The Thoughts of Abdurrahman Wahid and Walisongo

Raden Rahmat or Sunan Ampel (died around 1406 AD) is told in the Babad Tanah Jawi to teach the life of zuhud by conducting riyaah strictly to the public. The description of spiritual practices carried out by Sunan Ampel as follows:   Ora dhahar ora bolster / anyegah ing eve / ora sare ing wengine / ngibadah maring Prince / fardhu circumcision tan katinggal / sarwa prevent haram makruh / tawajuhe muji ing Allah // Do not eat not sleep, prevent lust / not sleep at night to worship God / fardhu and the sunnah do not miss / and prevent the unclean or makruh / tawajuh praising Allah //.

Even in a statement in the Babad Tanah Jawi manuscript of Drajat, Sunan Ampel teaches Sufism with mysticism according to the teachings of the Naqshabandiyah order. Meanwhile, Sunan Giri in carrying out Islamic da'wah in the midst of the community put more emphasis on education. He is one of the trustees who developed the pesantren system which was later followed by almost all levels of Indonesian society. In delivering Islamic da'wah, Sunan Giri always delivered in soft ways by following the teachings of Islam which were accepted as fairness.

The point of propagation developed basically is to instill noble character education to the community. Sunan Bonang is known as a Sufism teacher who is believed to have sacred powers as is usually a wali. A primbon manuscript from Tuban, according to Schrieke in Het Boek Van Bonang (1916) is the writing of Sunan Bonang himself, is a free summary of the Book of Iy'' Ulm al-Dn by al-Ghazl and the Book of al-Tamh F Bayn al-Tawd by Abu Syakur bin Syu'aib al-Kasi al-Hanafi al-Salimi. Sunan Kalijaga is known as a spiritual teacher who teaches the Syattariyah order from Sunan Bonang as well as the Akmaliyah order from Syekh Siti Jenar. P. tarekat lessons in the form of spiritual practice called mujahadah, muqarabah, and musyaadah are wisely conveyed by Sunan Kalijaga, both secretly given to spiritual students as is the process of learning in a tarekat.

Meanwhile, lessons delivered openly were carried out through esoteric reading of symbolic stories in puppet performances, so that it became a special charm for the public to enjoy puppet performances held by Sunan Kalijaga. Sunan Drajat is known as a propagator of Islam with high social spirit and very concerned about the fate of the poor and prioritizes the achievement of social welfare. After giving full attention, Sunan Drajat gave an understanding of Islamic teachings. His teachings emphasize more on empathy and a hard work ethic of generosity, poverty alleviation, efforts to create prosperity, social solidarity, and mutual cooperation.