The Malay Religious Concepts

Aninism, Hinduism/Buddhism preceded the coming of Islam in the Malay Peninsula. Today, although nearly all Malays of the Malay Peninsula have become Muslim, the influence of their former beliefs still remains imbued in their character, mixed with the Islamic way of life. One of the theories of the expansion of Hinduism/Buddhism among the Malays could possibly be applied to the spread of Islam, i.e. the subjects followed their kings when the latter embraced a certain faith. In practice, the conversion to Islam without fully knowing its philosophy and teachings means that several types of customs, taboos and superstitions, which have occupied people’ lives from the earliest times, continue to exist, although some of them are incompatible with Islamic teachings. In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. there was an influx of Brahmanist Buddhist missionaries who obtained high positions in the palace. They carried out complex rituals and ceremonies at the court and thus, made the king more supreme and sovereign. Today, although the concepts of supremacy and sverregnty do not dominate, several ceremonies abd rites are still observed for particular functions. Hence, the palace constitutes one of the palaces where several Malay Classical customs are rigidly preserved. In palaces where morden facilities, including the health service, can be obtained only with difficulty, and the role of the tradisional medicinemen ( including midwives ) dominates. Certain adat karut-marut ( confused customs) are still observed. However, even in places where most modern facilities are provided, and there are many educated people, including people learned in the Islamic religion, these types of complicated customs and taboos are still being observed. Malays are veryloyal to their elders. Loyalty is a part of respect. Opposition to any of the traditionalcustoms is to destroy a part ot that respect. This is the way that they have been brought up. According to Malay proverb, “Biar mati anak jangan mati adat”.The previous historical background gave rise to this attiyude, and this attitude has shaped the customs and way of life of the present Malays. In conclusion, the Malays customs and culture in general are drived from various elements, including animism, Hinduism and Buddhism, Islam, those associated with local assimilation, and the west. What is important in this conclusion are the elements which are superstitions, and which would seem to contradict rational thought, as well as the customs and beliefs which contradict Islamic ideology and which from an orthodox standpoint should had been abandoned long ago. Unfortunately, due to several inter-related factors and consequences, some of the confused customs and belief have taken a long time and gone through a lengthy process to be abandoned. Husin/Ipgm/kampus Tun Hussein Onn/ 14/07/2009