The Historical Evolution of Qur'anic Studies in Malaysia: From the Writing of the Mushaf to Tafsir in Social, Cultural, and Political Contexts

Abstract

The study examines the historical development, contemporary dynamics, and socio-cultural implications of Qur'anic studies among Malaysian Muslims. Despite its significance for national identity formation, it remains under-examined in comprehensive scholarly surveys. The research adopts an integrative approach that simultaneously maps the chronological evolution of Qur'anic scholarship from the 14th-century Malay Sultanates to the present. It analyses the reciprocal influence between Qur'anic discourse and Malaysian social, cultural, and political structures. A descriptive-analytical method was employed, drawing on archival documents, classical Malay manuscripts, colonial records, and recent academic publications. An interdisciplinary lens, integrating historiography, sociology of knowledge, and textual analysis, ensured methodological rigour. Qualitative content analysis and historiographical triangulation constructed a multi-layered narrative. Findings reveal that Qur'anic studies in Malaysia have continuously adapted to shifting intellectual currents, incorporating indigenous interpretive traditions, the imprint of Islamic civilization, and Western academic paradigms since the 19th century. This adaptation has further facilitated the exchange of exegetical ideas through regional scholarly networks. The Qur'an has functioned not only as a religious text but also as a discursive tool that shapes language policy, educational curricula, and public morality, thereby profoundly influencing nation‑building processes. Furthermore, the study concludes that recognizing Qur'anic scholarship's historical depth and dynamic character is essential for informed policy‑making and advancing a pluralistic vision of Malaysian cultural development.