Muhammad Hasan of Brunei

Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam (Jawi: ; died 1598), posthumously known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the tenth Sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598. During him reign, the Bruneian Empire had full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.

Reign
Muhammad Hasan became the ninth Sultan of Brunei when he ascended to the throne in 1582. When he was done ruling, Kota Batu had two surrounded, square-shaped palaces. In the Kota Batu administration, palaces, mosques, and educational institutions have been created according to the period to facilitate the sultan's administrative connections with the public. He also created the bridge that connects the island and the stronghold on Pulau Cermin to Tanjong Kindana, also called Tanjong Chendana. Additionally, he designed the bridge connecting Tanjong Kindana, also known as Tanjong Chendana, to the island and the fortress on Pulau Cermin.

Pengiran Di-Gadong and Pengiran Pemancha were the two new Wazirs (Viziers) installed during his reign. In addition, he strongly defended Sunni Islam in the Philippine Islands. His designation as a foreign envoy was modified to Duta (Ambassador). It should be mentioned that the Sultan wrote the book Kanun Brunei. A four-square city with installed guns defended his palace. He gave the order for Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela to launch an assault on Milau, a Kelabitic clan, in Sarawak. Milau surrendered when the rebellion was put down by Bruneian forces.

Brunei-Pahang relations
Chinese chronicles spanning from 1573 to 1619 highlighted the close relationship between the sultanates of Pahang and Brunei. These stories described how a sultan from Brunei defended Pahang against an invasion by Johor and helped the city survive. Due to the married links that were arranged between the royal houses of the two sultanates, the sultan in question was most likely Muhammad Hasan. Another sign of the strong relationship between these two sultanates is the fact that Sultan Abdul Ghafur of Pahang visited and remained in Brunei with his spouse.

Sultan Muhammad Hasan was able to replicate the Malaccan Legal Code into the Pahang Legal Code, despite their close relationship making this possible. Muhammad Hasan was able to replicate the Malaccan Legal Code into the Pahang Legal Code, despite their close relationship making this possible. Nevertheless, this argument is weak because the Brunei Legal Code shares parallels with the Malaccan Code in 21 of its 50 sections.

Sultan Hasan's Canons
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the economy of Brunei was booming and it was the commercial and Islamic center for Borneo and its neighboring countries, the Philippine and Java islands. Around the same period, the sultanates of Aceh and Brunei both reached a state of success. In the Salasilah Raja–Raja Brunei, Muhammad Hasan and the succeeding Sultan Iskandar Muda were compared. The Adat (Royal Customs), were a priority for both Sultans.

One of Muhammad Hasan's greatest accomplishments was a body of legislation known as the canons. The rules were quite contemporary and covered practically every aspect, including royal etiquette. For example, Chapter 33 addressed matters pertaining to debt, while Chapter 34 addressed matters pertaining to bankruptcy. The laws also covered a wide range of other aspects of everyday life and matters impacting the welfare of the public, including commerce, interest payments, defamation, theft, burglary, and murder.

Reputation
It was mentioned in the Salasilah Raja–Raja Brunei that the two Sultans' levels of firmness were similar. When the Salasilah refers to kekerasan (firmness), it does not explain exactly, but it is reasonable to believe that both Sultans were able to use their determination as the head of state of their respective countries. The people of Salasilah hailed Sultan Muhammad Hassan for his boldness, justice, and friendliness toward them. Graham Saunders wrote, "Was in many respects an enlightened ruler, with a broader interest in the world and an interest in theological debate." to characterise Muhammad Hasan. Father Antonio Preira, a Jesuit who spent several months in Brunei due to the monsoon, was struck by him for his intelligence and his patience."

Death


Muhammad Hasan passed away at Istana Tanjong Cheindana and was buried in Tanjung Chendana (also Tanjong Kindana), Berambang Island in 1598. After his death and burial, he was given the title of Marhum di Tanjung. His son the Crown Prince of Brunei, Pengiran Muda Besar 'Abdul Jalilul 'Akbar would succeed him in the throne. As of 2016, only remnants of his original gravestone remains on the site.

Personal life
Sultan Muhammad Hasan was married four times, first three being Bruneian princesses while the fourth being Putri Sulu, daughter of Sultan Muhammad ul-Halim, Sultan of Sulu. By Putri Brunei, they had a son Sultan Abdul Kahar Jalil ul-Alam. Other issues he had were:


 * Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar, 10th Sultan of Brunei
 * Sultan Ibrahim Ali Omar Shah, 1st Sultan of Sarawak
 * Sultan Muhammad Ali, 12th Sultan of Brunei
 * Pangiran di-Gadong Besar
 * Sultan Muwallil Wasit I, 9th Sultan of Sulu
 * Pangiran Shahbandar Maharaja Laila
 * Pangiran Paduka Tuan Haji Matserudin
 * Pangiran Ahmad
 * Pangiran Siti Nur Alam, consort to Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin
 * Pangiran Tuah
 * Raja Bonda, consort to Sultan Alauddin Ri'ayat Shah III

Namesakes

 * Sultan Hassan Secondary School, a school in Kampong Batu Apoi, Temburong District
 * Sultan Hassan Primary School, a school in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District