Nafeesath Mala: Sufi Devotion and Representation of Female Sainthood in Malabar

Abstract

Mala literature constitutes a significant component of the cultural and literary heritage of the Mappilas of Malabar, particularly within the broader tradition of Arabi Malayalam literature. The mala refers to a genre of devotional poetry that praises and commemorates the lives, virtues, spiritual qualities, and miraculous deeds (Karamat) of revered Islamic saints and spiritual personalities. Among such works, Nafeesath mala, composed by Nalakath kunjimoideen kutty, occupies a distinctive position by celebrating the life and spiritual legacy of Sayyidah Nafisah, an  eminent female scholar, ascetic, and descendant of the prophet Muhammed. This study aims to examine the thematic structure of Nafeesath mala and analyse its cultural significance in the devotional life of the Muslims of Malabar. it specifically examines themes such as Sufi devotion, spiritual authority, piety, Karamat, tawassul, and the representation of Sayyidah Nafisah as a female saint. It also explores how these themes reflect the religious beliefs, devotional practices, and cultural traditions associated with Mala literature in Malabar. It’s a qualitive research methodology based on library research, the study draws upon the primary text, relevant secondary literature, and interviews with scholars specializing in mala literature. The primary source is Nafeesath mala by Nalakath Kunjimoideen Kutty. Secondary sources include books, journals articles, and scholarly studies on Arabi Malayalam literature. Selected Mala texts are also used to comparatively to contextualise its themes and cultural functions. The findings reveal that Nafeesath mala faithfully follows the conventions of the mala genre while distinguishing itself through its exclusive focus on female religious scholar and saint. The poem combines devotional expression, biographical narration, historical episodes, and supplication within a harmonious poetic framework, thereby broadening the thematic scope of Arabi Malayalam mala literature. Furthermore, its continued recitation in Malabar, particularly in connection with prayers for safe child birth, demonstrates its enduring religious, literary, and cultural significance. This study contributes to the growing scholarship on Arabi-Malayalam literature by providing a thematic, literary, and cultural analysis of nafeesath mala and highlighting its importance within Malabar Mala literary heritage.