The Mappilas (historically called Mophlahs) are a Muslim community of Kerala. They are the earliest known Indian Muslim community, basically Arab merchants who settled in the Malabar coast in the 8th century, with the permission of the Chera dynasty. Subsequently, Mappilas adopted the local Dravidian language that later developed into Arabi-Malayalam.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mappilas were known for active armed attacks against British landowners, including the 1921 Moplah Revolt. Mappila Muslims follow the Shafi'te school of Muslim Jurisprudence.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mappilas were known for active armed attacks against British landowners, including the 1921 Moplah Revolt. Mappila Muslims follow the Shafi'te school of Muslim Jurisprudence.

According to the 2001 census, about one-quarter of Kerala's population (or 78,63,842 people) were Muslims. While this figure includes some Muslims who are not Mappilas, there are also many Mappilas who have left Kerala for other states in India. There are also substantial numbers of Mappilas in nearby Lakshadweep and Kodagu (Coorg) .

In Coorg many Kodavas converted to Islam during the rule of Tippu Sultan, " The sword of Mysore" and few others married Muslim Mophlas who had migrated from the neighbouring Kerala state. These converts, now Muslims, did not wish to exclude their clan/family name and hence even today they are known by their family names as the Kodavas.