[Historical Short Story by Fatchuri Rosidin]
It is a story of dreams, exploration, and dedication driven by faith. This is a story about the historical adventures of a young boy in the early 15th century. Originally from Azerbaijan. But his name is written in the historical archives of the Italian museum of Ferrara and the historical records of Serat Wali Sana, Yogyakarta palace.
The name of the young man is Malik. At the age of still a teenager, he left his country to achieve his dream since childhood, studying at the center of world science at that time: Al-Azhar University, Egypt. A dream inspired by the stories of young adventurers told by their parents and teachers. So young Malik went to Egypt.
In Egypt, his understanding of Islam has become more complete. He also devours more and more history books containing the notes on the journey of scholars to explore the world to preach. Apart from studying religion, Malik also studied agriculture.
Egypt at that time had advanced agriculture. Perhaps they applied agricultural techniques in Ibn Awwam's book Al-Filaha which became the reference for the Andalusian agricultural system.
Ibn Battuta's record of world adventurers caught Malik's attention. About a country at the eastern end of the world producing spices which became the world's most expensive commodity at that time. A country whose name is widely discussed by traders of various nations. The land of a piece of heaven at the eastern end of the world. How happy he would be if he could go there and carve out the beauty of Islam like the previous scholars.
So Malik went on a merchant ship going to the archipelago. Penetrating the Red Sea, through the Arabian Gulf and Gujarat, then stopped at Champa and preached for a few years, then also stopped at the Pasai Ocean country which at that time became a transit port for world trade. He continued his journey south to Banten, continued his sea journey to Tuban, and ended his journey in Gresik.
He found Gresik ravaged by the civil war that tore apart Majapahit. The dispute between King Wikramawardhana and Bhre Wirabhumi in the Paregreg war in 1404 left Majapahit devastated and the population starved.
Malik felt this was where he would begin his mission. He did not establish Islamic boarding schools and encouraged people to embrace Islam. Malik opened a rice field area, invited residents to return to farming, introduced an irrigation system so that farmers did not just rely on rainwater as usual. The harvest which was originally only once a year can now be done twice. More and more people are following this day. From Gresik, it extends to Lamongan and Tuban.
Not only an agricultural expert, Malik also mastered the world of medicine. He treated the patients who came to him. Not only commoners, even Majapahit royal officials came for treatment. The intelligence, breadth of insight, and nobility of Malik's character became the bywords of the Majapahit people. They called him sunan as a tribute. From Malik, the people of Majapahit were familiar with Islam.
His success in introducing irrigated agricultural systems and making abundant rice harvests made his name known to the Majapahit palace. The then ruler of Majapahit, Ratu Suhita (ruled 1427-1447) awarded him the award and dubbed him Wong Agung Majapahit. Ratu Suhita awarded him a piece of land on the outskirts of Gresik. It was there that Maulana Malik Ibrahim, his full name, developed preaching. The residents of Majapahit call it Sunan Gresik.
Such is the story of the dreams, exploration and dedication of a young boy who was imbued with faith. That is what education should be like.
Education is not just filling children's brains with knowledge. Education must inspire and give birth to dreams. Dream of changing the world. Then encourage adventure and explore the world. Education must generate passion and be strengthened by dedication to make it happen. And above all, faith is the source of his zeal.
How about our education? What about our children's education? Have we inspired them, given birth to dreams, taught dedication, and joined them with faith? [Source: www.fatchuri.com] [DDHK News]
Fatchuri Rosidin is the Director of IMZ Consulting, a consultant and public speaker in the fields of motivation, human resource development, leadership, parenting, and community empowerment.
