Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas’s Perspective on the Interpretation of Islamic Historical Sources in the Malay World

Abstract

The study of the Islamic history of the Malay world is related to the study of its historical sources. Nevertheless, researchers must enhance their comprehension of the study of historical sources, particularly in interpreting them. It is a matter of concern because most Jawi (ie. Malay-Islamic) texts and manuscripts contain knowledge that requires profound religious comprehension, particularly knowledge of divinity, tasawwuf, fiqh, and other Islamic knowledge. This textual analysis will, therefore, concentrate on the historical study of Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas based on his selected works. His perspective on the significance of Islamic knowledge and thought with arguments related to the matter will be explained. Also, his mastery of various fields of knowledge, including tasawwuf and Western philosophy, has enabled him to identify any confusion or errors made by orientalists in their interpretation of Islamic history as well as to dispel criticism regarding his authority as a leading contemporary Islamic scholar.