Nesan; Thomas Arnold – China).
- 'Umar's time: Ibn Shahriyar – 'Aja'ib al-Hind; the envoy died on the Makran coast.
- 8th century CE: Banu Hashim settlement (Tennent – Ceylon); Dathopatissa II – Debal – Raja Dahir – Muhammad ibn Qasim – conquest of Sindh 715 CE (al-Baladhuri – Futuh al-Buldan).
- Khalid ibn Bakaya – gravestone 337 AH, found 1787, sent by the caliph in Baghdad, Colombo.
- Settlement: Colombo, Beruwala, Galle, Matara → Kurunegala, Gampola, hill country.
- Contribution: gems, ivory, spices; weaving; tavalam; 4 advisers at Parakramabahu's court (al-Idrisi, Paranavitana); Mayadunne – Zamorin; T. B. Jayah; 1815 → 1948.