East Sumatra and South Tapanuli Ulama on Religious Sciences at the Turn of the 20th Century

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the scientific orientation of Mandailing ulama (Islamic Scholars) at the beginning of the 20th century. This study was conducted through library research with a historical approach. Kuntowijoyo’s historical research model was applied in this study. The data were obtained from documents related to the great works of Mandailing Islamic scholars. This study found that Mandailing Islamic scholars in both Tapanuli and East Sumatra Residency produced written works in various Islamic fields, especially in the field of the Qur’an/tafsir, hadith, theology, morals and spirituality (tashawwuf), jurisprudence, social culture and politics, Arabic, and history. The scholarly works were written in Indonesian, Arabic, and Malay (Jawi script). The findings of this study indicate that the theoretical orientation of Mandailing Ulama is in the Islamic sciences. Unfortunately, most of their works have not been republished, yet they are all part of the intellectual heritage of Islam in the modern Malay world. Thus, this study is expected to enrich local Islamic studies in Indonesia. Keywords: Islamic religious science, classification of Islamic sciences, Mandailing Islamic scholars, Indonesia