The Stage of Western Orientalists Scholarly Studies in Islam: A review] Peringkat pendekatan kajian sarjana Orientalis Barat terhadap Islam: Satu analisis

Abstract

Majority of the orientalists adhere to the philosophy of logical empirical positivism, a belief that emphasizes on the total use of mind as a key approach to obtaining accurate scientific facts based on systematic and thorough method of research. This philosophy refuses to prove a fact using sources from the revelation because it is considered irrelevant in historical proof and has created biased and sceptical views about the Malay community in Malaya. This article focuses on the analysis of the orientalist approach in evaluating Islam, as well as the extent to which Islam influenced the lives of the people in Malaya. The author used historiography and comparative methods to analyse the orientalists’ views. The results showed that the orientalist thinking approach in evaluating Islam and its followers especially the Malay community presented a sceptical viewpoint, which has made each of these writings biased on a one-sided judgment and deviated from the historical development of the great Islamic civilization. This false judgement had emerged due to the weakness of the orientalists to understand the Muslims, especially the Malay community due to the European-centric thinking known as Euro-centrism. This thought elevated Europe as a great and civilized nation over other nations, the so-called "ambassador of civilization", and the saviour of all need-to-be civilized nations.