Shi'ism in the Archipelago: Early Development Process and Its Effect on Sufism

Shi'ism rapid development in Indonesia, especially after the Shiite revolution in Iran, cannot be separated from their various missionary activities and the establishment of various institutions as a means to spread the Shia teachings, particularly among students and teaching staff at higher eductaional intitutions. The development of Shi'ism gre rapidly after the Reformation in 1998 when minority groups were increasingly showing their existence after the fall of the New Order government. The recent rapid government of Shiism is a continuation of the Shiite arrival to the archipelago that until now there is still a difference of opinion among historians. This paper focuses on the early development of the Shia in the archipelago and its influence on Sufism due to the similarities between the two teachings in certain aspects. The various equations also influence the process of Shi'ism accession because Tariqat groups spread across several areas in the archipelago are considered as the first group to introduce the teachings of Islam. Most of the leades and teachers in several groups of Thariqat consider themselves as decendant of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him whom are called Ahlul Bait and genealogical knowledge and the priest or Imam makes one Imam in the Shiite group ranks among the teachers Thariqat are highly respected. The search through historical primary sources is a very important first step in this research, especially old manuscripts that the existences are increasingly difficult to obtain. Analysis of the previous works that were writen in the 20th century showed the differences of opinion about difference theories explain the influx of Shiite in the archipelago, especially if it is associated with the establishment of various groups Thariqat that lists one or some of the Shia Imam in Thariqat teachers whom are respected.