Soon, this incident reached Sunan Kudus. In order to maintain the dignity and continuity of the learning process at the school, the teacher considered Saridin to have made a mistake. Saridin was then punished by the teacher to immediately leave the school and never set foot in “holy land” again (red: Kudus in Bahasa Indonesia means holy land). Out of respect for his teacher and Kudus, Saridin never set foot in Kudus again, but instead hid underground, specifically in a toilet or septic tank.
Saridin stayed in that place until one morning when Sunan Kudus’ wife, who was about to relieve herself, was surprised to find something unusual in the waste disposal area. Sunan Kudus’ wife screamed loudly, and the commotion could be heard throughout the school. All the students rushed to chase after the person who caused the disturbance, none other than Saridin. Saridin managed to escape but was now considered a fugitive.
Throughout his journey, Saridin regretted his actions until one day he met his true mentor again, Syekh Malaya. Syekh Malaya (Sunan Kalijaga) stated that Saridin had become too arrogant due to his knowledge. To atone for his mistakes, his true mentor gave Saridin an option: to meditate floating in the Java Sea. Saridin accepted but confessed that he couldn’t swim. Syekh Malaya then wisely tied two coconuts together to support Saridin’s body and prevent him from drowning.
Eventually, after days of meditation on the sea, buffeted by ocean waves, Saridin washed ashore in Palembang, Sumatra Island. There, a new chapter of Saridin’s adventures began, from resolving long-standing conflicts in the Kingdom of Palembang to (allegedly) journeying towards the Middle East.
In fact, there are many other versions of the story of Wali Saridin (Syekh Jangkung). His tomb is located in Desa Landoh, Kecamatan Kayen, Kabupaten Pati. The commemoration of Haul Syekh Jangkung is held every year (in the month of Rajab) with thousands of people paying their respects and seeking blessings. The event is always filled with traditions like opening ceremonies, processions, and grand Islamic teachings.
For the people of Pati, Wali Saridin or Syekh Jangkung is not just known as a religious figure but also as an elder who played a significant role in shaping Pati’s land, practicing the Islamization of the area with his teachings of tasawuf (Sufism), and spiritual enlightenment, which are rich in philosophical values in every aspect of life. Therefore, it’s no surprise that when you meet someone from Pati, they proudly incorporate the name Syekh Jangkung into their identity, like ‘Puthu Saridin’ (Saridin’s grandson), son of Saridin, or even making it the nickname of a football club in Pati, Persipa Pati, known as ‘Laskar Saridin’.
That’s a glimpse of the story of Wali Saridin. Undoubtedly, there are many more stories about him that may have only been written in a few literature pieces, and each of them surely holds uniqueness. Hopefully, writers can continue his story as a form of dedication, both as a writer and as a descendant. Regards to mbalelo!