PAPER

GROUNDING ISLAM IN INDONESIA

Submitted to Fulfill the Task of Islamic Studies Course

Lecturer:
SAMSURIYANTO, S.Kom.I..M.Sos.

Students:
HIZBI MUHAMMADSYAH ANTORIDI (04211941000023)
MUHAMMAD FAIRUZ ADINATA (04211941000026)
ARKAN DAVID MAULANA (04211941000029)

CLASS 31
INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
SEPULUH NOPEMBER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLGY
SURABAYA
2020
 FOREWORD

All praise is due to Allah SWT, the Lord of the worlds, who has given His
mercy and guidance, so that the writer can complete this paper. Good blessings
and greetings may be bestowed on the blessing of the Prophet Muhammad Peace
Be Upon Him, who was sent as a mercy to the universe, as a giver of good tidings
to those who believe and gives warnings to unbelievers. Hopefully also abundant
to his family, friends, and people who take his ways and follow the instructions
until the Day of Judgment.
Thanks to the grace, strength, physical and spiritual health provided by
Allah SWT, finally the writer was able to complete this paper with the title “The
Culture of Islamic Media Industry”. At the same time the writer also expressed his
gratitude to the Honorable Mr. SAMSURIYANTO, S.Kom.I., M.Sos, as lecturer
who has given motivation to the writer in making this paper, hopefully can be
useful for those who read it.
In the preparation of this paper, the writer is fully aware that there are still
many weaknesses and shortcomings, and therefore the writer expect constructive
criticism and suggestions. Thus this paper the writer made, hopefully it can be
useful and beneficial to us all.
Surabaya, 6 February 2020

The Writer

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword ........................................................................................................ i
Table of Contents .......................................................................................... ii

Chapter I Preliminary
A. Problem Background ............................................................1
B. Problem Formulation ............................................................1
C. Purpose of Paper ...................................................................1

Chapter II Discussion
A. The Theories of the Arrival of Islam in Indonesia ...............2
B. The Phases and Stages of Islamization in Indonesia ............6
C. The Results of the Islamization Process in Indonesia ..........8

Chapter III Closing

A. Conclusion ............................................................................9
B. Suggestion ............................................................................9

Bibliography

ii
 CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

A. Problem Background
The process of Islamization is a very important aspect in the history
of Islam in Indonesia, and also the most obscure.1 This obscurity lies in the
question of when is Islam come, where did Islam come from, who spread
Islam in Indonesia for the first time, and so on.2 These questions still be a
polemic for the historians, because this case cannot be resolved by the
perspective from the founded data and the interpretation of the researcher’s
data itself. Moreover, it is caused by a lack of data that can support a certain
theory and by the one-sided alignments of the existing theory. This case has
caused the historians continue to debate resulting a not ending discussion
that ends with the birth of the various theories about the process of arrival
of Islam in Indonesia. At least, there are four theories emerged by historians
by bringing forward a variety of sources and interpretation of diverse
arguments.

B. Problem Formulation
1. How are the theories of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia?
2. How are the phases and stages of Islamization in Indonesia?
3. How are the results of the Islamization process in Indonesia?

C. Purpose of Paper
1. To know the theories of the arrival of Islam in Indonesia.
2. To know the phases and stages of Islamization in Indonesia.
3. To know the results of the Islamization process in Indonesia.

1.
M.C. Ricklefs, A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1300, translate in Indonesia by Dharmono
Hardjowidjono, Sejarah Indonesia Modern 1200-2008 (Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University
Press, 1990), 3.
2.
Mitsuo Nakamura, The Crescent Arises the Banyan Tree; A Study of the Muhammadiyah
Movement in a Central Javanes Town, (Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press, 1990), 1-2.

1
 CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION

A. The Theories of the Arrival of Islam in Indonesia

The situation has forced the historians to bring up theories in relation
to the process of Islamization and the development of Islam in Indonesia.
There are at least four theories raised, namely Indian theory, Arabic theory,
Persian theory, and finally theory from China.
1. Indian Theory
The originator and the initiator of India’s main theory was Pijnapel, a
Malay Language professor at Leiden University, Netherland. He said that
Islam came to Indonesia (Nusantara) not expected from the Arabs, but from
India, especially from the west coast namely Gujarat and Malabar regions.
Before Islam reached Indonesia, many Arabs of the Syafi’i school migrated
and live in India. From there, Islam then spread to Indonesia.3
The theory was later revised by Cristian Snouck Hurgronje.
According to him, the spread of Islam in Indonesia came from the region of
Malabar and Coromandel, two cities in southern India after the influence of
Islam is very strong in the region. Residents who came from Daccan act as
trade intermediaries between the Islamic countries and the Indonesian
population. Furthermore, people from Daccan in large number settled/live
in port cities in the Indonesian archipelago for spreading Islam. Only after
that, the Arabs come to continue the Islamization process in Indonesia. This
people have a good opportunity to find expertise so that many of them act
as clerics, religious emperors and sultans who often acted as upholder of the
formation of new countries.4

3.
G.W.J. Drewes, “New Light on the Coming of Islam Indonesia” in Readings on Islam in Southeast
Asia, (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asia Studies, 1983), 8.
4.
C. SnouckHurgronje, The Meaning of Islam for its Adherents in the East Indies in Collection
Snouck Hurgronje vol VII, translate in Indonesia by Sultan Maimundan Rahayu S. Hidayat, Arti
Agama Islam bagi Penganutnya di HindiaBelanda, in Kumpulan Karangan Snouck Hurgronje,
JilidnVII, (Jakarta : INIS, 1994), 6.

2
 Snouck Hungronje’s reason that islam in Indonesia originated from
Daccan is similar to the current understanding of Syafi’iyah that still applies
in Coromandel coast. Likewise, the Syiah influence which used to have a
strong influence as it now applies in India. Snouck Hungronje also
mentioned 12th century as a most likely period of the beginning of Islamic
spread in the Indonesian archipelago.5

2. Arabic Theory
According to Arnold, it is important to know that Coromandel and
Malabar is not the only place Islam was brought to the archipelago. Islam in
Indonesia also brought by the traders from Arab. These Arabian traders were
actively involved in spreading Islam when they were dominating the West-
East trade since the beginning of the7th and 8th centuries AD. This
assumption is based on Chinese sources mentioning that towards the third
quarter of the 7th century, an Arab trader became the leader of Arabic
Muslim settlements on the west coast of Sumatra. In fact, some of these
Arabs have engaged in mixed marriages with the indigenous population
which then forms a core Muslim community whose members have
converted to Islam. A number of Indonesian and Malaysian historians
support this Arab theory. In several times of seminars such as 1963 and
1978, that held to discuss the arrival of Islam in Indonesia, it was concluded
that Islam comes to Indonesia directly from Arab, not from India. Islam
came to Indonesia for the first time is in the first century of Hijriyah or 7 th
century AD. Not the 12th or 13th century AD.6

5.
C. SnouckHurgronje, The Meaning of Islam for its Adherents in the East Indies in Collection
Snouck Hurgronje vol VII, translate in Indonesia by Sultan Maimundan Rahayu S. Hidayat, Arti
Agama Islam bagi Penganutnya di Hindia Belanda, in Kumpulan Karangan Snouck Hurgronje,
Jilid VII, (Jakarta: INIS, 1994), 7.
6.
A.Hasjmy, Sejarah Masuk dan Berkembangnya Islam di Indonesia, (Bandung: AlMa’arif, 1993),
7.

3
 Uka Tjandrasasmita, historian and Islamic archeologist, believes that
Islam came to Indonesia in the 7th or 8th century AD. In these centuries, it
was possible for muslims from Arabia, Persia, and India has a lot of contacts
with people in Southeast and East of Asia.5 Transportation and shipping
progress on these centuries is very likely as competition between the great
kingdoms, such as Bani Umayyah kingdom in west Asia, Sriwijaya
kingdom in Southeast Asia, and Chinese rule under the Tang dynasty in East
Asia.7

3. Persian Theory
Besides the Indian and Arabic theory, there is also Persian theory. This
theory states that Islam came to this archipelago from Persia, not from India
and Arabia. This theory is based on several elements of Persian culture,
especially Syiah. Among the supporters of this theory is P.A. Hoesein
Djajadiningrat. He based his theory on the analysis on the influence of
Sufism Persian against some of the mystical teachings of Islamic (Sufism)
in Indonesia. The doctrine of manunggaling kawula gusti Sheikh Siti Jenar
is an influence of Wahdat al-Wujud al Hallaj’s teachings from Persia.8 This
is the first reason of this theory.
The second reason, the use of the term Persian in the system to spell
the Arabic letters, especially for signs of deep harakat sound Qur’anic
teaching. Alifjabar (Arabic-fathah) to produce sound “A”. Then Alifjer
(Arabic-kasrah) to produce sound “I”. And Alifpes (Arabic-Dahammah) to
produce sound “U” or “O”. So, in the beginning of learning Qur’an, the
students must memorize them.9

7.
George Fadlo Hourani, Arab Seafarings in the Indians Ocean in Ancient and Eraly Medieval Times
(Princon: New Jersey University Prees, 1951), 62.
8.
P.A. Hoesein Djajadiningrat, Islam di Indonesia and Kenneth W.Morgan, Islam : The Straight
Path, translate in Indonesia by Abu Salamah and Chaidir Anwar, Islam Jalan Lurus, (Jakarta:
Pustaka Jaya, 1986), 426-7.
9.
Ahmad Mansur Suryanegara, Menemukan Sejarah in Wacana Pergerakan Islam di Indonesia
(Bandung : Mizan, 1998), 91.

4
 The third reason, the commemoration of Asyura or 10 Muharram as
one of the day which is celebrated by the Syiah, namely the day of the death
of Husain ibn Abi Thalib in Karbala. In Java and Aceh, this commemoration
marked by the making of “Bubur Asyura”. In Minangkabau and Aceh, the
month of Muharram is called the Hasan-husein month. In the middle to the
west of Sumatra, there is an Ark ceremony which is parading “Coffin
Husain” to be thrown into rivers or other waters. The coffin is called the Ark
that comes from Arabic language.10

4. China Theory
The role of the Chinese towards Islamization in Indonesia is very
important. H.J. de Graaf, for example, has edited some Classical Javanese
literature which involved the role of Chinese people in the development of
Islam in Indonesia.11 In these writings, mentioned that great figures such as
Sunan Ampel (Raden Rahmat/Bong Swi Hoo) and Sultan Demak (Raden
Fatah/Jin Bun) are people of Chinese descent. This philosophy also
supported by one of Indonesian historians, Slamet Mulyana, in his
Controversial book Runtuhnya Kerajaan Hindu Jawa dan Timbulnya
Negara-Negara di Nusantara. Denys Lombard also shows the importance
of China’s influence in various aspects, such as food, clothing, language,
art, buildings, etc. Lombard reviewed all of this in his book Nusa Java :
Cultural Cross consisting of three volumes.

10.
Ahmad Mansur Suryanegara, Menemukan Sejarah in Wacana Pergerakan Islam di Indonesia
(Bandung : Mizan, 1998), 90.
11.
H.J. de Graaf, Chinese Muslims in Java in the 15th and 16th Centuries, , translate in Indonesia by
Alfajri, China Muslim di Jawa Abad XV dan XVI (Yogyakarta : Tiara wacanaYogya, 1998), 101.

5
 B. The Phases and Stages of Islamization in Indonesia
The phases and stages of Islamization in Indonesia start from the
arrival stage that occur in 7th century.12 As for the third century seen as the
process of spreading and formation of islamic people in indonesia. The
carrier of islam in 7th century until 13th century are the muslims from arab,
persia and india. Uka Tjandrasasmita also said that before the 13th century
is the stage of islamization. 13th century is the time when islam grows as
the first islamic kingdom in that century.13
Meanwhile, Hasan Mukarif Ambary divide the islamization phase in
indonesia into three phase, that is (1) the arrival of muslim trader phase, (2)
the formation of islamic kingdom phase, (3) the islamic institutionalization
phase. The phases of the formation of the Islamic empire take place between
the 13th century AD to the 16th century AD.14
In the Islamization in Java, Denys Lombard broadly distinguishes
three stages in the process of Islamization in this region, that is (1) the
ongoing of Islamization in the north coast region, through the port of trade
since the 15th century played an increasingly important role; (2) Islam's
sequestration in the interior which gradually gave rise to a kind of Islamic
quiz in the interior; (3) the formation of rural Islamic networks, with
important roles played by pesantren and tarekat. In turn, this kind of
development made it possible for the continuation of structures that had
existed in the Dutch East Indies era since the 19th century, namely the more
open the possibility for Indonesian people to make the pilgrimage.15

12.
Marwati Djoened Pusponegoro and Nugroho Notosusanto, Sejarah Nasional Indonesia,Jilid III,
(Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 1990), 181.
13.
UkaTjandrasasmita, Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Kota-Kota Muslim di Indonesia, (Kudus:
Menara Kudus, 2000), 19.
14.
Hasan Mu’arif Ambary, Menemukan Peradaban in Jejak Arkeologis dan Historis Islam
Indonesia (Jakarta: Logos WacanaIlmu, 1988), 55-60.
15.
Denys Lombard, Java Nusa: Cross Cultural in Mediterranean, translate in Indonesia by
Winarsih Partaningrat Arifin, Nusa Jawa Silang Budaya in Batas-Batas Pembaratan, (Jakarta
:GramediaPustaka, 2005), 19.

6
 In general, experts believe that Islam in Indonesia was spreading
through peaceful means. There is no specific mission, as in Protestant and
Catholic religions in spreading Islam in Indonesia, at least in the early days.
However, the development of the Islamization in Indonesia actually uses
three methods, that is (1) propagated by Muslim traders in a peaceful
atmosphere, (2) spread by preachers and special trustees from India and
Arabia to Islamize the population and improve knowledge and their faith,
and (3) spread with power to fight against pagan (kafir) governments.16 This
last method occurred immediately after an Islamic empire was established
in Indonesia where sometimes Islam was spread from there to other regions
through warfare.17
It needs to be explained here that the theories put forward above
basically do not discuss the entry of Islam into every island in the
archipelago. These theories only analyze the entry of Islam on the island of
Sumatra especially Aceh, and in the Java. These two islands are seen as
having an important role in the development of Islam in other islands in
Indonesia. Any theory of Islamization of the Malay Archipelago will always
be demanded to explain why the process began at a certain time, and not
several centuries before or after. Muslims from foreign countries may have
settled in trading ports in Sumatra and Java for centuries. However, it was
only towards the end of the 13th century that traces of indigenous Muslims
were discovered. In the following centuries, Islam gradually spread beyond
the coast of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, to the north coast of Java and
several spice-producing islands in eastern Indonesia.18

16.
M.C. Ricklefs, A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1300, translate in Indonesia by Dharmono
Hardjowidjono, Sejarah Indonesia Modern 1200-2008 (Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University
Press, 1990), 20.
17.
H.J. de Graaf, South-East Asian Islam to Eighteenth Century in The Cambridge Hostory of Islam,
Volume 2A, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987), 123.
18.
Maksum, Madrasah : Sejarah dan perkembangannya, (Jakarta : Logos Wacan Ilmu, 2000), 82.

7
 C. The Results of the Islamization Process in Indonesia.
The presence of Islam in the midst of Indonesian people not only as
a religious system, but also the alternative strength that is quite calculated.
Islam is the breakout force for his followers to destroy the lame social order.
Islam is also a power to make the nations free from colonialism. The fact is
something that is not strange to Islam. Since its inception, Islam has proven
itself as an alternative power or strength that is able to transform any form
of living order that is not in accordance with the harcades and dignity of
humanity.19
It is also necessary to be presented here about some reasons why
Islam is so rapidly spread in the Indonesian. There are at least three main
factors that accelerate the process of spreading Islam in this region. First,
Islamic teachings that emphasize the principles of the hypotheist and the
system of its divinity. The doctrine is synonymous with liberation. This
provided a strong grip for his followers to break free from the bonds of any
force other than God SAW. The doctrine of this Tauhid demonstrates the
dimension of human liberation from foreign power or strength. Second, the
flexibility of Islam. In the sense that Islam is a codification of universal
values, beacuse of that Islam can be faced with various forms and types of
community situations. With this kind of character, the presence of Islam in
a region does not necessarily overhaul the order of the established value.
The values that have developed in the community, such as patiently,
humble, are subordinated into the teachings of Islam. Third, in turn are
viewed by the people of Indonesia as a very dominant institution in the fight
against European colonialism. Islam is the main power to protect from the
Dutch-and Netherlands-colonisation, which spread colonisation and
Christianization. Colonisation and Christianisation in Indonesia go in same
way that persuade people to join.20

19.
Fachry Ali and Bahtiar Effendi, Merambah Jalan baru Islam in Rekonstruksi Pemikiran Islam
Indonesia Masa Orde Baru (Bandung : Mizan, 1986), 32.
20.
Ibid, 32-34.

8
 CHAPTER III
CLOSING

A. Conclusion
1. There are at least 4 theories about the arrival of Islam in Indonesia from
expert historians by bringing forward a variety of sources and
interpretation of diverse arguments, those are Indian theory, Arabic
theory, Persian theory, and Chinese theory.
2. There are generally 3 phases/stages of Islamization in Indonesia,
according to Hasan Mukarif Ambary and Denys Lombard.
3. There are practically 3 reasons why Islam can spread so fast in
Indonesian archipelago, and accepted with full honor.

B. Suggestion
The writer hopes that this paper can give knowledge to the readers
and inspire the readers to be proud of the existence of Islam in Indonesia.
The writer also expecting some building response to be better in the next
assignment. Special thanks to the Lecturer for always supporting the writer
in every hardness in making this paper. Deepest apology for every mistakes
in this paper. Thank you for reading.

9
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
M.C. Ricklefs, A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1300, translate in Indonesia
by Dharmono Hardjowidjono, Sejarah Indonesia Modern 1200-2008
(Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press, 1990), 3.

Mitsuo Nakamura, The Crescent Arises the Banyan Tree; A Study of the
Muhammadiyah Movement in a Central Javanes Town, (Yogyakarta: Gadjah
Mada University Press, 1990), 1-2.

G.W.J. Drewes, “New Light on the Coming of Islam Indonesia” in Readings on

Islam in Southeast Asia, (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asia Studies,
1983), 8.

C. SnouckHurgronje, The Meaning of Islam for its Adherents in the East Indies in
Collection Snouck Hurgronje vol VII, translate in Indonesia by Sultan
Maimundan Rahayu S. Hidayat, Arti Agama Islam bagi Penganutnya di
HindiaBelanda, in Kumpulan Karangan Snouck Hurgronje, JilidnVII,
(Jakarta : INIS, 1994), 6.
Ibid, 7.

A.Hasjmy, Sejarah Masuk dan Berkembangnya Islam di Indonesia, (Bandung:

AlMa’arif, 1993), 7.

George Fadlo Hourani, Arab Seafarings in the Indians Ocean in Ancient and Eraly
Medieval Times (Princon: New Jersey University Prees, 1951), 62.

P.A. Hoesein Djajadiningrat, Islam di Indonesia and Kenneth W.Morgan, Islam :

The Straight Path, translate in Indonesia by Abu Salamah and Chaidir Anwar,
Islam Jalan Lurus, (Jakarta: Pustaka Jaya, 1986), 426-7.

Ahmad Mansur Suryanegara, Menemukan Sejarah in Wacana Pergerakan Islam di

Indonesia (Bandung : Mizan, 1998), 91.
Ibid, 90.
H.J. de Graaf, Chinese Muslims in Java in the 15th and 16th Centuries, , translate in
Indonesia by Alfajri, China Muslim di Jawa Abad XV dan XVI (Yogyakarta :
Tiara wacanaYogya, 1998), 101.

Marwati Djoened Pusponegoro and Nugroho Notosusanto, Sejarah Nasional

Indonesia,Jilid III, (Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 1990), 181.

UkaTjandrasasmita, Pertumbuhan dan Perkembangan Kota-Kota Muslim di

Indonesia, (Kudus: Menara Kudus, 2000), 19.

Hasan Mu’arif Ambary, Menemukan Peradaban in Jejak Arkeologis dan Historis

Islam Indonesia (Jakarta: Logos WacanaIlmu, 1988), 55-60.

Denys Lombard, Java Nusa: Cross Cultural in Mediterranean, translate in

Indonesia by Winarsih Partaningrat Arifin, Nusa Jawa Silang Budaya in
Batas-Batas Pembaratan, (Jakarta :GramediaPustaka, 2005), 19.

M.C. Ricklefs, A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1300, translate in Indonesia

by Dharmono Hardjowidjono, Sejarah Indonesia Modern 1200-2008
(Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press, 1990), 20.

H.J. de Graaf, South-East Asian Islam to Eighteenth Century in The Cambridge

Hostory of Islam, Volume 2A, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1987), 123.

Maksum, Madrasah : Sejarah dan perkembangannya, (Jakarta : Logos Wacan

Ilmu, 2000), 82.

Fachry Ali and Bahtiar Effendi, Merambah Jalan baru Islam in Rekonstruksi
Pemikiran Islam Indonesia Masa Orde Baru (Bandung : Mizan, 1986), 32.
Ibid, 32-34.