Malik ul Salih

Who is Malik ul Salih?

Malik ul Salih established the first Muslim state of Samudera Pasai in the year 1267. His original name was Mara Silu, Merah Silu, or Muerah Silu. It was said he saw an ant as big as a cat, he caught it and ate it. He named the place Samudera, meaning ocean in Sanskrit. King Mara Silu later converted to Islam, given an Ayyubid name of Malik Al-Salih. He married neighbour Perlak Kingdom's daughter and had two sons. According to Hikayat Raja-raja Pasai, he met Muhammad in dream thus accepts conversion of Islam. Another source claimed a prince Malik from Aceh sailed across the sea to Beruas and established a sultanate there.