Muhammad Hasan

**Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam**, also known as **Marhum di Tanjung**, was the tenth Sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598. Under him, the Bruneian Empire had apparently full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.

## Reign (1582–1598)

In 1582, Muhammad Hasan ascended the throne, thus becoming the ninth Sultan of Brunei. Kota Batu was finished under his rule with two square-shaped palaces enclosed by walls. To make it easier for the sultan to connect with the populace in the form of administration, palaces, mosques, and educational facilities have been established in the Kota Batu area in accordance with the time period. Additionally, he designed the bridge connecting Tanjong Kindana, also known as Tanjong Chendana, to the island and the fortress on Pulau Cermin.

During his reign, two new Viziers were introduced and were known as *Pengiran Di-Gadong* and *Pengiran Pemancha*. Moreover, he actively promoted Sunni Islam in the Philippine Islands. His foreign envoy designation was changed to *Duta* (Ambassador). It can also be noted that the book, Kanun Brunei, was written by the Sultan. His palace was fortified by four-square city with cannons in place. He commanded the attack on Milau of the Kelabitic group in Sarawak, to be carried out by Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela. After the Bruneian troops put an end to the uprising, Milau returned to Brunei and submitted.

### Brunei-Pahang relations

The strong ties between the sultanates of Brunei and Pahang were noted in Chinese accounts from 1573 to 1619 that related how, when Johor attacked Pahang, a Brunei sultan came to Pahang's aid and assisted in the city's victory. The sultan stated was likely to be Sultan Muhammad Hasan our to the marriage relations established between the two sultanates' royal houses. When Sultan Abdul Ghafur of Pahang traveled to and stayed in Brunei with his wife, it was another indication of the close ties that exist between these two sultanates. The Pahang's Legal Code was copied from the Malaccan Legal Code, although Sultan Muhammad Hasan was able to do so because of their strong bond. This line of reasoning, however, falls flat because 21 out of the 50 clauses in the Brunei's Legal Code have similarities to the Malaccan Code.

### Sultan Hasan's Canons

The economy of Brunei was thriving in its heyday between the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the commercial and Islamic hub for Borneo's surroundings, including the Philippines and the Java islands as well as Borneo itself. Both the Aceh and Brunei sultanate both attained grandeur about the same time. There were comparisons made in the *Salasilah Raja–Raja Brunei*, between Sultan Muhammad Hasan and the subsequent Sultan Iskandar Muda. The *Adat* (Royal Customs), were a priority for both Sultans. A set of legislation known as Sultan Muhammad Hasan's canons was one of the most significant contributions made by him. The regulations encompassed almost every area, including royal etiquette, and were incredibly modern. For instance, Chapter 33 dealt with debt-related issues, and Chapter 34 dealt with bankruptcy-related issues. The laws also addressed issues relating to trade, interest payments, slander, theft, burglary, murder, and many other facets of daily life and issues affecting the welfare of the populace.

Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar and his son Sultan Abdul Jalilul Jabbar imposed them the canons. The existence of the canons was noted by Sir Richard Windstedt in his book A History of Classical Malay Literature, published in 1972, Haji Metassim Haji Jibah in his article Catatan Mengenai Hukum Kanan (October to December 1980 edition) and later collected in his book Dokumentasi, published in 2004. The original paper by Sir Richard was written considerably earlier and appeared in the Royal Asiatic Society's Bulletin in 1939. In a 2003 book titled Hukum Kanun, edited by Haji Asri Haji Puteh, the preface to a copy of the Brunei Malay Canons preserved at Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka indicated that the laws or traditions stated in the canons were originally from Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain. There were commonalities between the Malacca and Brunei canons, but there were also notable variances. First of all, the Malacca Canons only contained 27 chapters while the Brunei Canons had 44 chapters.

### Reputation

In the Salasihah, it was noted that the two Sultans' firmness was comparable. Although the Salasilah did not specify what it meant when it spoke of *kekerasan* (firmness), one can assume that both Sultans were able to exercise their authority as the rulers of their respective nations with determinedness. Sultan Muhammad Hassan was praised by the populace in the Salasilah for being bold, just, and friendly to them. Sultan Muhammad Hasan was described by Graham Saunders, citing, "Was in many respects an enlightened ruler, with a broader interest in the world and an interest in theological debate. He impressed the Jesuit, Father Antonio Preira, who was resident in Brunei for some months when caught by the monsoons, with both his tolerance and his knowledge."

## Death

Sultan Muhammad Hasan passed away at Istana Tanjong Cheindana and was buried in Tanjung Chendana (also Tanjong Kindana), Berambang Island in 1598. After his death and burial, he was given the title of **Marhum di Tanjung**. His son the Crown Prince of Brunei, Pengiran Muda Besar 'Abdul Jalilul 'Akbar would succeed him in the throne. As of 2016, only remnants of his original gravestone remains on the site.

## Personal life

Sultan Muhammad Hasan was married four times, first three being Bruneian princesses while the fourth being Putri Sulu, daughter of Sultan Muhammad ul-Halim, Sultan of Sulu. By Putri Brunei, they had a son Sultan Abdul Kahar Jalil ul-Alam. Other issues he had were:

* Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar, 10th Sultan of Brunei
* Sultan Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah, 1st Sultan of Sarawak
* Sultan Muhammad Ali, 12th Sultan of Brunei
* Pangiran di-Gadong Besar
* Sultan Muwallil Wasit I, 9th Sultan of Sulu
* Pangiran Shahbandar Maharaja Laila
* Pangiran Paduka Tuan Haji Matserudin
* Pangiran Ahmad
* Pangiran Siti Nur Alam, consort to Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin
* Pangiran Tuah
* Raja Bonda, consort to Sultan Alauddin Ri'ayat Shah III

## Namesakes

* Sultan Hassan Secondary School, a school in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong District
* Sultan Hassan Primary School, a school in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District