Cheraman Juma Mosque

The mosque was built in the Kerala-Islamic traditional Vastu shastra architectural style, with hanging lamps, making the historicity of its date claims more convincing.

Modern corridors and halls were added in 1984, which surround the original building, and conceal almost all of the exterior features of the original structure. A dome and minarets were added in 1994 and removed following a restoration of the building in 2022.

The mosque is located on the Paravur–Kodungalloor Road.

History

One legend states that the mosque was built in 629 CE. Other scholars are more skeptical and, based on the architectural style, have dated the structure from the 14th-15th century.

Legend of a Chera king

According to some legends, the Chera king witnessed a supernatural event mentioned in the Quran The story goes that the Chera king arrived in Arabia with a gift of ginger pickles for Muhammad and his companions and converted to Islam "at the feet of Prophet Muhammad".

According to historian M.G.S. Narayanan, "there is no reason to reject the tradition that the last Chera king embraced Islam and went to Mecca, since it finds its place not only in Muslim chronicles, but also in Hindu brahmanical chronicles like the Keralolpatti, which need not be expected to concoct such a tale which in no way enhances the prestige of the Brahmins or Hindu population."

Scholar Mehrdad Shokoohy however traced such legends to a much later accounts with different dating than the supposed earlier date. Historical research has found this story to be fictitious.

Cheraman(meaning respectful Chera) is a proclamation attribute given to great Chera kings. This mosque can't be associated to the Cheraman Perumal Nayanmar as his lifetime was in 8th century and prophet Muhammad lifetime is in 6th and 7th centuries.