Islamic education in Malaysia: Analysing the significance of appreciating the Shafi’i school

Colonial powers in Malayan history were driven not only by their economic, military and political aspirations but also the religious mission of converting Malays from Islam into Chrictianity. Islamic education in Malaysia has always been influenced and shaped by a deference to the fiqh of the Shafi i school making the school the most predominant guide in the Malays’ overall religious belief and practices. This qualitative study examined the crucial factors that had resulted in the pivotal role and appreciation of the Shafi i school in Malaysia’s Islamic education. The findings revealed that historical factors, the role of religious authorities, and socio-cultural life of the Muslim community in Malaysia were among the key factors contributing to the leading role of the Shafi i school in Malaysia’s Islamic education.