Tracing the Intellectual Connections of Shadhili Sufi Order Associated with Sheikh Yusuf al-Jawi from Indonesia to Africa in the 17th Century
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Sheikh Yusuf al-Jawi who was known as Sheikh Yusuf al-Makassari was a scholar of Shadhili Sufi order who lived in the 17th century during the rule of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa in the Sultanate of Banten. He is recognized not only as a local religious figure but also as a key actor internasional with Islamic intellectual connections linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Afrika. The intellectual connections of Sheikh were frequently mentioned by scholars who lived during the period, especially in relation to his scholarly sanad and the transmission of Shadhili sufi teachings that he introduced and developed. Therefore, this study aims to explore and analyze how the intellectual connections developed across the ocean from Indonesia to Africa. The research employs a literature-based method using a historical-philological approach to primary and secondary sources (references), particularly manuscripts and works written by scholars comtemporary with Sheikh Yusuf that document his intellectual and spiritual activities. Among the main sources analyzed are Tsabat al-Shuffuri and Musamarat al-Zharif. The results showed that Sheikh Yusuf successfully established Shadhili order intellectual connections from Indonesia to Middle East and Africa. This was supported by numerous records written by contemporary scholars such as Tsabat al-Shuffuri and Musamarat al-Zharif that recorded the intellectual connections. This study highlighs the significant role of Sheikh Yusuf in Internasional Islamic intellectual connections during the 17th century, and contributes to broader discussions on Islamic intellectual history and internasional sufi networks.
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