The thangals are a social group[3] among the Muslims of Kerala, south India (Sunni-Shafi'i).[1] The thangals are often regarded as roughly equivalent to the more general Sayyids/Sharifs (descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) of the wider Islamic culture.[2][3] They are the direct descendants of Muhammad. Most members of the community practices endogamy and rarely marry outside from their community.[4][5]
The thangal families are numerous in Kerala, all receive recognition, but only a few are regarded as saints.[2] The thangal tag brings much 'reverence and attention' in the Kerala Muslim community.[6] Some people take advice from them on crucial matters.[3] There are many thangals in Kerala who 'treat' people for illness and to ward off 'evils'.[3]
Thangal families have many gradations of status on social and economic scale. Influential of the thangals generally come from prominent business families. They usually exercise their influence through commerce and politics.[2]