Understanding Malay Islam

By admin-s Last updated Jun 24, 2014

A perceived threat onto Islam in peninsular Malaysia directly translates into a perceived threat to Malays.

Mikhail Rosli, MMO

Of late, there is a feeling of bewilderment among many people as to how the word “Allah” came to be more sacred in Peninsula Malaysia than in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, both Christian and Muslim Arabs share the word “Allah” to mean God. This fact is often used as a justification for claiming the intellectual and moral high ground in the debate. And a great majority agree with this sentiment.

But to commit to the argument would entail overlooking key issues in modern Islam. It struggles with some key themes, particularly, the role and position of culture in the practice of religion.

Islam, claiming to be the religion of all mankind, has yet to answer serious questions like Should a “true Islam” be blind towards earthly culture and discourage it? Does Islam have its own culture? And Is Islam practised better in certain types of culture?

In Peninsula Malaysia, we’ve encountered a clash because we have not been able to answer some of these questions. Peninsula Malays practise a Malay Islam, where we’ve infused a tint of general Malay insecurity or Malay siege mentality into its practice.

The origin of Malay Islam can be traced to the early Malay experience of Islam. The influence of Islam then has been so intense as to become one of the central components of the identity of the Malays.

This is primarily because Islam is a religion with strong reach in the lives of its followers. Its reach extends to a legal system, social structure and ethics. So, followers tend to see their whole lives affected.

The effect has also been long lasting, even in our contemporary history, ie. a Malay is defined as a Muslim among other things. This merger of racial and religious identity is important to note, as it characterises the anxiety and zealousness of the Peninsula Muslims.

Also important is its transitivity. A perceived threat onto Islam in peninsular Malaysia directly translates into a perceived threat to Malays.

Now, we’re left asking, which gets higher priority, culture or theology?