The Origins of Safarwadi Cave: A Tale from the 17th Century
The story of Safarwadi Cave begins in the 17th century, a time when the lush landscapes of West Java were alive with the spread of Islam. In the quiet hills of Tasikmalaya , a young scholar named Sheikh Abdul Muhyi emerged as one of the most influential figures of his time. Born around 1640-1650 AD, Sheikh Abdul Muhyi was destined to leave a lasting mark on the spiritual and cultural fabric of Indonesia. From an early age, Sheikh Abdul Muhyi displayed an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His journey took him far from his homeland—to Aceh, the center of Islamic learning in Indonesia, and later to Mecca itself, where he deepened his understanding of Islam and immersed himself in the teachings of Sufism. It was during these travels that he became affiliated with the Syattariyah Sufi order, a mystical branch of Islam that emphasized inner peace, meditation, and the unity of existence (*wahdatul wujud*). A Spiritual Refuge in West Java After years of study an...