Ibrahim's origin is unclear, although it is generally agreed that he originated from outside of Java. He is thought to have been born in the first half of the 14th century. Ibrahim is known by several names in the
Babad Tanah Jawi and other texts. In a transcription by J. J. Meinsma, he is identified as Makhdum Ibrahim as-Samarqandy (localised to Syekh Ibrahim Asmarakandi); this name indicates a possible origin from
Samarkand in modern-day Uzbekistan. However, other sources have suggested that Asmarakandi came to Java in the 16th century and is buried in
Tuban Regency, making him a different person. Meanwhile, according to
Babad Tjerbon, Malik Ibrahim originated from
Tyuleny Archipelago, north-eastern
Caspian Sea. The most generally accepted history, supported by a reading by
J. P. Moquette of the inscription at Ibrahim's grave, identifies him as having come from
Kashan, Persia (modern-day Iran). Dutch writer and researcher
Martin van Bruinessen describes Jumadil Kubra, Malik Ibrahim among all their students are followers of
Kubrawiyyah . Malik Ibrahim was born in Kashan, Syekh Jumadil Qubro and Malik Ibrahim are disciples of
Kubrowi Shafi'i school of Jurist Master Mir Sayid Ali Shafi Hamadani (died 1384), of
Hamadan in
Persia. Malik Ibrahim belonged to syed and highly educated family in Kashan, his grand grandfather migrated from Samarkand to Kashan, that is why their family also known as Samarkandi. Ibrahim came to Java with his father, Syekh Jumadil Qubro or Kubro, and his brother Maulana Ishaq, from
Persia. According to this version, Qubro stayed in Java while his sons went abroad for
dakwah: Ibrahim went to
Champa (in modern-day
Vietnam), while his brother went to
Pasai in northern
Sumatra. In his 13 years in Champa, Ibrahim provided healthcare and taught farmers more efficient ways to grow crops. He also married one of the king's daughters, whose name has been Indonesianised as Dewi Candrawulan, and had two sons. Their name are Ali Rahmatullah (later known as
Sunan Ampel) and Ali Murtadha. When he felt that he had converted enough people to Islam, Ibrahim returned to Java without his family. Ibrahim landed at Sembalo, Learn, Manyar ( north of modern-day
Gresik) in the late 14th century, where he became acquainted with the local
people. He began trading out of the harbour, dealing equally with people from different
castes - social strata based in the dominant Hindu religion. By doing so, Ibrahim found popular support from the lower castes, which led to numerous conversions. He also continued his work from Champa, teaching the locals ways to improve harvests and treating the ill. Through his trading, Ibrahim became acquainted with the ruling class and nobles. After journeying to
Trowulan to meet the king of
Majapahit, he was granted a landing on the outskirts of Gresik which was used for preaching; Ibrahim also founded an
Islamic boarding school there.A legend associated with Ibrahim is that one day, while travelling, he came across a young woman about to be
sacrificed to the gods in order to end a long-standing drought. After stopping a group of men from stabbing the woman, Ibrahim
prayed for rain; when his prayers were answered, the group he had faced converted to Islam. Ibrahim died on 12
Rabi' al-Awwal, 822
Hijri (7 April 1419 on the
Julian calendar). He was buried in Gapura village,
Gresik,
East Java. == Tomb ==