THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO: A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE SHIA

Shi’ah refers to the followers of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (k.w) and the thoughts of (almadhhab) a name that has existed a long time in the development of Islamic history. However, in the context of the Malay world, the Nusantara or South-east Asia, the studies on this are rather new and lack depth, although data and evidence can be found in most study locations. The developments in the Islamic world from the early days till now continue to attract the interest of researchers from within and without, especially since it is the focus of the study of both believers and non-believers. At the same time it continues to leave the influence and effects that can be seen till today. This study aims to identify the developments of the thoughts of (al-madhhab) in the Islamic world from the early days till now, its effect on Islamic thinking and the effects it leaves behind. Introduction This study aims to examine the development of the Shia thinking in South-east Asia in particular and the Islamic world in general. The actual objective is to examine, and to study the history of the development of this subject from the early days of its commencement till the stage where they establish a foothold on some areas and situations, and leaves a strong influence and effect to this day. In addition, studies on the subject are really never done or the subject is not preferred to be studied because of factors like politics, religion, religious sects, ardent allegiance to leaders or existing sects, unreadiness or lack of open mindedness or vision. Furthermore, this subject is generally seen as a deviant teaching especially to Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah, although it might not be to Islam generally. This is because any thinking, either Ahl alSunnah wa al-Jama‘ah or Shia, are both the product of Islam’s long history. Both are 1 Dr Wan Zailan Kamaruddin Wan Ali, currently hold the post as the Deputy Director of Higher Degree Division, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya. He is also an Associate Professor, and his specialization and expertise is in Islamic Thought.