Thesis (M.A. in Security Studies)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Gaye Christoffersen, Robert Looney. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-81). Also available online.

The present dissertation studies the Islamic nature of the Acehnese state in the seventeenth century---a subject much neglected by area scholars and Islamicists alike due to the hybrid nature of Southeast Asian Islam. It examines not only the state's Islamic institutions but also its political culture and policies towards Islam. The Acehnese theory of kingship during the period under study manifests a decidedly Islamic character. Deemed to possess both political and religions authority, the office of the sult&dotbelow;an was viewed as necessary and its incumbent responsible for both the prosperity of his people and the enforcement of Islamic dogma. The court's policies towards Islam, given outward expression in elaborate religious rituals and ceremonies, reveal an imperial tradition in which the ruler himself was the head of the Muslim state, despite the apparent admixture of Southeast Asian elements. Other more traditional Islamic institutions were also fundamental to the Acehnese state. The 'ulama' played a significant role in both the religions and political spheres, while Islamic law became a dominant part of the judicial system, alongside adat (customary law and royal edicts/tradition). Jihad as well served to define the ideology of the state. In spite of its Southeast Asian appearance, therefore, the Islamic nature of the Acehnese state was more evident than in many other Muslim states in the region, such as fifteenth-century Melaka and seventeenth-century Mataram, a situation induced by geography, historical Islam, and the nature of Acehnese tradition.

The coming of the Portuguese to Malacca in 1511 disrupted the existence of the people of the Malay-Indonesian archipelago, where trade and Islam were the main influences. The Christian European intruders were regarded as both economic competitors and religious enemies. The Muslim kingdoms of the region put up fierce resistance to the Portuguese. The strongest opposition was shown by Aceh. Its response was mainly expression in three aspects; military action, political maneuvering and economic reaction. Jihad (holy war) also played an important spiritual role in the response. This resistance combined with the strategic location of Aceh in the northern tip of Sumatra and the support of other Muslim powers accelerated the rise of Aceh in the sixteenth century.

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This study discusses the establishment of Persatuan Ulama Seluruh Aceh (All Aceh Ulama Association) by a few forward-looking Acehnese 'ulama's and the role that this organization played in educational reforms in Aceh. The educational reforms are discussed in two ways: (1) The actual change in the educational system of the madrasa, and the establishment of a teachers' training school Normal Islam Instituut. (2) The socio-religious changes that contributed to the success of the educational revolution in Aceh. / The thesis discusses the educational changes made by Persatuan Ulama Seluruh Aceh and the impact they had on Aceh during the 1930's and indirectly on modern Aceh.

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This thesis studies the attitudes of the religious scholars associated with the dayah, the traditional institution of religious learning in Aceh, Indonesia, towards issues of the modernization of Islamic law. In the history of Islamic society in Aceh, these scholars, the 'ulama' dayah, have shown great initiative in guiding their society as it sought solutions to various problems. Their response was not confined merely to religious matters but also extended to the economic, political and social problems. / The impact of modern science and technology has led to many changes in economics, agriculture, medicine, and other fields. All these changes have to be evaluated in terms of their status in Islamic law, because Muslims have always sought to lead their lives in accordance with Islamic teachings. The 'ulama' dayah, have contributed to meeting the challenge of resolving such problems. In formulating their decisions, the 'ulama' dayah usually refer to the standard texts of the four classical schools of Islamic law. The reliance on classical texts is justified by their conviction that present-day 'ulama' are unable to exercise ijtihad independently since they lack the qualifications which have been traditionally demanded of a mujtahid.

Thesis (doctoral) - Humboldt-Universität, Berlin.