Not the 13th Century: Islam Entered Indonesia as Early as the 7th Century?
The timeline of Islam’s arrival in Indonesia has been a topic of debate among historians and scholars for decades. A widely accepted theory places the introduction of Islam in the 13th century, but emerging evidence suggests that Islam may have arrived in the archipelago as early as the 7th century.
This perspective was highlighted by Fadli Zon, Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, during the opening of the Festival Harmoni Istiqlal at the Istiqlal Mosque on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. According to him, recent archaeological discoveries could necessitate rewriting the history of Islam in Indonesia.
“At the Bongal Site in Central Tapanuli, we found numerous coin artifacts indicating that Islam arrived in Indonesia during the first century of the Hijri calendar, which corresponds to the 7th century CE,” said Fadli Zon.
Evidence from the Bongal Archaeological Site
The Bongal Site, located in Central Tapanuli, has revealed a treasure trove of archaeological evidence dating back to the 7th to 10th centuries CE. Coins discovered at the site, originating from the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750) and the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1517), indicate the presence of Islamic influences in the region far earlier than traditionally believed.
These discoveries challenge the dominant Gujarat Theory, which posits that Islam was introduced to Indonesia in the 13th century by Muslim traders from Gujarat, India. One of the key pieces of evidence supporting the Gujarat Theory is the gravestone of Malik al-Saleh, the first ruler of the Samudera Pasai Sultanate, dated to 1297 CE.
However, the artifacts from the Bongal Site suggest that Islam had established a foothold in Indonesia centuries before Malik al-Saleh’s time. According to Fadli Zon, Islam was already thriving during the Majapahit era, possibly even ranking as the third-largest religion in the kingdom.
Alternative Historical Theories: Islam’s Early Arrival
In addition to the Bongal discoveries, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, cited records that Islam may have reached the archipelago during the reign of Uthman ibn Affan (644–656), the third Caliph of Islam. These records, found in ancient Persian and Iranian texts, document extensive trade between the Arab world and China as early as the 7th century.
“Three centuries before the birth of Muhammad, trade between China and the Arab world was already thriving. If we trace the Silk Road, Indonesia is at the heart of these trade routes,” Nasaruddin explained.
How Did Islam Arrive in Indonesia?
Islam’s early introduction to Indonesia is believed to have been facilitated by maritime trade. The Indonesian archipelago, located strategically along the ancient trade routes between the Arabian Peninsula, India, and China, became a melting pot of cultures and religions.
- 7th Century:
During the first century of the Hijri calendar (622–722 CE), Muslim traders from the Arabian Peninsula began exploring Southeast Asia. As they settled in port cities and established trading posts, they brought with them not only goods but also Islamic teachings. The coins from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties found at the Bongal Site corroborate this timeline. - 9th–10th Century:
By this period, Islam was likely spreading through trading networks, with Muslim merchants and scholars engaging with local rulers and communities. Evidence of Islamic burial practices and mosques from this era further supports the religion’s growing influence. - 13th Century:
The 13th century marked the formal establishment of Islamic sultanates, such as Samudera Pasai in northern Sumatra. This period represents the consolidation of Islam as a dominant cultural and religious force in the region, coinciding with the rise of Muslim kingdoms across Southeast Asia.
Rewriting Indonesia’s Islamic History
The new findings at the Bongal Site and other historical evidence suggest that Islam’s presence in Indonesia predates the 13th century by several hundred years. This revelation challenges the long-held Gujarat Theory and highlights the need to revisit Indonesia’s historical narrative.
The early arrival of Islam in Indonesia underscores the region’s significance as a crossroads of global trade and culture. It also reveals how Islam adapted to and integrated with local traditions, contributing to the unique character of Indonesian Islam today.
Conclusion
The notion that Islam entered Indonesia in the 7th century opens up exciting new possibilities for understanding the country’s rich and diverse history. With evidence from archaeological sites like Bongal, ancient trade records, and the influence of early Muslim traders, it becomes increasingly clear that Islam’s roots in Indonesia run deeper and extend further back than previously thought.
