The history of Muhammadiyah in West Java reveals a close collaboration between ulama and entrepreneurs that shaped a resilient socio-religious movement. This synergy began in the early 20th century through figures like Haji Mas Djamhari and continued to the 1965 Congress in Bandung. The partnership created a self-sustaining mutual symbiosis.
West Java, or Tatar Parahyangan, has unique characteristics with a majority Sunda ethnicity. In this region, Muhammadiyah developed through strong connections between religious scholars and entrepreneurs, differing from other parts of Indonesia.
The growth began with interactions between Haji Mas (HM) Djamhari, a batik entrepreneur in Garut, and Muhammadiyah founder KH Ahmad Dahlan and Haji Fachrodin. All three were active in Islamic propagation and initiated the organization named Al Hidayah. In 1921, after Dutch colonial permission, it was officially named Muhammadiyah.
Entrepreneurs played a central role in funding, especially the Kancana family from Singaparna-Tasikmalaya. They financed mosques, pesantren, schools, orphanages, and dakwah activities, transforming economic capital into social-spiritual capital.
Meanwhile, ulama such as KH Iping Zaenal Abidin, KH Hambali Ahmad, KH EZ Muttaqien, KH Taufik Ali, and KH Miskun from Garut preserved the purity of Muhammadiyah's ideology. They focused on purifying tawhid and rejecting superstition, innovation, and myths (TBC), while living simply as exemplars.
This collaboration peaked at the 1965 Congress in Bandung, amid the political dynamics of the Sukarno era. Muhammadiyah West Java hosted it, with strategic efforts to ensure Sukarno's attendance and award him the Bintang Emas Muhammadiyah—the first such honor.
This historical legacy serves as a lesson for current generations to maintain the spirit of Muhammadiyah's struggle amid modern challenges, through adaptation and sacrifice for the community's advancement.