Don’t Islamize us!

Don’t Islamize us! These are words usually coming from the mouth of Tausug old folks, every time they encounter new teaching propagated in their mosque.

Islam has been with the Tausug as early as 1380, while to other source Muslim missionaries had touched Sulu archipelago even at the time of Uthman ibn Affan.  This idea is more on analysis than fact. However, whatever transpired during that time we cannot say this and that unless we did witness by our naked eyes the actual happening. In short, most of us convinced that Islam did arrive earlier to Sulu through business activity, marital relationship, and through mystical power.

In Tausug tarsila, the famous account about the coming of Islam to Sulu was by means of “Lumpang Basi”. This object is called by some Tausug writer as Iron Bar. The known personalities who aboard this mystical object were Sayyid Abubakar @ Sultan Shariful Hashim, Karimul Makhdum, and Datu Masukud. These three secrets of Allah had their respective expertise and knowledge. Based on the accounts, Sayyid Abubakar taught Tausug with Tauhid and Fiqh, Karimul Makhdum propagated purely mysticism, and Datu Masukud taught his students with “Ilmu dunya” or better known as sihir [Magic].

The knowledge taught by these secrets of Allah did influence the Tausug way of life to the fullest.  From kitchen matters to engage in war with enemies the knowledge received had been used to clean and defend oneself from in and out of enemies attack.  This had been proven through annals of unwritten and written history when this land received the arrival of colonizers for hundreds of years and until now the Buranun in particular still antagonistic to the modern imperialists in their land – Filipino and American.

Graphic by: Neldy Jolo

 “If you are not clean, you’ll be easily penetrated by the power of bullet” according to a Tausug Sufi Master.  That’s why before you engage in war make sure your food is clean and pure [you only eat what is halal] so as your soul must also have a strong link with the Creator – Allah swt!

We share this is not to brag to other people but to let other people aware that Islam wasn’t arrive to Sulu just yesterday.  If you are a Muslim propagator you should at least aware of this thing. The Buranun and other Tausug ethnics would test you with bladed weapons and guns once you propagate to them the new knowledge or perhaps to test you if you really mastered what you preach.

To the Buranun, the knowledge of Islam must save us from any harm be it in this world much more in the hereafter. How would you convince them with the knowledge you brought if you will not response to the challenge? Remember your failure on this aspect would also serve as a failure of all propagators. Most of the people doing this thing were the one who received the knowledge of Datu Masukud.

The religious life of the Tausug is influenced by the teaching brought by Sultan Shariful Hashim Sayyid Abubakar – Tauhid and Fiqh. Whereas some other Buranuns were practicing the Karimul Makhdum way, focus on mystical world only. But the Tausug in general adhering to the Shafi’i school of thought and their Aqeedah is mix of Ashaera and knowledge brought by the secrets of Allah to this land. 

The Buranun in particular cannot be easily convinced by just saying a hadith or translation of the Qur’anic text in front of them. Some of them do not easily trust propagator who only master shariah. The Tausug in general likes the guru who masters Shariah, Tarikat, Hakikat and Ma’rifat. If you have this quality they would follow and serve you even to the pit of graveyard.

A Master like Shaykh Nazim is welcome in Sulu

Lately, the Buranun is in conflict with some ustadz who cannot adapt to their culture and adat. On this aspect, the scholars which they don’t welcome are the Hanabilah Mujassima who loves to condemn most Tausug culture and adat.

Sultan Jamalul Kiram II with panditas

Don’t Islamize the Tausug, because they are already practicing Islam. The cultures and adat they currently practice such as visiting the tampat [Sharif’s tomb], lika [Datu’s tombs], Magpanulak bala’ [bad omen prayer] had been approved by Muslim missionaries in the past. Just think Sultanate of Sulu was a progressive state in Likusantara [Malay Archipelago] the Ulama’ who visited and preached in this island country were selected in knowledge – most of them were from other Muslim countries.

The only discipline don’t fit with the Tausug is the scholar of Hanabilah Mujassima, if you are not belong to this you are at home to the Tausug.

Allahu wahlam