The tracing engagement and support of Abdurrauf As-Singkili in the history of Sultanah Safiatuddin’s leadership in Aceh Sultanate (1641-1675)

Abstract

This paper aims to reconstruct the history of Sultanah Safiatuddin’s leadership in the Aceh Sultanate and analyze Abdurrauf As-Singkili’s involvement in supporting women’s leadership in Aceh. This paper uses historical research methods. The use of historical research methods in this research is carried out through five steps: topic selection, heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The results of this study show that the Aceh Sultanate in the 17th century underwent a vital change marked by the emergence of the leadership of Sultanah Safiatuddin (1641-1675) as a representation of women’s leadership in the Aceh Sultanate in the 17th century. During his 34 years leading the Aceh Sultanate, Sultanah Safiatuddin recorded some outstanding achievements despite the many serious threats. Many factors caused the emergence of the leadership of Sultanah Safiatuddin, and one of them was the involvement of scholars in Aceh, such as Abdurrauf As-Singkili, who gave full support to the leadership of Sultanah Safiatuddin. The support given by Abdurrauf As-Singkili to the leadership of Sultanah Safiatuddin can be traced through three steps as follows: (1) Abdurrauf As-Singkili was willing to publish the book Mir’at al-Thullab written at the request of Sultanah Safiatuddin. In Mir’at al-Thullab, Abdurrauf As-Singkili expresses a critical thought about the ability of women to be appointed leaders and judges; (2) Abdurrauf As-Singkili accepted the offer of Sultanah Safiatuddin to be appointed mufti or advisor to the Aceh sultanate with the post of Qadhi Malik al-Adil; and (3) Abdurrauf As-Singkili succeeded in stopping opposition groups that were anti- women’s leadership. The three supports confirmed that Abdurrauf As-Singkili recognized and strengthened women’s leadership in Aceh led by Sultanah Safiatuddin. This support became crucial for the leadership of Sultanah Safiatuddin because Abdurrauf As-Singkili had transformed into a political force owned by Sultanah Safiatuddin.