Islam and State in Sumatra: A Study of Seventeenth-Century Aceh (2004) [Islamic History and Civilization]

This study looks at the Islamic character of the Acehnese state in the seventeenth century. It examines not only its Islamic institutions but also its political culture and policies towards Islam. The discussion begins with a historical sketch of the rise of Aceh in the sixteenth century, followed by an analysis of the ruler and authority, the royal enclosure, Islamic religious ceremonies and the Islamic institutions of the state. The work concludes with a brief comparison of Aceh with other Islamic states in the region, especially Melaka and Mataram, whereby it is shown that the Islamic nature of the Acehnese state was more pronounced. This study is of particular interest to scholars and students of Islam, history, anthropology and political science. -- Jacket. Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 List of Abbreviations......Page 12 Note on Spelling and Transliteration......Page 14 Introduction......Page 15 A. The Foundation of Aceh......Page 25 B. The Rise of a Powerful State......Page 35 C. Reasons for Its Rise......Page 48 A. The Office of Sultān: Its Origins and Authority......Page 51 B. Succession and Legitimation......Page 79 C. The Ruler's Tasks......Page 104 A. The Royal Compound and Its Centrality......Page 108 B. Religious Ceremonies......Page 132 The Adat Aceh and the Ceremonies......Page 133 The Ceremonies......Page 137 The Construction of the Ceremonies......Page 156 A. The 'Ulamā' and the State......Page 161 Shaykh al-Islām......Page 162 The Qādī (the Islamic Judge)......Page 175 B. Adat and Islamic Law......Page 181 Penal Laws......Page 183 Traditional Royal Punishment......Page 195 C. Jihād......Page 198 The Justification for War......Page 203 The Authority to Declare Jihād......Page 206 The Conduct of the War......Page 208 CHAPTER FIVE A Comparative Analysis......Page 219 A. Melaka: A Fifteenth-Century Coastal Sultanate......Page 220 B. Mataram: An Inland Javanese Sultanate......Page 234 C. A Comparative Note......Page 246 Conclusion......Page 255 Bibliography......Page 263 S......Page 279 W......Page 280 B......Page 281 H......Page 282 L......Page 283 P......Page 284 S......Page 285 U......Page 286 Z......Page 287

This study looks at the Islamic character of the Acehnese state in the seventeenth century. It examines not only its Islamic institutions but also its political culture and policies towards Islam. The discussion begins with a historical sketch of the rise of Aceh in the sixteenth century, followed by an analysis of the ruler and authority, the royal enclosure, Islamic religious ceremonies and the Islamic institutions of the state. The work concludes with a brief comparison of Aceh with other Islamic states in the region, especially Melaka and Mataram, whereby it is shown that the Islamic nature of the Acehnese state was more pronounced. This study is of particular interest to scholars and students of Islam, history, anthropology and political science.