The Malay World within Islamic Civilization: The Need for High Culture

Assalamualaikum and May Peace Be Upon You... most of my articles thus far have been in Malay, but today I am writing in English, in relation to the topic. On 26 February 2018, I attended a lecture by Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, President of IIUM and Socio-Cultural Advisor to the Government of Malaysia at the Interntional Institute of Islamic Civilization & Malay World (ISTAC) in Kuala Lumpur. I was invited by a colleague of mine and we went there with a couple of our friends, including Merah Silu and his lovely wife. We were all attired in traditional busana.

In his one-hour-plus lecture, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim took us on a guided tour over the times, from pre-history to the modern age with regards to the Malay World and Islamic society in general. An interesting point that I would like to reiterate here is his call for Muslims (especially Malays) to become inventors again, and in such citing names such as Al-Khwarizmi and Ibnu Sinna, who were pioneers of Mathematics and Medical Sciences in the past.

In fact the Malays were great inventors and pioneers, especially in the field of maritime technology. This is evident in the socio-cultural and archaeological findings around the world. A keris found in Japan, Malay-speaking people in Madagascar, mDNA research findings and classical texts and various accounts from foreign sources make up the plethora of information on the distribution of the Malay peoples.

Another significant Malay invention is the keris. This relatively short weapon has no equal (in shape and design) in other parts of the world. It is a functional weapon, and also a symbol of the Malay people and their adherence to the teachings of Islam. There are practically hundreds of patterns of keris, but all have a common theme. It is primarily a thrusting weapon, designed to cause a somewhat fatalwound to the attacker. But it is also a gentlemanly weapon. One who is truly adept at wielding the keris will know how to cause superficial wounds - warning shots if you may - and inflict killing strikes with this weapon if need be.

Sadly, this weapon is gradually being forgotten by its own people. Ask a youngster or even a typical Malay layman, what a keris is, and I bet not even half of them know exactly what they are talking about. Ask them if they have one in their possession, and this number will fall more drastically. Some may even claim that their father or grandfather had one, but they threw it into the river or sea at the advise of some ustaz or other, saying that the weapon is possessed and is not to be kept for fear of the Jinn disturbing the household... which in a sense may be true, if you firmly believe that these supernatural beings are more powerful than God! Na'uzubillah...

Now, let's get back on the topic. Dr Rais mentioned that Malays should start inventing again... such is the concept of ilmu or knowledge. It continuously expands and new discoveries should be made at every turn. Allah mentioned in the Qur'an, in surah Al-Kahfi verse 109,

"Say: 'If the ocean were ink (wherewith to write out) the words of my Lord, sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if we added another ocean like it, for its aid.'"

As such, the search for knowledge is one thing, but its dissemination is another. In the past, knowledge has been shared relatively more freely than now. In some institutions, members of the general public is allowed into lecture halls to listen to talks and classes given by teachers and professors. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Some colleges, universities and institutions of higher learning do not allow members of the public access to the lectures and talks given, as such confining the knowledge to the select few. This capitalistic approach towards knowledge is essentially stunting the growth of High Culture.

Foreign intervention also did its part in virtually paralyzing the knowledge-based institution of the Malay peoples. They were taught that they are inferior to Western civilization and ethics, and that their ways are archaic and out-of-fashion. It was against that notion that some of us decided to attend a formal lecture by a prominent speaker at an institution of higher learning dressed in our finest busana, with tanjak on our heads and keris tucked in our sampin. This was the lounge suit of the Malays, and it should be allowed as an option at formal events such as this. If other cultures are allowed to dress in their traditional attire during formal functions and state events, why not us?

In closing, the lecture given by Dr Rais Yatim was - to me - a mind-opener, a starting line to get the Malays up and running again. The re-cultivation of Malay High Culture should also be a key point in the Malaysian Government's TN50 initiative, which aims to guide our country to become one of the best nations in the world in 30 years' time. Nonetheless, all this will come to nought without the inclusion and practice of a High Culture. AlhamduLillah, our presence attired in busana were warmly received and appreciated, and I hope that this continue to eventually become a norm in our modern society, together with the concept of disseminating knowledge to those who wish to have access to it as all knowledge belongs to Allah, and it is to Him that all of us shall return.

Wabillahi taufiq wal hidayah...