Transcript Coleman Curry

What kind of literary traditions, related
to the Qur’an were present during the
initial stages of Islam in Indonesia that
contributed to Muslim thought?
Early traditions:
- Southeast Asian Creation/ Origin Myths:
- Early Malay Writings
1. Hikayat Sri Rama (originated in Muslim sultanates) – true and
virtuous kings.
2. The Adam Saga - Shamsuddin as-Samatrani and his mystical
talking about the spirit of Muhammad creating Adam
finally succeeds in shaping Adam, until the life-giving
be trusted to God Himself,..”(91)
writings
“Muhammad
act, which has to
- Storytelling Traditions:
“…this story-based style has a strong appeal to certain readers, including many
in the Islamic states of Southeast Asia, where in contrast to its reception in the
Arab world, the narrative style of exegisis of al-Baghawi and al Khazin achieved
a considerable degree of populatity , becuae of the important role of storytelling in local folklore and religious practice.” 46
Political/ Religious Figures:
- Ar-Raniri – Gujarat, India (came to Aceh in 1637)
Bustanus Salatin - (The Garden of the Sultans)
“In the name of god, the benevolent, the Merciful.
Praise be to God, there is no divinity but He.
Hey was in the beginning, nothing besides Him.
He is the eternal, the everlasting.
Nothing was but He.
He created all beings, without any need.
When he wanted to show his Lordship
He created the Light of His Beloved.
From this Light he create all prophets
And established their excellence…”(71)
The purpose here is to explore historical figures and their literature in order to
gain an understanding of early Islamic thought in Indonesia and Malaysia. From
the study of various texts and figures I hope to connect my findings to a
relationship with the Qur’anic texts.
Bibliography:
Steenbrink, Karal. Adam Redivivus: Muslim elaborations of the Adam saga with special
reference to the Indonesian Literary Traditions. Zoetermeer: Interuniversitair Instituut,
1998.
Riddell, Peter. Islam and the Malay-Indonesian World. Honolulu: University of Hawaii
Press, 2001.
Saeed, Abdullah. Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Indonesia. London: Oxford
University Press, 2005.
Nagata, Judith. The Reflowering of Malaysian Islam: Modern Religious Radicals and Their
Roots. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 1984.
Gade, Anna M. Perfection Makes Practice. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2004.