Tales and Stories are called”hikayat”. They are rhythmical verses describing historical events, factual or imaginary stories. Whatever they may be, one thing is obvious, that is they always contain religious messages or teachings from Alquran and Hadits (the behaviours and utterances or expressions of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w). The original texts of hikayats are written in Arabic and many did not mention the authors.
The most popular hikayat is “Hikayat Perang Sabih” (The Story of the Holy War). Aceh literature experts have made a comprehensive study on this particular Hikayat and come to the conclusion that the author was Teungku Cik Pante Kulu, a close friend of Tengku Cik Di Tiro. It had played an extremely significant part in inciting the people’s spirits to join the holy war againt the Dutch which took place for 7 decades. It also called a “war poem” recited to stimulate the people’s fighting spirits. It was so effective that the Dutch government banned its recitation in public and confiscated any documents related to the hikayat.
“Hikayat Perang Sabih” contains four stories, they are :
1. The Story of Ainul Mardliyah
2. The Story of the Elephant War
3. The Story of Sa’id Salmy, and
4. The Story of Muhammad Amin.
Some of the characters are fictious, like in The Story of Ainul Mardliyah. It describes an imaginary situation – but still based on Al Quran and Hadits –when the Prophet moved the center of his activities from Mekah to Medinah. The story carries a parable as can be seen in the final part :
All messages have been passed on,
And Allah Knows everything
The story contain examples,
To step up a holy war.
Understand the examples my dear brothers,
And to all youngsters: Listen
Do not be afraid to take part in the war
Oh, ye the noble, the umbrella of the land
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