Shaykh Arsyad, Sun of Islam from Banjar

 

Shaykh Arsyad, Sun of Islam from Banjar

Shaykh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari is the sun of the archipelago. He became the axis of the spread of Islam in the Banjar area, South Kalimantan. Shaykh Arsyad was born in 1710 AD/1222H and died on 6 Shawwal 1227 H/1812 AD, in the village of Lok Gabang. From a source, Sheikh Arsyad is said to be of Alawiyyin descent through the path of Sultan Abdurrasyid Mindanao, Philippines. Shaykh Arsyad is the adopted son of Sultan Tahlilullah, the king of the Sultanate of Kalimantan. He recited the Koran to several sheikhs, to gain religious knowledge.

He wrote important books, which to this day remain a reference. His work, Sabilul Muhtadin, is still being studied by researchers and pesantren students. This book is a study of fiqh written in Malay, a syarah on the Shiratal Mustaqim book by Shaykh Nuruddin ar-Raniri, a cleric from Aceh. The Book of Sabil al-Muhtadin has become a reference for Islamic scholars in Malaysia, Brunei, to Pattani (South Thailand). He also wrote Tuhfat ar-Raghibin, al-Qaul al-Mukhtasar, Hasyiyah Fath al-Jawad and several other important works.

In the preamble to the book Sabil al-Muhtadin, Shaykh Arsyad al-Banjari, reveals that this work was written in 1193H/1779 AD at the request of Sultan Tahmidullah, and was completed in 1195 H/1781 AD. In general, this book examines fiqh issues based on the Shafi school of thought. 'i. This book, discusses matters of worship for Muslims.

While studying in Mecca, Shaykh Arsyad befriended Shaykh Shamad, a scholar from Palembang. In this holy city, both of them recited to Shaykh Muhammad bin Sulaiman al-Kurdi and Shaykh Athaillah bin Ahmad al-Mishry. He is also close friends with Sheikh Abdul Wahab Bugis, and Sheikh Abdurrahman (Betawi). While studying in Mecca, Shaykh Arsyad studied various Islamic sciences, which later made him a reference for the Muslim community in the archipelago. The works of Shaykh Arsyad, show how diligent and deep his studies are, so that they produce clear knowledge.

Shaykh Arsyad also studied the science of nature from Shaykh Abdul Karim Saman al-Madani. Together with his close friend, Shaykh Shamad al-Palimbani, Shaykh Arsyad studied Sufism, mysticism, and seclusion to reach a high spiritual level (Munir Amin, 249).

Shaykh Arsyad also studied with several teachers: Sheikh Ahmad bin Abdul Mun'im ad Damanhuri, Sheikh Muhammad Murtadha bin Muhammad az Zabidi, Sheikh Hasan bin Ahmad al Yamani, Sheikh Salm bin Abdullah al Basri, Sheikh Shiddiq bin Umar Khan, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hijazi ash Syarqawy, Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Abdul Aziz al Maghrabi, Sheikh Abdurrahamn bin Sulaiman al Ahdal, Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Abdul Mubin al Fathani.

His other teachers were Sheikh Abdul Gani bin Muhammad Hilal, Sheikh Abis as Sandi, Sheikh Abdul Wahab at Thantawy, Sheikh Abdullah Mirghani, Sheikh Muhammad bin Ahmad al Jauhari, and Sheikh Muhammad Zain bin Faqih Jalaluddin Aceh. From these teacher paths, Shaykh Arsyad got a strong network of knowledge and scientific roots.

Shaykh Arsyad's works have become a reference for Islamic scholars from the archipelago. Discussions about zakat and Islamic law are also important references