Religions and Beliefs/ Contents

The administration of Islam and Islamic law

Abdul Samat bin Musa

The Malay sultanates were largely governed by syariah, or Islamic law, and Malay customs. British adminstration changed the face of the legal system by curtailing the application of syariah in the Malay states and creating two separate systems. At Independence, the administration of Islam and Islamic law was governed by the Federal Constitution of Malaya (now Malaysia). The status of syariah courts has now been generally upgraded compared to their position before Independence.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Islam and Islamic law in Malaysia
  • Administration of Islamic law
Hukum Kanun Melaka

Hukum Kanun Melaka (Melaka Legal Digest), produced during the 15th century, was probably the first constitution which followed Islamic law.