The story of Wayang Menak is rooted in the classical Islamic epic of Amir Hamzah, a legendary hero whose tale originated in Persia and spread widely throughout the Islamic world from the 9th century. It began as a tale of heroism Qissa-i Amir Hamzah during the Abbasid Dynasty, the story follows the hero's journey from the West to the East of the ancient world—before eventually crossing to India and then to the Nusantara.
“The Spy Zanbur Bringing Mahiyya to the City of Tawariq”, from Akbar Hamzanama | source: wikipedia
The Origins of the Amir Hamzah Story
Wayang Menak is rooted in the epic story of Amir Hamzah—in the Javanese version known as Wong Agung Menak Jayengrana or Sayidina Amir Hamzah. This character is identified with Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muthallib r.a., the uncle of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., who fell in the Battle of Uhud.
The heroic story of Amir Hamzah first developed in the 9th century CE in Iraq, during the Abbasid Dynasty. At that time, Caliph Harun al-Rashid faced a rebel named Hamzah bin Abdullah. The struggles of this figure inspired Persian writers to transform his tale into a heroic literary work titled Qissa-i Emir Hamza.
Transformation in Persian Literature
In this work, Hamzah is portrayed as an Islamic hero full of courage, adventure, and wisdom. Over time, the historical identity of Hamzah bin Abdullah was forgotten, replaced by the spiritual image of Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muthallib, a more widely known Islamic figure.
The Qissa-i Emir Hamza story then evolved into an epic adventure spanning multiple lands—narrating Amir Hamzah’s journey across the kingdoms of Iskandar Zulkarnain, from the far west of the ancient world in Europe to the distant east in China.
Journey to India and the Eastern Islamic World
In the 15th century, the story of Amir Hamzah reached India in the form of oral tradition (dastan). The tale became highly favored by the Mughal kings, who made it an important part of court culture. Its popularity marked the peak of Amir Hamzah’s development in the Eastern Islamic world, before it eventually spread to the Malay world and the Nusantara.
Wayang Menak Iskandar Zulkarnain (Alexander the Great)
Iskandar: The Mighty King Who Conquered the World
In Persian and Javanese traditions, Iskandar Zulkarnain, or Alexander the Great, is known as the mighty king of Ngerum (Europe), son of Prabu Darab (Darius) of Madain (Persia) and Arkiyah, a Roman noblewoman. He is portrayed as a great ruler endowed with strategic intelligence, military strength, and extraordinary wisdom—feared and respected by kings from Europe, Africa, Arabia, Persia, to India.
In Hikayat Iskandar Zulkarnain, Iskandar is described as the most brilliant student of Aristatalis Hakim (Aristotle the Wise), while in Javanese tradition through Serat Iskandar, he is instead depicted as a close friend of Baginda Kilir, or Prophet Khidr, a spiritual figure who guides him on his inner journey and spiritual conquest.
Baginda Kilir: The Eternal Guide of the Noble Path
Kilir, also known as Prophet Khidr, is a mystical figure revered in Islamic and Javanese traditions. He is believed to be an immortal guide who leads humans toward the path of virtue and often appears to help those afflicted by worldly suffering.
In legend, Kilir gained immortality after drinking from the Water of Life, or Ma’ul Hayat, located in the land of darkness called Lulmat or Jaminambar in the Menak tradition. He becomes the spiritual advisor of Iskandar Zulkarnain, symbolizing the connection between worldly power and inner enlightenment.
Kings and Figures from Iskandar’s World
In the Menak version of Iskandar and Hikayatvarious symbolic figures and kingdoms also appear, representing the struggle between virtue and arrogance:
- Ubur, King Jabarsah, a follower of the demon king Prabu Ja-Makjuja (Gog and Magog) from Ngambarkawit (the Edge of the World), who is ultimately defeated by Iskandar.
- Jabarkah, Ubur’s brother, who is subdued by Arhos, a subordinate king under Iskandar.
- Rumiyatil Kubra, the prime minister of King Jabarsah’s kingdom.
- Balminas Hakim, “the Wise Balminas,” the prime minister of Ngerum, who in the version Hikayat is believed to be inspired by Apollonius of Tyana or Parmenio, Alexander’s trusted general.
These stories depict the epic universe of Wayang Menak that transcends the boundaries of history and mythology, where values of leadership, wisdom, and spiritual pursuit merge within the Islamic-Persian tradition, which would later take deep root in Javanese culture.