The shackles of Malay Muslim thinking in Malaya (Tanah Melayu): The role of Qalam magazine before independence (1950-1957)

• Main Authors: Mohd Sharif, Mohd Shahrul Azha, Mohd Noor, Arba'iyah, Abdullah, Mohd Firdaus
• Format: Article
• Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: BL Religion
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/35194/

Malay culture and Islam are strongly integrated, whereby Islam has, since its arrival, influenced the Malay way of thinking, morality, behavior, belief and faith. However, daily practices, which did not conform to true Islamic teachings, caused the Malay community to regress. This study analyzed the issue of regression faced by the Malay Muslim community in the mid-20th century, while identifying the role of Qalam, an Islamic magazine, in shaping the minds of the Malay community to prepare them for modernization before independence. A qualitative historical analysis and interpretation was conducted on the contents of Qalam magazine as the main reference and various other sources from the National Archives of Malaysia and the University of Malaya Library. Qalam had undoubtedly raised the voice of modernization and change among the Malays to move forward in line with increasing rapid development. Qalam had not only built a sense of social awareness and responsibility in the Malay community but also clarified the importance of changing their mindset towards the beliefs and traditional practices such as blind acceptance of predestination and superstitions which hinder the progress of the Malays. Qalam advocated the role of the ulama in leading and molding the minds of the Malay community to realistically and diligently face the challenges of modernity. Hence, the Malays must be aware of their own weaknesses, particularly, on the importance of reasoning, in order for them to overcome the state of stagnation and backwardness of knowledge and strive towards building excellence in the true Islamic way.