The People of Saba' and the Nusantara: A Call to Re-examine a Hidden Legacy

We were always taught that the People of Saba’ originated from Yemen or Jordan, based on classical tafsir references and past archaeological findings. But what if we suggest that this assumption needs to be re-examined? What if, with modern discoveries and a broader understanding of the Qur’an, we come to find that the People of Saba’ were in fact located in the Nusantara?

The Narrative Structure in Surah Saba’ – A Hidden Signal

In Surah Saba’, Allah arranges the narrative beginning with Prophet Dawud AS, followed by Prophet Sulaiman AS, and then the story of the People of Saba’. This is no coincidence. All three are closely tied to power, natural wealth, mastery of metals and iron, and connection with the universe. This is a glimpse of a great civilisation. If we study closely, many of the characteristics mentioned match the nature and history of the Nusantara, rather than the Arab lands alone.

Sungai Batu – The Buried Trail of Iron

The discovery of the ancient Sungai Batu civilisation in Kedah, which has been recognised by international experts as one of the oldest civilisations in the world, reveals an extraordinary ancient iron industry. In the Qur’an, iron is not an ordinary material—it is mentioned specifically in the context of Prophet Dawud and the concept of caliphate.

Combine this with the description of the People of Saba’ who possessed fertile gardens, diverse flora and fauna, wealth in gold and jewels, and were located within an island region—do these not better reflect the Nusantara?

From Mainland to Archipelago: The Geological Trail That Formed the Nusa

Surah Saba’ mentions that the people were afflicted by a flood that destroyed their gardens on the left and right—indicating the existence of a great river system. Then came changes in altitude, lush trees were replaced with cypress, and their region transformed into an archipelago. This is what we now know as the Nusantara.

This shift in terrain represents not only physical destruction, but also social and spiritual separation. Yet, Allah saved the remaining faithful from the Hanif tradition, and they inherited this region—awaiting the moment to rise once more.

Saba’ and Us: A Legacy Awaiting Revival

Some of us living in the Nusantara today may in fact be descendants of the survivors of the People of Saba’. They were originally followers of the Hanif religion, the faith of Prophet Ibrahim AS who upheld pure monotheism. When Islam arrived, they did not receive it as a new religion, but as a continuation of their ancestral legacy.

Allah had given equal opportunity to all major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Hanif—to embrace Islam. Now, it is our turn to determine our place in this historical cycle. Will we repeat the same mistakes? Or will we rise to continue the final caliphate?

The End Times Begin in the East

This writing is not mere speculation—it is an early call. If it is true that the People of Saba’ once inhabited this land, then the grand narrative of the end times will also begin from here. From this very soil shall rise the Black Banners from the East. But before that, we will be tested—crushed, refined, sifted stage by stage. Only those who are truly faithful will endure.

And as mentioned in Surah Saba’, verse 9 — never belittle those who deliver such warnings, for the consequence is no small matter. It may descend from the sky, the mountains, or the sea. All at once.

We will continue this discussion in the upcoming series, with deeper exploration:

If you want to know who we truly are, don’t miss the upcoming parts of this series. We will uncover the ancient trail that awaits revival.

We are not just inhabitants of the Nusantara. We may be the last remnants of the People of Saba’.