Rihla : From the Hadramawt to Gujarat to the Malay Sultanates

1638: The year Sheikh Nur al-Din al-Raniri wrote the Bustan al-Salatin (Garden of Kings) pioneering the South East Asian history, with his encyclopedic masterpiece during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Thani (Sultan Iskandar the Second).

Today, Bustan al-Salatin (a page extract in the background of the poster above) stands along with other major works from the 17th century such as Taj al-Salatin and Sulalatus Salatin, is treasured as blueprints to South East Asian history and civilisation. The Bustan al-Salatin, is meaningless without the hands who wrote it, the wisdom-laden critical and deep thought which supplied the context for what is a seven volume encyclopedia.

Sheikh Nur al-Din (also referred widely as Nuruddin) was a man of noble stature. He was of Arab Hadrahmi Arab decent of Quraysh lineage, and born in Ranir (modern day Rander), Gujarat. His travel to South East Asia took place in 1621 after studying in India and the Hejaz, where he performed his hajj. A sea journey which could have taken him or anyone in the 17th century anywhere between 30 to 45 days during the right sailing season. His arrival in Aceh was right at the start Sultan Iskandar Thani reign.

Sultan Iskandar Thani (Iskandar the Second) was actually a Pahang prince brought to Aceh during the conquest of Pahang in 1617 by Sultan Iskandar Muda. Adopted by Sultan Iskandar Muda, he was elected as crown prince and later ascended the throne after the death of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

Like any other royal courts, where patronage is more than funding scholars and artists, Sheikh Nur al-Din quickly rose to ranks as a jurist consult (mufti). Bustan al-Salatin not only touched universal history, but also values from theological interpretations where he highlighted the ethos, moral obligation and accountability of a Ruler (Raja) and his ministers (Pembesar).This was a major enforcer in Sultan Iskandar Thani's retaining and expansion of the Sultanate's position against the expanding Portuguese and Dutch vision.

Sheikh Nur al-Din al-Raniri remains an iconic figure who is an epitome of the Islamic spirit of rihla, or journeying rooted in the belief that 'ilm (knowledge) is best preserved through human transmission and not just books.