HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAM IN WEST JAVA

 

History of the Entry of Islam in West Java

Before the majority of the population of Sunda (West Java) is now Muslim, the Parahyangan area was Hindu-Buddhist.

Before the legendary kingdom of Pajajaran with its most famous king, Prabu Siliwangi, on the Pasundan level it is said that there was Sri Jayabuphati, who is predicted to be the founder of the Sunda kingdom in 923 AD.

If you are still wondering, in West Java there are Pajajaran, Tarumanagara, Sundanese, and Galuh kingdoms.

Then the answer is, the names mentioned above are parallel and related to each other. 

Pajajaran is a continuation of the previous kingdoms, namely Tarumanagara, Sunda, and Galuh. All of which breathe Hindu-Buddhist.

It is interesting to note, when is the time for Islam to enter this Pasundan area?

From the book entitled "Black and White Pajajaran: From Glory to Fall" by Fery Taufiq El Jaquene, Islam began to enter the Sunda region during the reign of King Siliwangi.

In the book, Prabu Siliwangi (1428-1579) who has the title Sri Baduga Maharaja is said to have no problem with the entry of a new religion (Islam) into his territory.

In the Carita Parahyangan manuscript, it is stated that the Sundanese population began to recognize the new religion along with the arrival or trade relations between the Sundanese population and people from Arabia or the Middle East.

Along with that little by little the population of West Java began to embrace Islam. 

At first, the Sundanese who converted to Islam began to cause friction in the community. Those who convert must bear it at their own risk.

One of them is Bratalegawa. Bratalegawa in question was a nobleman as well as a wealthy merchant at that time.

Because he was none other than one of Bunisora's children, King Galuh.

In history, Bratalegawa referred to above is then known as the first Sundanese figure who embraced Islam. 

Because he often had trade relations with people from the Middle East, both domestically and when traveling abroad, Bratalegawa gradually became interested in the religion of Islam that was embraced by the Arabs.

Bratalegawa converted to Islam because his business associates had converted to Islam, also after he married a woman from Gujarat.

Bratalegawa got married on the occasion of his overseas visit (Gujarat). From this marriage, Bratalegawa was blessed with a son.

After converting to Islam, Bratalegawa then went on a pilgrimage. This is a milestone, where Bratalegawa became the first Sundanese figure to go on a pilgrimage. Inevitably, Bratalegawa was nicknamed Haji Purwa. Purwa (in Sundanese) means first.

Bratalegawa also has a new name Haji Baharudin Al-Jawi. 

When he returned to Kawali (the capital of Galuh), Bratalegawa tried to persuade Queen Banawati and her sister to convert to Islam.

After that Bratalegawa also persuaded the palace officials to convert to Islam. But all his efforts were in vain, he was flatly rejected.

Not heartbroken, Bratalegawa then visited Cirebon. His grandfather, who was in charge of Caruban Girang , also rejected the teachings of Islam that his grandson had given him.

However, his preaching elsewhere in Caruban Girang received a warm welcome, many Cirebon residents became his followers.

One of them is Syarif Hidayatullah or Sunan Gunung Jati who is famous as a propagator of Islamic symbols in Cirebon.

Seeing that Cirebon had become an Islamic kingdom, Prabu Siliwangi was not angry. The ruler was angry because Cirebon had a close relationship with Demak.

Even the joint Demak-Cirebon troops attacked one of the Pajajaran envoys, Tumenggung Jagabaya and 60 of his soldiers. Many Pajajaran troops were killed.

Jagabaya finally decided to embrace Islam.

This incident became the forerunner of King Siliwangi's anger and plans to take revenge by sending his troops to Cirebon. But thanks to the persuasion of the royal priests, Siliwangi canceled his intention.

At the suggestion of the priests, finally Pajajaran negotiated with Cirebon and understood Cirebon to develop its own territory.

Siliwangi became legendary, because he was very wise, the subordinate kings were very happy and loved Sri Baduga Maharaja, the people lived in prosperity, security and justice.

Traces or historical sources of the Pajajaran kingdom can be seen from various inscriptions , such as the Kawali Inscription, Sanghyang Tapak, or Slate, or chronicles (Waruga Guru, Parahyangan, and Pajajaran).