Zawiyah Cot Kala Kesultanan Peureulak | Epistemologi Pendidikan Agama Islam Alam Melayu

Summary

The Sultanate of Perlak, one of Southeast Asia's first Islamic kingdoms, played a significant role in shaping Islamic education in the region. Initially focusing on integrating Islamic values with local wisdom, Perlak’s educational system evolved with institutions like Zawiyah Cotkala in Aramiah Bayun, which taught both religious and practical sciences. The conflict between the Aziziah and Merah dynasties, with their differing approaches to Islam, further influenced the development of education. Perlak’s educational legacy greatly impacted other regions, inspiring the development of Islamic learning in Southeast Asia, particularly in Samudra Pasai.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sultanate of Perlak was the first Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia, though some researchers claim it was the Sultanate of Jember, but evidence is scarce.
• 😀 Sultanate of Perlak is believed to be the first Islamic sultanate in Southeast Asia, though Samudra Pasai has stronger evidence, such as currency, gravestones, and manuscripts.
• 😀 The early period of Perlak’s Sultanate did not emphasize religious symbolism but focused on the essence of Islamic teachings, integrating local cultural values with Islam.
• 😀 The Aziziah dynasty, which founded the Sultanate of Perlak, was more tolerant towards local cultures, unlike the Merah dynasty that aimed for religious purity.
• 😀 The educational system in Perlak initially followed a pre-Islamic tradition of teaching wisdom and local values in institutions like the Baf system, before integrating Islamic teachings.
• 😀 Zawiyah Cotkala in Aramiah Bayun was a major center for higher Islamic education in Perlak, with smaller zawiyahs spreading across the region.
• 😀 There was a significant political conflict between the Aziziah and Merah dynasties, with the latter focusing on purifying Islam and rejecting local practices seen as inconsistent with Islamic principles.
• 😀 After the Merah dynasty took over, it led to the creation of Salasari Kingdom in northern Aceh, which eventually contributed to the formation of Samudra Pasai Sultanate.
• 😀 The Zawiyah Cotkala in Aramiah Bayun played a crucial role in shaping the Islamic education system in the Malay world, influencing other institutions like those in Samudra Pasai.
• 😀 Perlak’s education system was comprehensive, teaching not only religious subjects but also practical knowledge such as politics, economics, military, astronomy, and agriculture, reflecting the needs of the community.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Sultanate of Perlak in Southeast Asia's history?

The Sultanate of Perlak is considered one of the earliest Islamic kingdoms in Southeast Asia. It is notable for being the first Islamic kingdom in the region to leave empirical evidence, such as Arabic-script coins and Islamic artifacts, marking it as an important historical and cultural site.

Why is the Sultanate of Perlak often considered the first Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia, despite competing claims?

Although there are competing claims, such as the Sultanate of Jepara, the Sultanate of Perlak is generally accepted as the first Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia due to the discovery of significant artifacts, like coins with Arabic inscriptions and other Islamic remnants, which are not found in other early Islamic kingdoms like Jepara.

What was the nature of the conflict between the Aziziah and Merah dynasties in Perlak?

The conflict arose from differing approaches to integrating Islam with local culture. The Aziziah dynasty was more accommodating of local traditions, while the Merah dynasty, especially under Merah Muhammad Amin, sought to purify Islam by rejecting cultural practices that were perceived as incompatible with Islamic teachings.

How did the educational system in the Sultanate of Perlak evolve?

The educational system in Perlak evolved from pre-Islamic local systems, like the Baf (padepokan or pondok), into a more structured Islamic system. Islamic values were integrated into the local educational framework, and centers of higher learning, such as Zawiyah Cotkala in Aramiah Bayun, were established to teach both spiritual and worldly knowledge.

What role did Zawiyah Cotkala play in the development of Islamic education in Southeast Asia?

Zawiyah Cotkala, located in Aramiah Bayun, was a key institution in the development of Islamic education in the region. It served as a center for higher learning, blending traditional Islamic scholarship with practical knowledge such as military strategy, economics, and agriculture, thus contributing to the broader development of the Islamic educational landscape in Southeast Asia.

How did trade influence the Sultanate of Perlak's educational and cultural development?

Trade played a significant role in the Sultanate of Perlak, as the kingdom’s strategic location along the Malacca Strait made it a key transit point for goods. The need to maintain a secure and prosperous trade route influenced the integration of practical knowledge like maritime skills, agriculture, and economics into the Islamic educational curriculum.

What is the historical connection between the Merah dynasty and the Aziziah dynasty in Perlak?

The Merah dynasty and the Aziziah dynasty are historically linked through a shared lineage. Both dynasties trace their ancestry to Sayidina Husein, with Merah Muhammad Amin from the Merah dynasty and Sayid Maulana Abdul Aziz Syah from the Aziziah dynasty being descendants of this lineage, highlighting the dynastic connection despite their political differences.

Why was the Merah dynasty's approach to Islam viewed as more purist compared to the Aziziah dynasty?

The Merah dynasty, especially under the leadership of Merah Muhammad Amin, emphasized purifying Islam by rejecting local cultural practices that were perceived as contrary to Islamic teachings. This included distancing Islamic practices from local customs that were viewed as potentially idolatrous or 'syirik'.

How did the educational institutions in Perlak impact the development of Islamic thought in the region?

Educational institutions like Zawiyah Cotkala played a central role in shaping Islamic thought in the region by offering a comprehensive curriculum that not only included religious studies but also practical disciplines. The integration of Islamic values with local culture helped to create a unique blend of Islamic thought that influenced later educational models in neighboring regions like Samudra Pasai.

What is the relationship between the Sultanate of Perlak and the development of the Malay Islamic world?

The Sultanate of Perlak is crucial to the development of the Malay Islamic world because it was one of the first kingdoms to integrate Islamic teachings with Malay culture. This integration laid the foundation for the spread of Islam in the region, influencing the Sultanates of Samudra Pasai, Malacca, and other parts of Southeast Asia, as well as the rise of Malay-language Islamic literature.