Muhammad Hasan of Brunei

Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal[1] (died c. 1598), posthumously known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598.

[2][3] During his reign, the Bruneian Empire had full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.

He gave the order for Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela to launch an assault on Milau, a Kelabitic clan, in Sarawak.

[10] 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.

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.

Forty days after Muhammad Hasan's death, Abdul Jalilul Akbar was crowned as the next sultan following the playing of the nobat.

In 1578, the Sulu Archipelago was taken by Don Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa, leading to the surrender of the Brunei Adipati, Raja Iro (or Ilo), who was Saiful Rijal's brother-in-law.

By the end of that year, Raja Iro and his followers had returned to Brunei, and Sulu became an encomienda entrusted to Don Pedro de Oseguera and his son.

Additionally, the Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei notes that Raja Tengah, Sultan Hasan's second son, was appointed to govern Sambas.

Teun A. van Dijk also mentions that in 1609, Adipati Tengah of Sambas revolted against Brunei, seeking assistance from the Dutch, which resulted in disastrous consequences in 1612.

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.

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.

He kept two palaces decked up in royal trappings, and the Sumbu Layang, a recognisable emblem of monarchy, was used to decorate his ceremonial hall, the Lapau.