Islam, central to the life of Maldivians, not only lays the cultural background and life style, but lays down the smallest details of everyday behavior. Until recently, pre-Islamic history was ignored. But while the contribution of pre-Islamic culture is now appreciated, a non-believer still cannot become a citizen of the Republic of Maldives.


The president is the religious as well as political leader. The law is based on the Muslim code of sharia, which applies the principles of the Quran to society as interpreted by a qazi (judge). Indeed, like all Muslims, Maldivians do not distinguish between law and religion, sharia, the nearest word for law, means the way, the true path of enlightenment.
The main events and festivals in Maldivian life follow the Muslim calendar. From the age of 3, children are taught the Arabic alphabet, memorize extracts from the Qur'an, and learn the basic principles and history of Islam. As they grow older they will be expected to say prayers with the family.
On Fridays, the boys go with their fathers in their best clothes to the local mosque, girls go with their mothers to the mosque for women, if there is one, or pray at home. When they grow up, the ambition of all Maldivians is to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Advent Of Islam In Maldives

There is a well known legend on the introduction of Islam in Maldives. When King, Dhovimi Kalaminja (Sri Bavana MahaaRadhun) was ruling Maldives, an Arab named Abul Barakaath came to Maldives from North Africa. At that time there was a practice of offering a virgin every month to a spirit called "Rannamaari", which was said to appear from the sea. Abul Barakaath made the spirit not to appear any more by reciting the Holy Qur'an. Convinced by the faith of Islam, the King and the people became Muslims. After sometime the King went to Mecca and nothing was heard of him again.
His descendants ruled Maldives. Abul Barakaath was burried at Male' and his tomb lies adjacent to the Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque).

Islamic beliefs

Belonging to the Sunnis, the largest and most traditional Islamic sect, Maldivians believe that "There is only one God, Allah - the Almighty", confident that Allah is one, supreme and all-powerful above everything. They also believe that "Muhammad" is the messenger of Allah. In a long line of prophets which includes Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus. Muhammad is considered the last and greatest. Mohamed is not divine, the arch-angel "Gabriel" brought Mohamed the message of Allah, and Mohamed is man at his best. It's the aim of all Muslims to practice Islam.
At the same time, Maldivians follow the liberal Shafiite school, founded by Al-Shafii, an Arab-born Persian descended from the Qurayishi tribe. He usually gave equal weight to the Quran, and to the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad as written down in the "Hadith".
In some cases he preferred to rely on the latter in interpreting the principles of Islam for society. Maldivians, therefore, share similar beliefs to the Muslims of the East Indies, East Africa, lower Egypt and southern Arabia.
All Maldivians believe in an afterlife and a final judgement that decides whether they go to hell or heaven. Only right conduct can assure the latter, which entails keeping to the five pillars of the religion, to repeat the creed
"There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah" (La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul Allah), to say prayers five times a day (at dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset and after darkness), to give alms to the poor, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca if possible at least once in a lifetime, and to fast during the month of Ramadan.

Islamic justice

In applying sharia, or sariyathu as it is locally known, Maldives is fairly lenient compared with other Muslim states. The women do not generally observe purdah or cover themselves. Neither is punishment for breaking Qur'anic law too severe. When Ibn Battuta became the gazi chief minister of justice and ordered tile traditional Islamic punishment of cutting the hand off a thief, several Maldivians in his presence fainted at the thought of it. Only once, during the reign of Mohammed Amin Didi in this century, have thieves had their hands cut off. Maldivians are peace loving. Violent crime, like murder or rape, is extremely rare. In the old days a murderer would be flogged through the streets before banishment for life to a remote island.
Prisons for serious criminals and political detainees have been established only recently. People are still flogged with a dhurra, (a taut leather strap with flat copper studs down the sides). Anyone caught committing adultery undergoes flogging on the thighs. The most common and traditional punishment is house arrest or banishment to another island, far away from family and friends. Anyone caught drinking alcohol is usually banished for a year. Fines are imposed for petty crime. If a banished person works hard they can become a respected member of the local community. With a new sense of self-esteem, it is extremely rare that they commit a crime again.

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