A drawing from Flacourt of the XVII th century showing the people of Madagascar being partly Indonesian and partly African. The Arab and Persian element in the population which is mentioned in the text was neglect-able.

Back to Table of Contents (5)
To next page
Aladua Ralakatibu (prayer of the Khatib = orator) is a Khutba = sermon
(originally from about 1250) (found in Madagascar)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In manuscript 8 of the arabico-malgache (=Madagascar) manuscripts of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris Gabriel Ferrand found the following kutba (=sermon). Two parts of the text are given. Title and author unknown. This first small anecdote is rather important for East-African history as it gives some information about immigration in the Indian Ocean. In the second (also important) it seems that the Zanj (=inhabitants of East Africa) were not on good terms with the Muslims in Madagascar.
Taken from: Gabriel Ferrand: les Migrations Musulmanes et Juives a Madagascar in L’Histoire des Religions 1905
Are mentioned in this sermon: The Prophet and his family, Abu Bakr (2), Omar et Othman (3), Aisa (4), Fatima (5), Hasan et Hosain (6), al-asara mubassara the two uncles of the Prophet Hamza (7) and Al-Abbas (8), the Caliph Abu Ahmad Abdallah al-Musta’sim billah with the title Amir al-Muminin, prince of the believers, His imperial highness the Sultan ?????? son of the Sultan Othman.
 The Caliph al-Mostasim ruled from 1242 till 1258 AD when the Mongols destroyed Baghdad.
As this sermon calls him prince of the believers the Muslims in Madagascar who used this sermon must have been sunnis who left the muslim lands shortly before the Mongols destroyed Baghdad to settle in Madagascar.
 

Taken from: Textes magiques malgaches:  Gabriel Ferrand - 1907  

 

0 pillar of heaven and earth, O Allah, O Creator of souls, o compassionate, it's you who's generosity, the generous 0 Allah, the compassionate, O light, O light of Allah! You drive in the (good) path to victory in the wars against the infidels Zendjs (1). 0 my God, let me (with your help) to repel evil (as I do with) the Zendj which are among the tyrants, Somebody son of Somebody, his tribe, his army and his followers. Interpose yourself between us and them, for thou art powerful over everything. 0 our Lord, give us complete consistency, strengthen our steps, make us winners (in our fighting) against the infidels and put them to flight with the permission of God Most High. I ask you, O Allah…

(1) This text talks about more wars against the Zanj by the Muslims in Madagascar. And according to their prayer victory seems not certain. This also might be a war against the newcomers, the Bantu, emigrating from the African continent. Another mention (but unsure) of this type of war is found in Ibn Said (1250) in which the Zendj chase the Indians from the Island of Mend.

(2) Abu Bakr: (573 CE – 634 CE), was the senior companion and was, through his daughter Aisha, a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as the first caliph of Islam.

(3) Omar et Othman: second and third caliph of islam.

(4) Aisa: was Muhammad's third and youngest wife.

(5) Fatima: (605 — 633), daughter of Muhammad.

(6) Hasan et Hosain: the two grandsons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

(7) Hamza: (c. 568 – 625) was a foster brother, companion and paternal uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

(8) Al-Abbas: (c. 565 – c. 653 CE) was paternal uncle and Sahabi (companion) of Muhammad.