Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. But how did it get that way? Before the arrival of Islam, the islands were predominantly Hindu and Buddhist. There are many different stories about how Islam spread, and these stories tend to be a combination of history and mysticism. While each island has its own history of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia, here are a few of the most common stories:
How did Islam enter Indonesia?
The most common story of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia involves traders in the 13th century, primarily on the island of Sumatra in an area called Aceh. Many Muslim traders from the Middle East arrived at large trade ports, setting up communities in the ports and sharing their faith traditions. Frequently, they would intermarry with locals, further spreading their faith to local communities. As these ports traded with other areas and countries, the faith continued to spread along trade routes.
According to Tim Hannigan’s book, A Brief History of Indonesia, one more mystical story about the spread of Islam in Sumatra involves a king named Merah Silau. According to the legend, the king was sleeping when the Prophet appeared to him in a dream. In the dream, the Prophet spit into his mouth, and when he awoke, he began speaking unrecognizable words. Later, as he encountered Arab traders, they recognized the words as the Shahada, or Islamic confession of faith. He began to share his newfound faith with his kingdom and it spread from there.
Another story involves Muslim missionaries who came from the Middle East. As they settled in Indonesia, one of the missionaries married off his daughter to a local king. When his daughter welcomed a son, the future king, she raised him in the Islamic faith. Eventually, the son became king and made his entire kingdom an Islamic kingdom. His kingdom grew to be extremely powerful, overtaking surrounding kingdoms, and spread Islam throughout Indonesia.
Java- The Most Populated Island
For the island of Java, most trace the arrival of Islam back to the arrival of the Wali Songo, also referred to as the nine saints or Sunans. These Muslim missionaries settled in different areas along the northern coast of Java, sharing their faith throughout the region. Many Indonesian Muslims still travel to visit the gravesites of these men, considered very sacred sites.
These are just a few of the many stories about the arrival and spread of Islam in Indonesia. Each area and culture has its own unique history, contributing to the diversity and beauty of this country. Join us in praying that the light of Christ will push back the darkness and God will be glorified in every tribe and language.
