While Islam fundamentally advocates for equality among all believers, the Muslim community in Tamil Nadu exhibits social stratification based on history, traditional occupation, and ancestry, often functioning like social classes or biradaris (clans).
The major Tamil-speaking Muslim social groups are:
1. Primary Coastal and Trading Groups
These three communities are often considered the most prominent and are traditionally associated with maritime trade and high social status, often claiming partial Arab lineage.
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Marakkayar (Maraikkayar):
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Role: Historically the dominant maritime trading and seafaring community.
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Location: Primarily found in coastal areas (e.g., Kayalpattinam, Nagore, Kilakarai). Their name is thought to derive from Marakkalam (boat).
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Labbay (or Lebbai):
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Role: Traditionally associated with religious scholarship and clerical work, though their roles have broadened. Many Labbay individuals historically served as priests (Moulvis).
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Kayalar:
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Role: Another significant coastal trading group, whose name is linked to the port town of Kayalpattinam. They are often grouped with the Marakkayars due to their maritime focus.
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2. Inland and Land-Owning Groups
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Rowther (Rawther/Ravuttar):
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Role: Historically associated with land ownership, agriculture, and cavalry (the term Ravuttar traditionally meant horseman).
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Location: A large population concentrated in the interior and deltaic districts of Tamil Nadu. Some accounts link their origins to former Hindu communities who converted to Islam and became land-owners or horse traders.
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3. Other Classifications
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Dakhani (Dakani) Muslims: These groups, while present in Tamil Nadu (especially urban centers), are distinct as they are primarily Urdu-speaking and trace their origins to the Deccan Sultanates. They often categorize themselves into the pan-Indian elite groups:
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Syeds: Claim descent from the Prophet Muhammad.
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Shaikhs: Claim Arab or high-status local lineage.
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Mughals/Pathans: Claim Central Asian or Afghan ancestry.
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Pasmanda Muslims: This is an umbrella term and movement for all socially, educationally, and economically backward Muslim communities in India, including those in Tamil Nadu who converted from historically disadvantaged groups and traditionally engaged in artisan or menial labor (e.g., Dhobi, Qassab).
These groups maintain social boundaries through practices like endogamy (marrying within the same group), reflecting a persistence of caste-like social structures despite the egalitarian tenets of Islam.