Fatimah al-Banjari: Female Ulama from Banjar, Author of the Book of Fiqh Parukunan

 

Fatimah al-Banjari: Female Ulama from Banjar, Author of the Book of Fiqh Parukunan

Fatimah al-Banjari is a female cleric who is able to master various branches of religious disciplines, she is even said to have an important role and become a milestone in the emergence of ulama in Kalimantan, pioneers of women's emancipation in the field of education.

The role of women in the treasures of Islamic civilization is often marginalized, so it will be difficult for us to trace the track records of women who became scholars in the historical records of Islamic civilization. Even if there are, these records are usually not as abundant as those concerning male clerics. This also happened to the history of Islamic civilization (in) the archipelago. There are very few track records in the historical records of the Archipelago that describe a female cleric, say the name of a female cleric from Banjar, namely Shaykhoh Fatimah al-Banjari.

The name Fatima bint Abdul Wahab Bugis, or more popularly known as Fatima al-Banjari, is not well known among the Malay-Nusantara scholars. However, this one figure has been heavily involved in the process of educating women in Kalimantan. By some researchers his name is often referred to as the author of the book Parukunan Melayu, a yellow book with Arabic-Malay script which is still widely used as a reference in religious teaching in the Malay-Nusantara region.

Fatimah was born in Martapura, South Kalimantan to an educated family. She is the daughter of a great and respected cleric in Kalimantan, namely Sheikh Abdul Wahab Bugis who comes from a noble family. While his mother named Syarifah, is the daughter of Shaykh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari who is a great world scholar from the archipelago.

There is no clear information about what year Fatimah al-Banjari was born. However, some say that he died at the age of 53 years in 1828 AD, and was buried in the cemetery complex of Karang Tengah Village, Martapura. From this opinion, the year of birth is approximately 1775 AD.

Born into a family of clerics and nobles, Fatimah inherited a lot of Islamic knowledge from her father and mother. Alfani Daud in Islam and Banjar Society: Description and Analysis of Banjar Culture explains that Fatimah's wisdom cannot be separated from the role of her grandfather, namely Shakh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari who directly educated her. In fact, Sheikhoh Fatima is the granddaughter and student of Muhammad Arsyad who is the most intelligent.

Together with her mother and sister named Muhammad As'ad bin Uthman, Fatima was educated directly by Shaykh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari. From her grandfather, Fatimah learned Arabic, the science of interpretation, ushuluddin, and fiqh. After mastering various branches of discipline, Fatima and her mother were given permission to teach religion to women in their area.

Fatimah's wisdom cannot be separated from her grandfather who directly educates his grandchildren, and never discriminates between men and women in terms of education. They all have the same right to participate actively in the world of science. This also shows that a great scholar of the caliber of Shaykh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari, also had a concern for women's education during his lifetime.

Fatimah al-Banjari is a woman figure who is able to master various branches of religious disciplines, she is even said to have an important role and become a milestone in the emergence of ulama in Kalimantan, pioneers of women's emancipation in the field of education, especially Islamic education. One of his involvements in the tradition of Islamic scholarship and education is through his work, the book Parukunan Melayu.

The Parukunan Book itself is a simple book, containing a basic description of the pillars of Islam and the pillars of faith. According to Martin Van Bruinessen, the book is one of the most popular books of its kind that appeared at that time and was written by a woman.

Books written in Malay and studied in almost all of Indonesia are notes of lessons that Fatimah received from Shaykh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari. These records were then copied from generation to generation, and later printed under the name Parukunan. Another opinion says that the book Parukunan is a book by Fatima, without mentioning it as the result of Muhammad Arsyad's dictation.

But in reality, the book of Parukunan Melayu, when viewed in physical form, is actually written as the work of Mufti Jamaluddin Al-Banjari who is the uncle of Shaykh Fathimah al-Banjari. Regarding this, there are several opinions as to why the Parukunan book was then named after Mufti Jamaluddin al-Banjari.

First , Marin Van Bruinessen who argues that in the world of the yellow book there is no term copyright. So copying writing without credit is common; Second , the opinion that the royal party only recognizes the authority of religious knowledge owned by the royal mufti who was then held by Mufti Jamaluddin. Religious fatwas that were not issued by the royal mufti were not recognized in the structure of the Banjar Kingdom at that time. Therefore, if the book is claimed to be the work of Fatima, who is not the mufti of the kingdom, the various fiqh laws in it are not recognized as true. Third, the opinion which says that Fatima saw a bigger interest by not writing her name as the author of the book.

The Parukunan book itself contains a basic description of the pillars of Islam and the pillars of faith and is intended for people who are just learning religion and become a kind of practical lesson. This is because the Parukunan book only contains basic knowledge of creed and sharia, and provides little room for discussion regarding the theories that support these practices.

The book became a handbook in learning fiqh and monotheism in traditional educational institutions, mosques, and prayer rooms, which of course were not only studied by women, but also men. Furthermore, the book has long existed in almost every household in South Kalimantan. And it is still used in the villages, especially the traditionalists who have not been influenced by the notion of Muhammadiyah renewal.

Sheikhoh Fatimah al-Banjari is one of the many female clerics in Indonesia or the archipelago, who has a great role in the world of science and women's education. Long before the emergence of the name RA Kartini, which was often identified as a figure of women's emancipation.

Through her work in the world of women's education, she is known as a female figure who can be said to open access to education for Banjar women. Her expertise in religious knowledge, and her sensitivity to social conditions during her lifetime made her name as a female cleric from Banjar and Nusantara that should not be forgotten. Although his track record is not widely found in the historical records of civilization. Because his name is like a lost pearl in the historical background of civilization.