Azim ud-Din I of Sulu
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Azim ud-Din I (Ferdinand I) | |||||
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Sultan Azim ud-Din II | |||||
Successor | Sultan Bantilan Muizz ud-Din Sultan Muhammad Israil | ||||
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House | Maharajah Adinda | ||||
Religion | Sunni Islam briefly Christianity |
Muhammad Azim ud-Din I (
Early life
The young Alimuddin initially attended the school of his father,
First reign
Azim ud-Din I acceded the throne in 1732 after his father abdicated, but only assumed full powers and formal recognition in 1735 when his cousin, Nasar ud-Din, abandoned claims to the throne. One of the earliest events in the reign of Azim ud-Din I was his ratification of the Treaty of 1737. He was represented in Manila by Datu Mohammad Ismael and Datu Ja'far, who both signed the document. The treaty, drawn in January 1737 by Governor-General Fernando Valdes y Tamon, contained five articles: first, the preservation of permanent peace between the two states; second, the provision for alliance and mutual aid against any foreign foe; third, free trade between the two states; fourth, responsibility of each state for all infractions of the peace; and fifth, provision for the exchange of captives and return of all church images and ornaments.
Abdication
On 12 July 1744,
Bantilan tried to assassinate the Sultan by thrusting a spear at him, inflicting a severe wound on his side or thigh. In the ensuing unrest, it became too dangerous for the missionaries to remain in Jolo. Overpowered, disheartened, and grieved, Azim ud-Din I fled Jolo with his family and retinue for Zamboanga, where he sought the aid of Spain against Bantilan's unopposed seizure of power. Bantilan did not expel the Jesuits but he gave them no opportunity to accomplish their mission.
Conversion to Christianity
Azim ud-Din I travelled to Cavite on 2 January 1749. In Manila, Governor-General Juan de Arechederra, Bishop of Nueva Segovia, gave him a reception befitting a prince of high rank. The Sultan was publicly received in the Hall of the Audiencia, but instead of immediately addressing the issue of his usurpation, he told Arechederra that he wanted to be instructed in the Christian faith preparatory to receiving the Sacrament of Baptism to the latter's great joy. He was baptised in 1750, taking the name Fernando de Alimuddin, with the regnal name of Ferdinand I (Spanish: Fernando 1.° de Sulú).[1]
The new Governor-General, the Marquis of Brindisi and Ovando, promised now Ferdinand I that the Spanish would restore him to the throne and punish Bantilan and his pirates.[1] It is unclear whether Ferdinand I embraced Christianity sincerely or merely as a political move,[2] a matter held in doubt by the Spanish.
Second reign
Before leaving
Ferdinand I remained in prison until Great Britain captured and occupied Manila during the Seven Years' War in 1762. The following year, he was restored to the throne by the British,[3] upon whose departure from Manila after the signing of the Treaty of Paris saw raids by Sulu pirates on the city intensify.
Reversion to Islam
After Sultan Bantilan had died, Bantilan's son,
Legacy
Azim ud-Din I is one of the more beloved monarchs of Sulu, regarded to be a man of peace and a reformer. He kept his end of the Treaty of 1737 faithfully and was actually obliterated during the whole period he held the reins of government. He also minted money, organised an army and tried to establish a navy.
He had a reputation amongst his subjects as "an authority almost supreme," earning him the title "Chief of Pandita" for his erudite and precise explanations of the Qur'an. He revised the sultanate's legal code and its justice system, and initiated translation of portions of the Qur'an and several legal and religious into the local language. He strongly urged his government to observe their religion faithfully, and wanted all panditas to learn Arabic, initiating the drafting of a vocabulary of Islamic terms as a preliminary step into making Arabic the official language of the state.
See also
Citations
References
- Larousse, William; Pontificia Università gregoriana. Centre "Cultures and Religions." (2001). A local Church living for dialogue: Muslim-Christian relations in Mindanao-Sulu, Philippines : 1965–2000. Gregorian&Biblical BookShop..