By Nur Diyana

 

NUS Libraries houses a collection of materials relating to early twentieth century Malay intellectual thought, including significant periodicals like Al-Imam and Al-Ikhwan, alongside other works of Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi. Emerging during a period of intellectual ferment in the Malay world with the advent of the printing press, these publications were instrumental in shaping modernist (Kaum Muda¹) discourse, advocating for educational reform, and redefining prevailing norms.  

Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi: A Literary and Reformist Pioneer
Syed Sheikh bin Ahmad Al-Hadi (1867–1934) was a central figure in the modernist movement, not only as a journalist but also as a novelist and educator. His contributions to Malay literature include Hikayat Faridah Hanum, considered the first modern Malay novel, which challenged conservative social norms and introduced new literary forms. His publishing efforts, including newspapers like Saudara, furthered the cause of education and social reform. The Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi collection at NUS Libraries encompasses his literary works, periodicals, and monographs. 

Al-Imam: A Catalyst for Reform
Published between 1906 and 1908 in Singapore, Al-Imam was a pioneering Malay-language reformist periodical inspired by the Egyptian Al-Manar². Founded by Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi and a group of scholars and merchants, Al-Imam sought to reform Malay Muslim society by advocating for education, rationalism, and a reinterpretation of Islam free from traditionalism. It promoted (what was deemed at the time) progressive views on gender, education, and governance, often challenging prevailing norms. The periodical’s reach extended across the Malay Archipelago.  

 

Al-Ikhwan: The Evolution of Reformist Thought
Following the cessation of Al-Imam, Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi continued his reformist agenda through Al-Ikhwan, published in Penang between 1926 and 1930. This periodical built upon the ideological foundations of Al-Imam, expanding discussions on education, social justice, and the role of women in society. Unlike Al-Imam, which had a more theological focus, Al-Ikhwan addressed socio-political concerns and advocated for Malay empowerment through education and literacy. The periodical also served as a platform for emerging Malay intellectuals, reflecting a growing consciousness of national identity and self-determination.  

The collections of Al-Imam, Al-Ikhwan, and the works of Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi at NUS Libraries offer insights into the intellectual and reformist movements of the early 20th-century Malay world. These materials would be useful for students and scholars examining the intersections of Islam, modernity, and Malay identity, among others, underscoring the continued relevance of early 20th-century intellectual movements. 

To read more on Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi’s ideas, please refer to these recommended readings in our holdings: 

Alatas, S., F., (2005). Ideology and utopia in the thought of Syed Shaykh Al-Hady. Dept. of Sociology, National University of Singapore. 

Al-Hadi, S., & Alwi, S., Gordon, A., (1999). The real cry of Syed Shaykh al-Hady. Malaysian Sociological Research Institute. 

Aziz, S. A. (2003). Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi: cendekia dan sasterawan ulung (Vol. 1). Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia. 

Ibrahim, A. (2013). Contemporary Islamic discourse in the Malay-Indonesian world: critical perspectives. SIRD. 

Karim, W.J.B. (2009). Straits Muslims: diasporas of the northern passage of the Straits of Malacca. Straits G.T. 

Hassan, M. M. A., & Ibrahim, M. H. (2019). Syed Syeikh al-Hadi: pembaharu semangat Islam dan sosial (Cetakan pertama). Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. 

Roff, W. R. (1967). The origins of Malay nationalism. University of Malaya Press. 

Seruan islah Syed Shaykh Al-Hady. (2018). Islamic Renaissance Front. 

Zakariya, H. (2017). Colonialism, Society and Reforms in Malaya: A Comparative Evaluation of Shaykh Tahir Jalaluddin and Syed Shaykh Ahmad Al-Hady. Intellectual Discourse, 25, 477–501. 

References

¹ Adibah Yasmin Alias, Mohd Irwan Syazli Saidin and Jamaie Haji Hamil. (2023). Pengaruh Muhammad ‘Abduh terhadap kemunculan fundamentalis-reformis Kaum Muda di Tanah Melayu (1900–1930). KEMANUSIAAN the Asian Journal of Humanities 30(2): 119–141.  

² Azyumardi Azra. (1999). The transmission of Al-Manar’s Reformism to the Malay-Indonesian world: The cases of Al-Imam and Al-Munir. Studia Islamika, 6(3).