THE CONTRIBUTION OF ALAWIYYIN SCHOLARS IN GROUNDING ISLAM IN THE ARCHIPELAGO IN THE 15TH-16TH CENTURY AD

This study explains the contribution of the Alawiyyin scholars in the Islamization of the archipelago in the 15th-16th centuries AD. The Alawiyyin scholar or Bani Alawi was the descendant of Sayyid Alawi bin Ubaidillah bin Ahmad al-Muhajir who was connected to the Prophet Muhammad. They had played a major role in spreading Islam in the archipelago and contributed to the intellectual-spiritual development of Islamic civilizations in the archipelago. However, unfortunately, their role was not widely written by historians even though many classical scientific sources recorded their history. Therefore, this study provides new facts in revealing their contribution in spreading Islam in the archipelago through various works of literature of classical scholars who had recorded their contributions during the Islamization in the archipelago. This study was conducted using a literature study; with historical analysis to find historical data and facts about the contribution of Alawiyyin scholars in the Islamization of the archipelago in the 15th-16th centuries AD. The findings of this study show that Alawiyyin's contribution to the Islamization of the archipelago can be witnessed in their attempts to spread Islam, resulting in the birth of Islamic civilizations in the archipelago. They also helped to root Ahlussunnah wa Jama'ah, Syafii's sect (madzhab), and Sunni Sufism throughout the archipelago with wisdom