History of Islam's Arrival in Indonesia
Since about 87 percent of Indonesia's population practices Islam, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. This is because Islam is actively spreading throughout the archipelago from the island of Sumatra to Sulawesi and Maluku. This has been going on for hundreds of years, with the Walisongo era being the height of Islam's global expansion.
Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world, has a rich history of how Islam came to be practiced there. It took a long time for Islam to spread throughout Indonesia and eventually become the religion with the most followers in the archipelago; this has been happening since the time of the kingdom.
There are numerous hypotheses explaining how Islam first arrived in Indonesia and later spread throughout the archipelago, becoming extensively practiced by the majority of the population at the time. It is thought that the history of Islam's introduction into Indonesia is consistent with these hypotheses since they are supported by facts.
In the Encyclopedia of Islamic History by Dr. Raghib As-Sirjani, which is listed below, Grameds can study about several theories on the history of how Islam arrived in Indonesia.
Due to this, the following hypotheses describe how Islam first came to Indonesia throughout history:
Theories on the History of Islam's Arrival in Indonesia
There are numerous ideas that attempt to explain the history of Islam's introduction to Indonesia; nonetheless, the majority of these theories place this introduction at the start of the Hijri or around the year 700 AD. When Islam was practiced as a caliphate in Arab countries, the caliphate despatched envoys across the archipelago to preach the religion.
This is demonstrated by the presence of Arab villages or communities on Sumatra's west coast, which were frequently discovered by traders at the period. One theory about the beginning of the spread of Islam in Indonesia is that this Arab settlement existed.
Recommendable Books on Indonesia's History of Islamization However, there are a number of alternative ideas as well, such as the Chinese, Arabic, Persian, and Indian theories. Since no one can pinpoint exactly when Islam first began to spread over the archipelago, there are several hypotheses about how it arrived in Indonesia. For this reason, we offer a number of justifications for the theory positing the arrival of Islam in the archipelago here.
1. Indian theory (Gujarat)
This theory was coined by GWJ. Drewes and developed by Snouck Hurgronje and friends, besides the Indian theory or the Gujarat theory is also believed by Indonesian historian Sucipto Wirjosuprato who believes that the beginning of the history of the entry of Islam in Indonesia is through India (Gujarat).
The Indian theory or Gujarat theory is a theory which states that Islam entered Indonesia through traders from Muslim India (Gujarat) who traded in the archipelago in the 13th century. Merchants from Gujarat who came from Malacca then established relations with people in the western region of Indonesia and after that an Islamic kingdom was formed called the Samudra Pasai kingdom.
There is a lot of evidence that supports this Gujarat theory, one of which is the tomb of Malik As-Saleh who was one of the founders of the Samudra Pasai kingdom. The pattern of Malik As-Saleh's tombstone is very similar to the tombstones in Gujarat. Even the tomb of one of the Walisongo, namely the tomb of Maulana Malik Ibrahim, also has typical Gujarati tombstones such as the tomb of Malik As-Saleh.
2. Arabic theory (Mecca)
The Arabic theory (Mecca), another Islamic idea, contends that Islam arrived in Indonesia under the caliphate directly from Arabia (Mecca). JC van Leur offered Buya Hamka or Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah his endorsement for this theory.
Buya Hamka outlined the supporting documentation for Islam's arrival in Indonesia in his 1997 book History of Muslims. According to the evidence cited by Buya Hamka, a party of Arabs settled on the west coast of Sumatra Island in 625 AD. This information comes from an ancient Chinese text. Additionally, a tombstone bearing the name of Sheikh Rukunuddin, who passed away in 672 AD, was discovered in the region that at the time was under the control of the Sriwijaya Kingdom.
TW Arnold concurs with this theory. According to Arnold, at that time, the Arabs dominated trade in the archipelago. They later wed natives and spread the gospel throughout the archipelago.
3. Persian theory (iran)
The theory which states that the historical origin of the entry of Islam to Indonesia from the Persian state (which is now called Iran) is a theory supported by Husen Djadjadiningrat and Umar Amir Husen. Djajadiningrat argues that this Persian theory is in line with the origin of the entry of Islam into Indonesia. this is because according to Djajadiningrat Islamic culture in the archipelago has many similarities with Islamic culture in Persia.
One example of Islamic culture in the archipelago that is similar to Islamic culture in Persia is the calligraphy on tombstones in the archipelago. There are also several religious rituals such as tabot in Bengkulu and Tabuik in West Sumatra which are almost exactly the same as religious rituals in Persia which are held every 10th of the month of Muharram.
However, as we know, the flow of Islam in Persia is a Shia Islamic school, while the Islamic school that developed in Indonesia is a Sunni school. So this Persian theory is considered less relevant to the facts.
4. Chinese theory
Chinese theory is a theory which states that the origin of the history of the entry of Islam into Indonesia came from China, Islam itself developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-905 AD). Islam entered China itself brought by a Muslim commander named Saad bin Waqash who came from Medina during the Caliphate of Uthman bin Affan. Even one of the cities in China at that time, the city of Canton, was once the center of Muslim da'wah in China.
In the book Islam in China written by Jean A. Berlie (2004) states that the relationship between Muslims from Arabia and people in China occurred in 713 AD. The entry of Islam to the archipelago is also believed to coincide with the migration of Chinese Muslims to Southeast Asia, especially the archipelago, which mostly entered the southern part of Sumatra in 879 AD or the 9th century AD.
Another proof of this Chinese theory is the number of preachers who came from Chinese descent who had a great influence during the Demak kingdom. As we know, the Demak kingdom was the first Islamic kingdom on the island of Java. The history book written by Nana Supriatna states that the Demak sultanate was founded by Raden Patah who was the son of this Islamic Majapahit.
Many believe that Islam entered Indonesia in 700 AD or in the 7th century, this is because ancient Chinese records explain that at that time there were Arab villages or Arab settlements on the west coast of Sumatra island to around the Malacca strait.
Apart from trading, there are also propagators of pure Islam who intend to spread Islam by preaching. One of the most well-known examples of the spread of Islam in the archipelago is the Walisongo.
The walisongo not only spread Islam by preaching but also taught Islam by approaching indigenous people and mingling and following customs and socio-cultural life in the archipelago.
Islam entered Kalimantan in the 18th century, this is evidenced by the discovery of ancient Islamic tombs with tombstones. While in eastern Indonesia, Islam entered through Sulawesi which at that time was one of the areas that had an Islamic kingdom and its location was strategic for trade routes in eastern Indonesia.
There is so much history about Islam, that the people in it have their own differences that create dynamics and this is discussed in the book Dynamics of the History of Indonesian Muslims by Kuntowijoyo.
History of the Entry of Islam to Indonesia According to Records
There are many records that mention how Islam first entered Indonesia, then who brought it, how it affected people in the archipelago and others. even the record of Islam entering Indonesia consists of various theories, each theory also concludes the evidence and opinions.
For example, records from China that mention Islam entered Indonesia in the 7th century or 700 AD. Where at that time was a period of international trade and this archipelago route was also a strategic route for trade shipping at that time.
The island of Sumatra is also an area in the archipelago that received the spread of Islam first compared to other islands or other areas. The island of Sumatra became the first area to receive the spread of Islam because of the position of the island of Sumatra which was close to the Malacca strait which at that time was a business center or trade center.
In the Strait of Malacca there are many traders from all over the country and one of them is a trader from the Middle East such as Arabia and Persia. Traders from the Middle East not only trade but also spread Islam in the archipelago.
Based on the book Islam in the Current History of Indonesia, it is explained about the historical origin of how Islam developed in Indonesia, as well as the important role of the existing nation's binder. In addition, there is also a discussion of the early process of Islamization related to trade and also the formation of the kingdom.
1. Demographics
The demographic distribution of Muslims in Indonesia is mostly in the western part of Indonesia, especially in Java and Sumatra. Meanwhile, for the eastern region, the distribution of Muslims is in the areas of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku. For the Papua region, it could be said that it was rare because the Papua region at that time was not a priority for the spread of Islam because the population was still sparse.
The transmigration program from Java which was carried out on a large scale by President Suharto to eastern Indonesia was also one way to spread Islam in eastern Indonesia due to the increasing number of Muslim population there.
The spread of Islam in Indonesia occurred gradually and indirectly, starting from the western regions of Indonesia such as the Sumatra area which became the first place for the spread of Islam in the archipelago then Java to eastern Indonesia.
2. Architecture
Indonesia has a very strong Islamic architectural influence; in fact, nearly all of the country's buildings are inspired by Islamic architecture. For instance, the architecture of the traditional Betawi home, which features a broad terrace and a spacious hall. Large halls and open terraces are typically used as meeting areas for activities like recitation, preaching, lectures, and other activities linked to Islamic beliefs.
The large hall and the broad terrace are additional symbols of the Islamic civilization's legacy in Indonesia at the time. A mosque is one of Islam's architectural legacies and the first piece of Islamic heritage. Muslims utilize mosques as places of prayer, and all mosques have architecture that is heavily influenced by Islamic and Middle Eastern cultures.
However, there are several mosques that mix the architecture of the two cultures, this cultural acculturation is what causes the mosque to be unique. For example, the Cheng Ho Mosque which is a mosque with Chinese architecture is even shaped like a pagoda or pagoda. There are also mosques in the Java area which have an architecture similar to Hindu temples.
Mosques in Indonesia today have various forms, ranging from traditional, modern, minimalist style architecture to mosques with luxurious architecture. As a country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia has a large number of mosques, even hundreds of thousands.
The management of mosques in Indonesia is slightly different from other countries, especially in the Middle East. While in the Middle East, many mosques are managed by the government, in Indonesia, mosques are usually independent and are the full responsibility of the community.
3. Politics
Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation, hence Islam's influence on Indonesia's political climate cannot be dissociated. The level of unity among Islamic nations worldwide is also very high, with many of them even cooperating in many spheres to bring about their own success.
Despite the fact that the majority of Indonesians are Muslims and the country can be considered to be Islamic, Indonesia does not have an Islamic form of governance like Saudi Arabia. With its Bhineka Tunggal Ika, Indonesia implements a democratic system, despite the fact that one province—the Province of Aceh—applies Islamic law to regional legislation.
Following the 1998 change, it was simpler and easier for people to express their political opinions and their right to free speech. This time frame is referred to as the democratic era. Since the government did not forbid the formation of significant parties under the criteria suggested by the state, various parties with an Islamic foundation arose throughout this democratic era.
In addition to the many Islam-based community organizations that have emerged, Islamic-based political parties are still around and are becoming fairly large. This Muslim-based community group has a substantial membership and frequently hosts gatherings and other Islamic events to observe significant Islamic festivals.
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