Mawlana Malik Ibrahim, Gerisik, East Java

Mawlana Malik Ibrahim is one of the eldest among the 9 saints (Wali Songo). Many narrations claimed that he was from Morrocco. Another version would probably from Yemen. He was the younger brother of Sultan Malikussalleh from Pasai, Aceh. His famous story was before he reached the land of Java, he was from Gujerat, doing dakwah. The refutation arise when we know in Yemen, they dont address their scholars or sufi masters as "Mawlana". Hence, some historians believe he's not from Yemen. Another possibility could be, he had the "Mawlana" title when he was at Gujerat. The indians usually refer to the scholars or sufi masters as "Mawlana".

Regardless of the various narrations on his background, Mawlana Malik Ibrahim had done a concerte contribution in performing dakwah with love to the Javanese Society whom were staunch hindus during that period of time. may Allah bless him for his noble effort in spreading the teaching of Islam by following the example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Habib Lutfi and Shaykh Jamhuri

This is the picture of the al Alamah al Habib Lutfi bin Yahyah (right) from Pekalongan, Java, Indonesia murshid of the Shahdliyah path and the President of the Indonesia Tariqa Association together with Shaykh Jamhuri bin Ramli al Hafiz from Aceh. He is a mureed of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Haqqani. He is also one of the few Imam at Baitur Rahman Mosque, Aceh.

The picture was taken during our "Wali Songo" tour. We managed to visit Habib Lutfi and listened to his advice.

Masjid Agung (The Grand Mosque) Demak

Before we visited the Maqam of Raden Fatah, we arrived at this beautiful Grand Mosque or known in this region with bahasa as Masjid Agung in Demak. It was sorely built by the 9 Saints (Wali Songo) in one day. According to Kiyai Taufiq, the principal of Pondok Taufiqy in Pekalongan, the woods were carried by the monkeys in the jungle. Each pillar of the mosque had the name of 4 out of the 9 saints. It was said that these 4 saints was the one responsible for the pillar to be intact as a foundation for the mosque to stand till today.

If you use your rationality and logic, by looking at this mosque, you will find the impossibility on how humans could built this amazing mosque in one day. However, saints have their spiritual power granted to them by Allah s.w.t. Today this mosque is a monument of Faith, love and Humanity.

Pic: Masjid Agung, Demak

Raden Fatah: The Sufi king (Demak)

During the Wali Songo tour last june 07, we visited the Maqam of Raden Fatah (may Allah bless him). He was a sufi king from Demak. He governs the kingdom with the advisors of the Saints (wali songo). Demak was the first Islamic empire in Java land. It was very peaceful and prosperous. The king often had meetings with the Saints (wali Songo) discussing various matters from religious to any worldly matters. The reign of Raden Fatah (may Allah bless him) was a symbol of Humanity and progression. The empire fell during the colonization of the Dutch. The only bloodshed that spread on the ground of Demak was the last defence of the Royal Army and his saints including the muslims who were against the invaders (dutch). Thus the defeat signify the decline of royalty in Demak.

Pic: Maqam of Raden Fatah and his descendant, located nearby to the Masjid Agung.

Maqam of Sultan Malikussalleh q.s.

Pic: Maqam of Sultan Malikussalleh q.s.

p/s: Shaykh Shuria making doa, tawwasul (intercession)

The Pearl of Nusantara: Sultan MalikusSalleh, Pasai, Aceh

Recently, I went to Aceh, alhamdulilah managed to visit the Maqam of Sultan Malikussalleh in Pasai. It was very tedious journey, 5 hours from Bandar Aceh. It took us 1 whole day for the whole trip but nevertheless, its worthwhile. According to history, Islam first reached pasai, Aceh in this south east Asia region through Sultan Malikussalleh. It was also noted that he was the elder brother of Mawlana Malik Ibrahim, (One of the Wali Songo) Gerisik. From Pasai,the religion was spread in every part of this region although the famous Wali Songo ancient stories and history had been dominating the historical facts. However, one cant deny the contributions of this wonderful and yet humble Sultan Malikussalleh.

There was various narrations on his lineage and the place he came from before he was set to travel. According to the custodian of the Maqam, the Sultan was from Yemen then came to Kerala (India) later on he sailed to Pasai, Aceh. Another version stated he came from Maghribi (Morocco) then to Gujerati followed by his last destination Pasai, Aceh. It seems the spiritual heritage of the Alawiyyah are not prominent compare to the spiritual culture of Turkish and Persian. Mawlid Berzanji is well read, Dailul Khiarat is the daily recitation of the souls there and the mosque dome architecture is probably from Turkey. Aceh is the ground breaking for the Naqshbandi and Qadriyyah. Most of their famous saints are following these two spiritual paths.

Regardless of the various historical facts, the most important value we learnt from history is to be humble and sincere. Therefore, the learning of Tassawuf is very important in this period of time. During the reign of this noble Sultan Malikussalleh, Aceh was one of the most progressive nation and economically prosperous. Islam was spread through love, compassion and trading. This is a fact which nobody could deny, the contributions of the Sufis that make an impact in the development of the society. The king himself was a sufi, embracing humanity towards the people. Through the power of love, things can change for the better. Today, we relearnt history, to remember the romance of the past and how we could revive it through our heart and souls.

May Allah bless Sultan Malikussalleh, his descendant and those Awliyah and solihin of Aceh and forgive me.

Paku Pekalongan "Habib Ahmad al Attas"

When we had the "Wali Songo" tour last june 07, we managed to visit the maqam of Habib Ahmad al Attas or known as "Paku Pekalongan" The Nail of Pekalongan. On the other side of the province at the sea, there is a maqam of Shaykh Maghribi whom brought the Prophetic Divine Light (Dalaiul Khairat) to Java. Thus the Shahdliyah tariqa is promininent in Pekalongan. The famous murshid is Habib Lutfi bin Yahya. He is also the President of the Indonesia Tariqa Association.

pic: Shaykh Zakaria Bahgarib leading the tahlil, while Shaykh Jamhuri from Aceh was assisting him.