Examining the Role of ‘ulamā in the Islamization Process of the Malay World

Abstract

Abstract: This article analyses the roles of ‘ulamā’ in propagating the message
of Islam in the Malay world. Islam managed to reach many corners of the Malay
world in the 17th century. Evidence has indicated that ‘ulamā’ were among
those who had participated actively in propagating the messages of Islam to
the local people. Classical Malay texts served as the best available records to
understand the roles of these ‘ulamā’ at that time. Hence, analysis are made on
selected classical Malay texts in order to understand the actual roles played by
the ‘ulamā’ in the Malay world at that time in transforming the understanding
of the local Malay people from the beliefs in Hindu-Buddhist and animism to
Islam. Three significant roles of the ‘ulamā’ at that time have been identified
namely propagating knowledge to the local people, religious advisors to the
rulers as well as engaging with the non-Muslims.