Muhammad Hasan of Brunei

Muhammad Hasan
محمد حسن
Sultan of Brunei
Reign1582–1598
PredecessorShah Berunai
SuccessorAbdul Jalilul Akbar
BornMuhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam
Died1598
Istana Tanjong Kindana, Brunei-Muara, Brunei
Burial
SpousePuteri Sulu
Issue
Detail
Names
Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam
Regnal name
Sultan Muhammad Hasan ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam
HouseBolkiah
FatherSaiful Rijal
MotherSiti Kesuma Marwarni
ReligionSunni Islam

Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam (Jawi: محمد حسن ابن سيف الرجال نور العالم‎; died 1598), also known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the tenth Sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598.[1][2] Under him, the Bruneian Empire had apparently full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.[3]

Reign (1582–1598)[edit]

In 1582, Muhammad Hasan ascended the throne, thus becoming the ninth Sultan of Brunei. Kota Batu was finished under his rule with two square-shaped palaces enclosed by walls. To make it easier for the sultan to connect with the populace in the form of administration, palaces, mosques, and educational facilities have been established in the Kota Batu area in accordance with the time period.[4] Additionally, he designed the bridge connecting Tanjong Kindana, also known as Tanjong Chendana, to the island and the fortress on Pulau Cermin.[5]

During his reign, two new Viziers were introduced and were known as Pengiran Di-Gadong and Pengiran Pemancha. Moreover, he actively promoted Sunni Islam in the Philippine Islands.[6] His foreign envoy designation was changed to Duta (Ambassador). It can also be noted that the book, Kanun Brunei, was written by the Sultan. His palace was fortified by four-square city with cannons in place. He commanded the attack on Milau of the Kelabitic group in Sarawak,[7] to be carried out by Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela.[8] After the Bruneian troops put an end to the uprising, Milau returned to Brunei and submitted.[7]

Brunei-Pahang relations[edit]

The strong ties between the sultanates of Brunei and Pahang were noted in Chinese accounts from 1573 to 1619 that related how, when Johor attacked Pahang, a Brunei sultan came to Pahang's aid and assisted in the city's victory. The sultan stated was likely to be Sultan Muhammad Hasan our to the marriage relations established between the two sultanates' royal houses. When Sultan Abdul Ghafur of Pahang traveled to and stayed in Brunei with his wife, it was another indication of the close ties that exist between these two sultanates. The Pahang's Legal Code was copied from the Malaccan Legal Code, although Sultan Muhammad Hasan was able to do so because of their strong bond. This line of reasoning, however, falls flat because 21 out of the 50 clauses in the Brunei's Legal Code have similarities to the Malaccan Code.[9]

Sultan Hasan's Canons[edit]

The economy of Brunei was thriving in its heyday between the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the commercial and Islamic hub for Borneo's surroundings, including the Philippines and the Java islands as well as Borneo itself. Both the Aceh and Brunei sultanate both attained grandeur about the same time. There were comparisons made in the Salasilah Raja–Raja Brunei, between Sultan Muhammad Hasan and the subsequent Sultan Iskandar Muda. The Adat (Royal Customs), were a priority for both Sultans. A set of legislation known as Sultan Muhammad Hasan's canons was one of the most significant contributions made by him. The regulations encompassed almost every area, including royal etiquette, and were incredibly modern. For instance, Chapter 33 dealt with debt-related issues, and Chapter 34 dealt with bankruptcy-related issues. The laws also addressed issues relating to trade, interest payments, slander, theft, burglary, murder, and many other facets of daily life and issues affecting the welfare of the populace.[10]

Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar and his son Sultan Abdul Jalilul Jabbar imposed them the canons. The existence of the canons was noted by Sir Richard Windstedt in his book A History of Classical Malay Literature, published in 1972, Haji Metassim Haji Jibah in his article Catatan Mengenai Hukum Kanan (October to December 1980 edition) and later collected in his book Dokumentasi, published in 2004. The original paper by Sir Richard was written considerably earlier and appeared in the Royal Asiatic Society's Bulletin in 1939. In a 2003 book titled Hukum Kanun, edited by Haji Asri Haji Puteh, the preface to a copy of the Brunei Malay Canons preserved at Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka indicated that the laws or traditions stated in the canons were originally from Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain. There were commonalities between the Malacca and Brunei canons, but there were also notable variances. First of all, the Malacca Canons only contained 27 chapters while the Brunei Canons had 44 chapters.[11]

Reputation[edit]

In the Salasihah, it was noted that the two Sultans' firmness was comparable. Although the Salasilah did not specify what it meant when it spoke of kekerasan (firmness), one can assume that both Sultans were able to exercise their authority as the rulers of their respective nations with determinedness. Sultan Muhammad Hassan was praised by the populace in the Salasilah for being bold, just, and friendly to them.[10] Sultan Muhammad Hasan was described by Graham Saunders, citing, "Was in many respects an enlightened ruler, with a broader interest in the world and an interest in theological debate. He impressed the Jesuit, Father Antonio Preira, who was resident in Brunei for some months when caught by the monsoons, with both his tolerance and his knowledge."[12]

Death[edit]

The resting place of Sultan Muhammad Hasan at the Tanjong Kindana Royal Mausoleum at Bandar Seri Begawan

Sultan Muhammad Hasan passed away at Istana Tanjong Cheindana and was buried in Tanjung Chendana (also Tanjong Kindana),[13] Berambang Island in 1598.[8] After his death and burial, he was given the title of Marhum di Tanjung.[14] His son the Crown Prince of Brunei, Pengiran Muda Besar 'Abdul Jalilul 'Akbar would succeed him in the throne.[15] As of 2016, only remnants of his original gravestone remains on the site.[10]

Personal life[edit]

Tomb of Sultan Muhammad Hasan in 2023.

Sultan Muhammad Hasan was married four times, first three being Bruneian princesses while the fourth being Putri Sulu, daughter of Sultan Muhammad ul-Halim, Sultan of Sulu. By Putri Brunei, they had a son Sultan Abdul Kahar Jalil ul-Alam. Other issues he had were:

Namesakes[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Yunos, Rozan (2009). "The Era of Sultan Hassan". The Brunei Times.
  2. ^ Alibasyah, Teuku Iskandar (1996). Sultan Hassan (Marhum di Tanjung) dan Sultan Iskandar Muda (Marhum Mahkota Alam). Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Akademi Pengajian Brunei, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
  3. ^ Gin, Ooi Keat (14 December 2015). Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-65997-6.
  4. ^ Rauh, Abdol. Sistem Beraja Di Brunei Darussalam: Satu Tinjauan Dari Perspektif Politik Islam - Pusat Pentadbiran Tradisi Brunei (PDF). p. 970.
  5. ^ Brunei (1977). Annual Report - State of Brunei. p. 494.
  6. ^ "Sejarah Sultan-Sultan Brunei" (PDF). Hmjubliemas.gov.bn. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  7. ^ a b Awang.), Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri (Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Diraja Dato Seri Utama Haji (1997). Tarsilah Brunei: Zaman kegemilangan dan kemasyhuran (in Malay). Jabatan Pusat Sejarah, Kementerian Kebudayaan Belia dan Sukan. p. 108.
  8. ^ a b "Pusat Sejarah Brunei - Sultan - Sultan Brunei". www.history-centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  9. ^ Gin, Ooi Keat; King, Victor T. (29 July 2022). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Brunei. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-56864-6.
  10. ^ a b c Yunos, Rozan (1 January 2016). "TWO GREAT SULTANS: SULTAN HASAN OF BRUNEI AND SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA OF ACHEH". The Brunei Times.
  11. ^ "Sultan Hassan's Canons: Islamic Law in Brunei from the 16th Century". Sultan Hassan's Canons. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  12. ^ Saunders, Graham E. (1994). A History of Brunei. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-967-65-3049-3.
  13. ^ Jurnal Beriga (in Malay). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 2008. p. 45.
  14. ^ Genealogical Tree
  15. ^ "SULTAN-SULTAN BRUNEI" (PDF). Brunei History Centre. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ^ Scoop, The (27 June 2021). "Temburong secondary school to get new $16.3 million building". The Scoop. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  17. ^ admin (6 March 2023). "Sultan Hassan Secondary School New Building". Brunei News Gazette. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Minister Of Education Conducted Working Visit To Temburong". Ministry of Education. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
Regnal titles
Preceded by Sultan of Brunei
1582–1598
Succeeded by