Muhammad Hasan of Brunei

Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal^[1] (died c. 1598), posthumously known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598.^[2][3] During his reign, the Bruneian Empire had full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.^[4]

Muhammad Hasan became the ninth sultan of Brunei when he ascended to the throne in 1582. When he was done ruling, Kota Batu had two surrounded, square-shaped palaces. In the Kota Batu administration, palaces, mosques, and educational institutions have been created according to the period to facilitate the sultan's administrative connections with the public. He also created the bridge that connects the island and the stronghold on Pulau Cermin to Tanjong Kindana, also called Tanjong Chendana.^[5] Additionally, he designed the bridge connecting Tanjong Kindana, also known as Tanjong Chendana, to the island and the fortress on Pulau Cermin.^[6]

Pengiran Di-Gadong and Pengiran Pemancha were the two new Wazirs (Viziers) installed during his reign. In addition, he strongly defended Sunni Islam in the Philippine Islands.^[7] His designation as a foreign envoy was modified to Duta (Ambassador). It should be mentioned that the Sultan wrote the book Kanun Brunei. A four-square city with installed guns defended his palace. He gave the order for Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela to launch an assault on Milau, a Kelabitic clan, in Sarawak.^[8] Milau surrendered when the rebellion was put down by Bruneian forces.^[9]

Chinese chronicles spanning from 1573 to 1619 highlighted the close relationship between the sultanates of Pahang and Brunei. These stories described how a sultan from Brunei defended Pahang against an invasion by Johor and helped the city survive.  Due to the married links that were arranged between the royal houses of the two sultanates, the sultan in question was most likely Muhammad Hasan. Another sign of the strong relationship between these two sultanates is the fact that Sultan Abdul Ghafur of Pahang visited and remained in Brunei with his spouse.^[10]

Sultan Muhammad Hasan was able to replicate the Malaccan Legal Code into the Pahang Legal Code, despite their close relationship making this possible. Muhammad Hasan was able to replicate the Malaccan Legal Code into the Pahang Legal Code, despite their close relationship making this possible. Nevertheless, this argument is weak because the Brunei Legal Code shares parallels with the Malaccan Code in 21 of its 50 sections.^[10]

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the economy of Brunei was booming and it was the commercial and Islamic center for Borneo and its neighboring countries, the Philippine and Java islands. Around the same period, the sultanates of Aceh and Brunei both reached a state of success. In the Salasilah Raja–Raja Brunei, Muhammad Hasan and the succeeding Sultan Iskandar Muda were compared. The Adat (Royal Customs), were a priority for both Sultans.^[11]

One of Muhammad Hasan's greatest accomplishments was a body of legislation known as the canons. The rules were quite contemporary and covered practically every aspect, including royal etiquette. For example, Chapter 33 addressed matters pertaining to debt, while Chapter 34 addressed matters pertaining to bankruptcy. The laws also covered a wide range of other aspects of everyday life and matters impacting the welfare of the public, including commerce, interest payments, defamation, theft, burglary, and murder.^[11]

Muhammad Hasan passed away at Istana Tanjong Cheindana and was buried in Tanjung Chendana (also Tanjong Kindana),^[12] Berambang Island in 1598.^[8] After his death and burial, he was given the title of Marhum di Tanjung.^[13] His eldest son, Pengiran Muda Besar 'Abdul Jalilul Akbar, succeeded him as Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar, who remained in power until 1659. The Imam, Khatib, and Mudim were among the religious authorities who said prayers in the mosque after Muhammad Hasan's body was sent there for the funeral. Following his interment, a 20-day recital of Quranic passages in his honour was performed, followed by the talkin (death rite).^[14]

Following the funeral, religious leaders assembled to recite the dzikir 70,000 times in remembrance of the departed. Muhammad Hasan's family made sedekah forty days later with the hope that the blessings, or pahala, would help him in the hereafter. On this forty-first day, there was another recital of passages from the Quran. The nobat was silent throughout this time of grief. Forty days after Muhammad Hasan's death, Abdul Jalilul Akbar was crowned as the next sultan following the playing of the nobat. Commanders, subjects, the Pengiran Bendahara, Raja-Raja, Cheteria, and Manteri were among the high-ranking authorities that attended the ceremony.^[14]

As of 2016, only remnants of his tomb and original gravestone remain on the site.^[11][15]

Only Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar and Sultan Muhammad Ali have been recognised as Muhammad Hasan's legitimate sons. Additionally, he had two legitimate daughters: Pengiran Tuah, who was famous for her riches, and Raja Siti Nur Alam, who inherited from her aunt Raja Retna. Sultan Abdul Jalilul Jabbar succeeded his father, Abdul Jalilul Akbar, who is said to have been the eldest son. Muhammad Hasan's second daughter, Pengiran Tuah, and her husband, Pengiran Mohamed, who would eventually become Pengiran Bendahara, were the parents of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin. The complicated ancestry and claims within Sultan Hassan's family were further complicated by the seizing of the throne by Sultan Abdul Mubin, the third son of Pengiran Tuah.^[16] Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah is another son of Muhammad Hasan and is recognised as the only Sultan of Sarawak.^[17][18] Meanwhile, his other son, Muwallil Wasit Bungsu, ascended to become the Sultan of Sulu.^[19]

Both versions of the Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei state that Muhammad Hasan conquered Sulu. In 1578, the Sulu Archipelago was taken by Don Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa, leading to the surrender of the Brunei Adipati, Raja Iro (or Ilo), who was Saiful Rijal's brother-in-law. By the end of that year, Raja Iro and his followers had returned to Brunei, and Sulu became an encomienda entrusted to Don Pedro de Oseguera and his son. This arrangement lasted until the early 17th century when Brunei regained control. In 1614, Admiral Laurens Reael encountered "the Young King of Sulu," who left a strong impression on him; this was none other than the illustrious Raja Bongsu, son of Muhammad Hasan and grandson of Raja Iro. Thus, it is likely that Muhammad Hasan's conquest occurred sometime before 1614. Additionally, the Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei notes that Raja Tengah, Sultan Hasan's second son, was appointed to govern Sambas. Teun A. van Dijk also mentions that in 1609, Adipati Tengah of Sambas revolted against Brunei, seeking assistance from the Dutch, which resulted in disastrous consequences in 1612.^[20]

It was mentioned in the Salasilah that the two Sultans' levels of firmness were similar. When the Salasilah refers to kekerasan (firmness), it does not explain exactly, but it is reasonable to believe that both Sultans were able to use their determination as the head of state of their respective countries. The people of Salasilah hailed Muhammad Hassan for his boldness, justice, and friendliness toward them.^[11] Graham Saunders wrote, "Was in many respects an enlightened ruler, with a broader interest in the world and an interest in theological debate." to characterise Muhammad Hasan. Father Antonio Preira, a Jesuit who spent several months in Brunei due to the monsoon, was struck by him for his intelligence and his patience."^[21]

He is acknowledged in the Silsilah with enhancing the wealth and distinction of Brunei's royal traditions. He kept two palaces decked up in royal trappings, and the Sumbu Layang, a recognisable emblem of monarchy, was used to decorate his ceremonial hall, the Lapau. Sultan Mahkota Alam of Acheh was compared to him because of his leadership and adherence to tradition.^[14]

• Sultan Hassan Secondary School, a school in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong District^[22][23]
• Sultan Hassan Primary School, a school in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District^[24]

Citations

Bibliography

• Pengiran Haji Kamarul Zaman, Awangku Muhammad Nabeel (2019). "AN OBSERVATION OF CEREMONIAL PROCEDURES OF SULTAN ABDUL MOMIN'S FUNERAL (1885) AND SULTAN HASHIM'S ACCESSION TO THE THRONE (1885) AND CORONATION (1895): Continuity And Change". Jurnal Darussalam (in Malay). 19. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
• Yunos, Rozan (2016). "TWO GREAT SULTANS: SULTAN HASAN OF BRUNEI AND SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA OF ACHEH". The Brunei Times.