Traces of the Spread of Islam in East Java

 

History of the Entry of Islam in East Java

Based on material evidence, it is estimated that the influence of Islam began to enter the East Java region around the 11th century. The earliest material evidence of the entry of Islam into East Java is the tomb of Fatimah bint Maimun bin Hibatullah in Leran, Gresik which has the number 475 H (1082 AD) on her gravestone. Later in East Java, a number of Islamic tombs were also found in the Troloyo tomb complex in Trowulan, Mojokerto, one of the tombstones of which is the year 1298 Saka (1376 AD). Other evidence is the tombstone of Malik Ibrahim's grave in Gresik which dates to 1419 AD. The tomb of Putri Cempa (Putri Campa) in Trowulan, Mojokerto whose gravestone contains an inscription of the year 1370 Saka (1448 AD) is also early evidence of the spread of Islam in East Java. .

The process of the entry of Islam into East Java is believed to be through several ways such as shipping-trade, marriage, politics, culture, Sufism, and education. Muslim traders who came to the East Java region (north coast) had to stay in the village for several months until their merchandise sold and waited for a good season (wind) to sail, so that there was contact between Muslims and local residents. Economically, Muslim traders have a high status so that regional kings tend to want to marry their daughters to them. 

For example, the marriage of Sunan Ampel with Gede Manila, daughter of Temenggung Wilwatikta, Maulana Iskak with the daughter of the king of Blambangan, and the king of Majapahit with the daughter of Campa. The marriage of Muslim traders with the daughters of local rulers greatly influenced the process of Islamization through politics because it was customary in Java at that time when the king converted to Islam, the people also converted to Islam. In addition, the spread of Islam was also carried out culturally by Sufis through Sufism so that it reached many traditional circles. In the end, Islam was developed through education in Islamic boarding schools, such as the Giri Islamic Boarding School in Gresik.

The spread of Islam in East Java cannot be separated from the role of the guardians. The term wali comes from the Arabic aulia, which means a person who is close to Allah SWT because of his piety. Walisongo is the name for a number of guardians in Java who are considered the first Islamic preachers or broadcasters in Java. Five of the nine guardians who spread Islam on the island of Java were in East Java, namely Sunan Ampel in Surabaya, Mauana Malik Ibrahim in Gresik, Sunan Giri in Gresik, Sunan Drajat in Lamongan, and Sunan Bonang in Tuban.

 The Cemetery located on the outskirts of an industrial city was very quiet. The area is about 1 hectare. The big trees in it make the atmosphere very beautiful. Every day, the well-maintained cemetery is never empty of pilgrims. Yes, that's where Fatimah bint Maimun is buried. She is a woman who is believed to be an advocate of Islam in the 11th century or at the same time as the establishment of the Kahuripan Kingdom with its king, Airlangga. There is something unique about the cemetery, which is located in Leran Village, Manyar District, Gresik Regency, East Java, namely in the cupola model or the building that protects the tomb. The cupola is not like most graves in general. The shape is almost similar to the temple building. The entire cupola of the tomb consists of a white stone arrangement derived from limestone mountain rocks along the northern coast (pantura) of Java. However, the unique cupola is only found in the main tomb, where Fatimah bint Maimun is buried. Dozens of tombs in the vicinity are not covered. 

The tombs were left open. The tomb of Fatimah bint Maimun, which is the main tomb, is about 20 meters x 15 meters wide and is bordered by a fence about 1 meter high. Citing the book History of the Long Grave compiled by a team of funeral directors, the tomb guard known as Hajah Nur told the story of Fatimah bint Maimun who came from the Kedah Sultanate in Peninsular Malaysia. "It is written, Fatimah bint Maimun died in 1081 or coincided with the year 474 Hijri

. Judging from these figures, she came to Java about three centuries before Walisongo's Islamization. Because Walisongo's Islamization only took place around the 15th century, namely after the collapse Majapahit Kingdom," said Hajah Nur, Friday (10/7). Three boats It is said that the Kedah Sultanate family group traveled to the country using three large boats. One boat was used to transport supplies, one boat for equipment, and the other as a vehicle for Sultan Mahmud Syah Alam alias Maimun with his family and bodyguards. They want to spread Islam in the archipelago. It is not stated at which port the large group rested for the first time. However, they later lived in Leran. Sultan Mahmud then had the idea of ​​marrying one of his children, Fatimah bint Maimun, to one of the ruling kings in East Java. However, before the plan went ahead, the princess was stricken with illness and eventually died.

 Fatimah's body was then buried in Leran. As for the existence of the magnificent building at Fatimah's tomb, it was built by order of the ruling king. "According to Purwadi and Maharsi in the book Babad Demak, it is stated that Gresik and Surabaya are the oldest centers of Islam in East Java," said Hajah Nur. In addition to the tomb of Fatimah bint Maimun which dates back to 475 H or 1082, there is the tomb of Maulana Malik Ibrahim who died on 12 Robiul Awal 822 H or 1419. The writing on the tomb is in Arabic. With the existence of these tombs, it is estimated that along the coast of Java, there has been an Islamic community since the days of the Kahuripan Kingdom.