SYAIR MA‘RIFAT: POLISHING PEARL EMPOWERING RELIGION

Syair is a genre of Malay poetry created between Malay’s pantun and ruba ai in Persian literature. In the early stages of its creation, it was a platform in political-missionary to depict the teachings of sufism. Syair Ma rifat was purportedly written by Shaykh ‘Abd al- Ra`uf al-Fansuri. This poem became a political-missionary tool delivering the basics guide to someone who wants to live as sufis who reached the summit of ma rifatu Llāh. It also beneficial to every Muslim who wants to find happiness in this world and the hereafter. Shaykh Abd al-Ra`uf al-Fansuri in the history of Aceh was one of the most important figures who served as the qadi malik al-‘qdil (mufti) to the Aceh government. His higher position in the Aceh political system was significant on the understanding of Islam that he brought to the people. This article discusses the ability of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Ra`uf al-Fansuri using Syair Ma rifat as a political-missionary as a tool in explicating the teachings of Islam. Apparently he was able to use poetry to express the basic of Islamic knowledge.