Maulana Malik Ibrahim | |
|---|---|
مولانا مالك إبراهيم | |
 Mausoleum of Maulana Malik Ibrahim inGresik | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | c. 14th century CE |
| Died | 1419 Gapurosukolilo, Gresik |
| Spouse | Dewi Candrawulan |
| Children | Sunan Ampel and Ali Murtadha |
| Parent | Syekh Jumadil Qubro (father) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Shafi'i |
| Tariqa | Kubrawiya |
| Muslim leader | |
| Disciple of | Mir Sayid Ali Shafi Hamadani |
Maulana Malik Ibrahim (مولانا مالك إبراهيم; died 7 April 1419), also known asSunan Gresik orKakek Bantal, was the first of theWali Songo, the nine men generally thought to have introduced Islam toJava.[1]: 241
His habit of placing theQu'ran on a pillow led to him receiving the nicknameKakek Bantal (lit. Pillow Grandfather).[2]
Before the 19th century, Ibrahim was not considered one of theWali Songo, the saints who are believed to have spread Islam to Java. After his grave was rediscovered in the early 19th century, he was included in the core group. He was first listed as a Wali Songo inBabad Dipanegara.[3]
Ibrahim's origin is unclear, although it is generally agreed that he originated from outside of Java.[4] He is thought to have been born in the first half of the 14th century.[5] Ibrahim is known by several names in theBabad Tanah Jawi and other texts. In a transcription by J. J. Meinsma, he is identified as Makhdum Ibrahim as-Samarqandy (localised to Syekh Ibrahim Asmarakandi); this name indicates a possible origin fromSamarkand in modern-day Uzbekistan.[6] However, other sources have suggested that Asmarakandi came to Java in the 16th century and is buried inTuban Regency, making him a different person.[7] Meanwhile, according toBabad Tjerbon, Malik Ibrahim originated fromTyuleny Archipelago, north-easternCaspian Sea.[Notes 1] The most generally accepted history, supported by a reading byJ. P. Moquette of the inscription at Ibrahim's grave, identifies him as having come fromKashan, Persia (modern-day Iran).[6] Dutch writer and researcherMartin van Bruinessen describes Jumadil Kubra, Malik Ibrahim among all their students are followers ofKubrawiyyah .[9] Malik Ibrahim was born in Kashan, Syekh Jumadil Qubro and Malik Ibrahim are disciples ofKubrowiShafi'i school of Jurist Master Mir Sayid Ali Shafi Hamadani (died 1384), ofHamadan inPersia.[10][11]
Malik Ibrahim belonged to syed and highly educated family in Kashan, his grand grandfather migrated from Samarkand to Kashan, that is why their family also known as Samarkandi.[12] Ibrahim came to Java with his father, Syekh Jumadil Qubro or Kubro, and his brother Maulana Ishaq, fromPersia. According to this version, Qubro stayed in Java while his sons went abroad fordakwah: Ibrahim went toChampa (in modern-dayVietnam), while his brother went toPasai in northernSumatra. In his 13 years in Champa, Ibrahim provided healthcare and taught farmers more efficient ways to grow crops. He also married one of the king's daughters, whose name has been Indonesianised as Dewi Candrawulan, and had two sons. Their name are Ali Rahmatullah (later known asSunan Ampel) and Ali Murtadha.[13] When he felt that he had converted enough people to Islam, Ibrahim returned to Java without his family.[5][14]
Ibrahim landed at Sembalo, Learn, Manyar (9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of modern-dayGresik) in the late 14th century, where he became acquainted with the localpeople.[15][16] He began trading out of the harbour, dealing equally with people from differentcastes - social strata based in the dominant Hindu religion. By doing so, Ibrahim found popular support from the lower castes, which led to numerous conversions. He also continued his work from Champa, teaching the locals ways to improve harvests and treating the ill.[2]
Through his trading, Ibrahim became acquainted with the ruling class and nobles. After journeying toTrowulan to meet the king ofMajapahit, he was granted a landing on the outskirts of Gresik which was used for preaching; Ibrahim also founded anIslamic boarding school there.[15]
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A legend associated with Ibrahim is that one day, while travelling, he came across a young woman about to besacrificed to the gods in order to end a long-standing drought. After stopping a group of men from stabbing the woman, Ibrahimprayed for rain; when his prayers were answered, the group he had faced converted to Islam.[17]
Ibrahim died on 12Rabi' al-Awwal, 822Hijri (7 April 1419 on theJulian calendar). He was buried in Gapura village,Gresik,East Java.[4]
Malik Ibrahim's grave, which is without a headstone,[18] is a common destination for pilgrims, who read the Qu'ran and the life of Muhammad; they also partake in a dish unique to the area, harisah rice porridge.[19] In 2005 over 1.5 million pilgrims went to the grave,[16] for which there is an entry fee.[20] Most come on the anniversary of his death, based on theIslamic calendar.[21]
Near Ibrahim's grave is a stone marker bearing an inscription in Arabic, translated below:
This is the grave of a man who is sure to be forgiven by Allah and be granted happiness by The All-Gracious, the teacher of princes and adviser to sultans and viziers, friend of the poor and destitute. The great religious teacher: Malik Ibrahim, renowned for his goodness. May Allah grant His pleasure and grace, and bring him to heaven. He died on Senin, 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, 822 Hijri.[21]
The grave marker is made of stone from theKhambhat region of India. By comparing the marker with others found in the Pasai Kingdom, historians such asBrian Harrison andG. H. Bousquet have suggested that thespread of Islam in Indonesia originated in India.[22]
Both of Ibrahim's sons went on to spread Islam to Java after they became adults. The eldest, Ali Rahmatullah, is better known asSunan Ampel and is a member of the Wali Songo himself. The youngest was named Ali Murthada.[5] Ibrahim's work in eastern Java was continued by Raden Paku (later known asSusuhunan Giri) in Giri (now part ofJepara Regency of Central Java) and Ali Rahmatullah, whose name is now Raden Rahmat, founded an Islamic school inNgampel,Surabaya.[23]
Every year, the Gresik city government holds a festival to celebrate Ibrahim's birth. Known as Gebyar Maulid, the festival also serves to promote local culture.[24]
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