Islam-Javanese Acculturation in Local Islamic Architecture: A Historical Study of Jami’ Imam Pura Mosque in Ponorogo

Abstract

This study examines the existence of Jami’ Imam Pura Mosque in Sukosari, Babadan, Ponorogo, as a representation of local Islamic culture and architecture that reflects the harmony between Islamic teachings and Javanese traditions. This research employs a qualitative-historical approach with a focus on cultural studies, religious architecture, and religious symbolism. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with K. H. Maksum as the caretaker of the mosque, architectural observations of the building, and literature reviews of historical manuscripts related to Islam in Ponorogo. The findings reveal that Imam Pura Mosque functions not only as a place of worship but also as a social space, an educational center, and a symbol of Javanese-Islamic acculturation. Its architectural features, including the limasan structure, the four soko guru pillars, and the tiered roof, reflect the values of tawhid (Islamic monotheism) and cosmological balance integrated with Javanese cultural philosophy. The mosque serves as concrete evidence of how Islam in Ponorogo was disseminated through cultural and aesthetic approaches rather than through dogmatic confrontation. This study reinforces that the Islamization process in Ponorogo was cultural in nature, applying the principle of al-muhafadzah ‘ala al-qadim as-shalih wa al-akhdzu bi al-jadid al-ashlah (preserving valuable old traditions while adopting better new values). Through the preservation of the religious architecture of Imam Pura Mosque, it can be understood that Javanese Islam is a religion that lives within culture, not outside of it.

Penelitian ini mengkaji keberadaan Masjid Jami’ Imam Pura di Sukosari, Babadan, Ponorogo, sebagai representasi budaya dan arsitektur Islam lokal yang merefleksikan harmoni antara ajaran Islam dan tradisi Jawa. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif-historis dengan fokus pada kajian budaya, arsitektur religius, dan simbolisme keagamaan. Sumber data diperoleh melalui wawancara mendalam dengan K. H. Maksum selaku pengasuh masjid, observasi arsitektur bangunan, dan telaah pustaka terhadap naskah-naskah sejarah Islam di Ponorogo. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Masjid Imam Pura tidak hanya berfungsi sebagai tempat ibadah, tetapi juga sebagai ruang sosial, pusat pendidikan, dan simbol akulturasi Islam Jawa. Bentuk arsitektur limasan, empat soko guru, dan atap bertingkat mencerminkan nilai-nilai tauhid dan keseimbangan kosmologis yang dipadukan dengan filosofi budaya Jawa. Masjid ini menjadi bukti konkret bagaimana Islam di Ponorogo disebarkan melalui pendekatan budaya dan estetika, bukan melalui konfrontasi dogmatis. Penelitian ini mempertegas bahwa Islamisasi di Ponorogo bersifat kultural menerapkan prinsip al-muhafadzah ‘ala al-qadim as-shalih wa al-akhdzu bi al-jadid al-ashlah (mempertahankan nilai lama yang baik dan mengambil hal baru yang lebih baik). Melalui pelestarian arsitektur religius Masjid Imam Pura, dapat dipahami bahwa Islam Jawa adalah agama yang hidup dalam budaya, bukan di luar budaya.