Brief Biography of Sunan Giri from Childhood to Adulthood, Learn His Preaching Method

Kapanlagi.com - The nine saints played a role in the history of spreading Islam in Java. Therefore, it is important to know the biography of the saints. Sunan Giri is one of them. Knowing the biography of Sunan Giri is important, as it contains many stories of struggles that can be emulated.

Like other saints, Sunan Giri also had his own preaching story. Sunan Giri preached and spread Islam during the Majapahit Kingdom era. In preaching and spreading Islam, Sunan Giri had a unique and distinctive method. For more details, here is a review of the biography of Sunan Giri.

1. Personal Life and Childhood

(credit: wikipedia)

Sunan Giri lived in the 14th century. Sunan Giri was born in 1442 AD with the birth name Jaka Samudra. Besides being known as Sunan Giri and his birth name Jaka Samudra, he was also known by several other names such as Raden Paku, Prabu Satmata, Sultan Abdul Faqih, Raden 'Ainul Yaqin. The name Sunan Giri itself was obtained from his story of building a Giri Kedaton pesantren in Gresik.

Sunan Giri was born into a noble family. Sunan Giri's father was named Syekh Maulana Ishak. He was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through the line of Husein, the son of Sayyidah Fatimah. Meanwhile, Sunan Giri's mother was named Dewi Sekardadu. His mother was still the daughter of King Blambangan, Bhre Wirabhumi who was none other than Maharaja Hayam Wuruk who had led Majapahit.

Although born into a royal family, Sunan Giri's fate as a child was considered unfortunate. Sunan Giri was born in a bad situation where a serious disease outbreak was occurring in Gresik at that time. As a result, Sunan Giri, who was newly born, became a scapegoat and was considered a disaster carrier. Until finally, Bhre Wirabumi, who was none other than Sunan Giri's grandfather, ordered people to throw his grandson into the sea.

Fortunately, when he was thrown away, Sunan Giri, who was still a baby at that time, was found by Nyi Ageng Pinatih. Nyi Ageng Pinatih was a wealthy merchant in Gresik. Since then, Sunan Giri was raised and taken care of by Nyi Ageng Pinatih until he was 7 years old. After he turned 7, Sunan Giri began to adventure to deepen his knowledge of Islam.

Sunan Giri passed away in 1506 AD and was buried on a hill in the Giri Gajah Hamlet, Giri Village, Kebomas District, Gresik, East Java.

2. Journey of Deepening Religion

Sunan Giri began to learn about Islam at a very young age of 7. At that time, Sunan Giri was still known as Jaka Samudra and was entrusted by Nyi Ageng Pinatih, who found him in the sea, to the Ampel Denta pesantren under the care of Sunan Ampel. Under the guidance of his teacher, Sunan Ampel, Jaka Samudra's name was changed to Raden Paku.

During his time at the Ampel Denta pesantren, Sunan Giri or Raden Paku learned a lot about religious knowledge. Sunan Giri studied the Quran, hadith, fiqh, and Tasawuf under the guidance of Sunan Ampel. Due to his intelligence, Raden Paku was able to understand everything that Sunan Ampel taught him. Thanks to his extraordinary talent, Raden Paku was then given the title Maulana Ainul Yaqin.

Not satisfied with just studying at the pesantren, Raden Paku or Maulana Ainul Yaqin decided to study religion in Mecca. Initially, Maulana Ainul Yaqin planned to go to Mecca to study and perform the Hajj pilgrimage. However, during his journey, when he arrived in Aceh, Maulana Ainul Yaqin met his father Syekh Maulana Ishak. His father advised Maulana Ainul Yaqin to deepen his religious knowledge and encouraged him to build a pesantren in his hometown, in the Gresik area.

Long story short, Maulana Ainul Yaqin or Sunan Giri agreed to his father's suggestion. He then built the Giri Kedaton pesantren in Gresik. The pesantren grew rapidly and became famous as one of the centers for spreading Islam in Java.

Not only on the island of Java, the influence of the Giri Kedaton pesantren was also said to have reached Madura, Lombok, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Maluku. The influence of the Giri Kedaton pesantren in Gresik and its surroundings lasted for several generations until it was finally overthrown by Sultan Agung.

3. Preaching and Arts

(credit: wikipedia)

Wali Songo are generally known for their unique preaching methods and efforts to get closer to the community. Sunan Giri himself used various methods in his preaching. Sunan Giri's preaching method covers aspects of education, culture, and even politics.

The Sunan Giri Islamic boarding school is well-known throughout the country, attracting many students from various regions. Even though it has attracted many students from various regions, Sunan Giri is still not hesitant to get up close and personal and teach them face-to-face.

In addition, Sunan Giri also tries to approach the community. For example, by gathering the community in slametan events, ceremonies, and others. Through these events, Islamic teachings are conveyed gently and easily understood.

Sunan Giri also preaches through the arts. Sunan Giri often utilizes performing arts in his preaching. This has been proven effective in attracting the interest of the community. In the arts, Sunan Giri is also known as the creator of Javanese songs such as Asmaradhana and Pucung, then Padang Bulan, Jor, Gula Ganti, and children's games Cublak-cublak Suweng.

That's a glimpse of Sunan Giri's biography. Hopefully useful and can add insight!

(kpl/gen/psp)