Sunan Muria, the Youngest Wali Songo and the Originator of the Teaching of Caring for the Earth in Indonesia

Sunan Muria

 

Sunan Muria, the Youngest Wali Songo and the Originator of the Teaching of Caring for the Earth

 

Sunan Muria is the son of Sunan Kalijaga who is also one of the Wali Songo. Known as the youngest Wali Songo, Sunan Muria is active in preaching in Central Java, especially on Mount Muria, which is about 18 kilometers from Kudus City. Currently, the location where Sunan Muria preaches is included in the Colo Village area, Gawe District, Kudus, Central Java. In that place also the tomb of Sunan Muria is located. During the spread of Islam, Sunan Muria gave many teachings to the general public, one of which was the teaching of caring for the earth to preserve the environment.

Beginning of life Sunan Muria was born around 1450. He was the son of Sunan Kalijaga and Dewi Saroh, who was the daughter of Sheikh Maulanan Ishaq. Sunan Muria's real name is Raden Umar Said. Regarding names, there are several historical records which also mention that the names are Raden Prawoto and Raden Amir. Since childhood, Sunan Muria has been taught about Islam by his father, who is known as Wali Songo who preaches in Cirebon, West Java. Besides Sunan Kalijaga, Ki Ageng Ngerang is also listed as Sunan Muria's teacher. In a note, Sunan Muria is known to have married Dewi Roro Noyorono, the daughter of Ki Ageng Ngerang. Other information also states that Sunan Muria's wife is Dewi Sujinah, who is none other than Sunan Kudus's sister and Sunan Ngudung's daughter. That way, Sunan Muria is known as the youngest Wali Songo who is the son of Sunan Kalijaga as well as Sunan Kudus's brother-in-law.

Sunan Muria's da'wah strategy As the youngest member of Wali Songo, Sunan Muria prefers to live in remote areas far from urban centers in carrying out his da'wah. Sunan Muria carried out various da'wah strategies, one of which was socializing with commoners while teaching various skills, such as farming, trading, and the arts. In his preaching, Sunan Muria still embraces the traditions and culture of the local community while adapting them to Islamic teachings. One of the traditions that Sunan Muria changed was bancakan (salvation), which was turned into a feast to send prayers to the ancestors through Islamic prayers. Like his father, Sunan Kalijaga, Sunan Muria also spread Islam with gamelan and wayang. Sunan Muria is known to be an expert in conveying Islamic religious stories in a way that is more easily understood by the public. One of the wayang stories that Sunan Muria often conveys in his da'wah is  Topo Ngeli,  which means immersing oneself in society. The story was previously told by Sunan Kalijaga. In the course of his da'wah, Sunan Muria also created works. Sunan Muria's work is the song Macapat, specifically Sinom and Kinanthi.

The Teaching of Caring for the Earth Sunan Muria is a Wali Songo who is very concerned about environmental sustainability. Therefore, Sunan Muria teaches people to care for the earth. Some of Sunan Muria's teachings in Caring for the Earth include: Guyang Cekathak tradition (tradition of asking for rain) Parijoto Fruit (pilgrimage to Sunan Muria's grave) Macapat Sinom Parijotho song (song composed by Sunan Muria) dead Sunan Muria died in 1551. His tomb is located on the slopes of Mount Muria, Colo District, 18 kilometers from the Holy City. Around his grave, there are 17 graves of soldiers and courtiers who are believed to be his bodyguards.