THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ISLAH MOVEMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONALISM AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION IN PRE-INDEPENDENT MALAYSIA
The advent of the Islah movement in Malay Peninsula during the early twentieth century challenged the status quo and the existing political and religious institutions. It created a major controversy and tension between the reformists and those supporting the existing order. Consequently, some Muslims were suspicious of the reformists. This was primarily due to their non-adherence to the Shafi’i school of Islamic law, which was adopted by the majority of Muslims not only in Malay Peninsula, but the Nusantara in general. Amid such controversy, some people overlook and even dismiss the contribution of the reformists. Therefore, this article re-examines both the short and long-term contribution of the Islah movement to Malay society.