How The Maldives Became Muslim

Did you ever wonder how the Maldives became Muslim? Located just southwest of India, which is predominantly Hindu, and Sri Lanka, which is predominantly Buddhist, it does make on wonder how this came to be.

The story behind it is a legend, that includes an Arab trader from Morocco, who was visiting the Maldives in the 12th century.

How The Maldives Became Muslim

Buddhist since around the 3rd century BC, the last Buddhist King of the Maldives converted to Islam in the 12th century. He become a Sultan and took the name Muhammad al-Adil.

All because the Maldives was an important stop for Arab traders at that time, and one influential trader in particular, Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari from North Africa.

The legend behind this conversion is below.

Legend of The Maldives Conversion To Muslim

In the 12th century, the people of the Maldives lived in fear of an evil sea demon, Rannamaari. According to the Buddhist King at the time, this demon demanded the sacrifice of a virgin, monthly, to protect the people from its wrath. Each month, the king held a lottery to select a woman for sacrifice. The selected woman was placed in a tower for Rannamaari, and each time, she was tragically found lifeless the next day.

Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari was visiting when one of the young women was selected. In fact, the woman selected was the only daughter of the family home he was stating Family was so distraught, the trader offered to spend the evening in place of the young girl. Instead of their daughter going to the tower, the trader went in her place and spent the entire night in the tower recounting verses from the Quran.

The daemon showed that night, but upon hearing the verses of the Quran, he turned away. Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari lived through the night. The The King, amazed, wanted to make sure Rannamaari would never return. He vowed to convert the nation to Islam if the trader was able to permanently remove the demon. Rannamarri
never returned. Upon this success, the King followed through with his promise and converted the entire island to Muslim.

Tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari

In honor of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari’s amazing accomplishment, there is a tomb with his name. It’s located in Medhuziyaaraiy Shrine. This shrine is across from the old Friday Mosque, on Malé, the capital island. The Maldivians revere this shrine as he was responsible for showing them the light of Islam.

If visiting the main island of Malé, stop by to see it, and ask the locals about this story.

Hukuru Miskiiv, The Old Friday Mosque

The old Friday Mosque, was built by the Sultan who converted to Islam in the 12th century. The mosque that stands here today, though, was rebuilt to accommodate more people. Built of coral stone, this mosque is on the list of UNESCO tentative sites for use of sea creatures for architecture, as well as it’s historic and cultural significance, and construction methods.

Religion Today In The Maldives

Today the Maldives is 100% Muslim. In fact, to be a citizen and to own property here, you must be a Sunni Muslim. Non-Muslims, however, are welcome to visit, as long as they do not practice a religion other than Muslim there, or try to convert anyone to another religion.

Want To Learn More About The Maldives?

Who wouldn’t want to experience this tropical paradise? And although it’s best-known as a honeymoon location, there’s much more to the Maldives than dreamy overwater bungalows for newlyweds.

The Maldives also offers active vacations, with world-class waves for surfing (often paired with yoga). You can read more about Surfing in the Maldives here. I volunteered as a yoga instructor at one of the surf and yoga resorts on the islands and loved the islands, the beaches, and the people loving here!