PERANAN SULTAN DALAM PERKEMBANGAN ISLAM DI NEGERI PAHANG

Abstract

Islam in Malaysia has a unique historical background. The question on howIslam came to Malay Archipelago is still debated and has yet to be explaineddefinitively. Throughout history, many entities have contributed in terms ofhow Islam came to be accepted, spread and practiced, and unltimately attainedofficial status in Malaysia. The role and contribution of royal institutions inspreading and protecting Islam is significant and well documented. This articleanalyses the role of the Pahang sultanate in spreading Islam in that state. Itreviews that role from different viewpoints, such as relations between the Sultanand Islamic scholars (ulama), the Hukum Kanun Pahang (Canonical Lawof Pahang), the role of Sultan as defined in the state constitution, and hiscontributions to the maintenance of Islam in the Malay Archipelago.Keywords: The Sultanate of Pahang, the spreading of Islam, ulama’, the Lawof Pahang.