Arabs Flock to Indonesia in Search of Plant Mentioned in the Qur'an

The camphor plant, mentioned in the Qur’an, was once a commodity that prompted Arab traders to undertake long voyages to the Nusantara. The plant, believed to be Dryobalanops aromatica, does not grow on the Arabian Peninsula, forcing them to seek its source in what is now Indonesia, specifically in Barus, North Sumatra. Archaeologist Edward Mc. Kinnon explained in Ancient Fansur, Aceh’s Atlantis (2013) that trade networks made the Arab world aware that the centre of camphor production was on the island of Sumatra. The Qur’an mentions camphor in Surah Al-Insan, verse 5, which states that the righteous will drink from a cup mixed with kafur. Scholars interpret this kafur as water derived from the camphor plant, not the synthetic camphor commonly known today. The Dryobalanops aromatica plant has a distinctive aroma and has long been used for medicine, fragrances, and as a high-value commodity. The popularity of Barus camphor is well-documented in historical sources. The Arab trader Ibn Al-Faqih noted in 902 AD that Fansur was a producer of camphor, cloves, nutmeg, and sandalwood. In the 13th century, geographer Ibn Sa’id al-Magribi specifically wrote that the best camphor came from the island of Sumatra. As demand increased, Arab traders flocked to Sumatra. Historian Claude Guillot noted in Barus Seribu Tahun yang Lalu (2008) that Arab merchants sailed directly from the Persian Gulf, passing Ceylon or Sri Lanka, before arriving on the west coast of Sumatra. They used large ships to transport the camphor, which commanded high prices on the international market. Guillot also recorded that the reputation of Barus camphor grew to the point where it was considered superior in quality to camphor from Malaya or Kalimantan. This reputation allowed Barus to develop into one of the most important trading ports in Sumatra and the world’s centre for the camphor trade at the time. The influx of Arab traders did not only impact economic activity. Barus also became one of the earliest points for the spread of Islam in the Nusantara. Some Muslim merchants who stopped on their journey to China chose to settle and build communities in the coastal area. This process encouraged Islamisation in several regions, such as Barus (Fansur), Lamri, and Haru. One piece of evidence often linked to the arrival of Islam in the area is the ancient Mahligai tomb complex in Barus, which is believed to hold traces of the early Muslim community. These findings gave rise to one of the theories regarding the entry of Islam into Indonesia, although it remains a subject of debate among historians. Regardless of the debate over the origins of Islam’s spread, the Arab traders in Barus successfully built a trade network connecting the Nusantara with the Arab world. The trade relationship, which began with the search for the camphor plant, helped the region now known as Indonesia gain international recognition centuries ago.