MENILAI KEMBALI FAHAM “BUDI” MELALUI BACAAN TEKS-TEKS MANUSKRIP MELAYU HINGGA KURUN KE–18: SUATU PENELITIAN AWAL

Abstract

The article is a preliminary study on the concept of Malay “budi” based on the “language” used by many authors of Malay manuscipts prior to the 18th century. It attempts to clarify the impact of the worldview of Islam on the choice of keywords, formation of compounds and articulation of ideas involving the word “budi” and its network. Some main contentions made by Lim Kim Hui in his PhD dissertation (2003), a pioneering analysis on “budi” based on the Malay proverbs, shall be critically reevaluated with the hope of adding more spectrum and breadth to the present understanding on the conception of “budi.” Hence, it will further enhance the integration and perfection of the old “budi” into the worldview of Islam as practised by the Malays. This would indirectly highlight the true nature and extent of Islamisation, the role of ʿulamāʾ and kitāb tradition in strengthening and perfecting the Malays with a comprehensive understanding of “budi” projecting their new worldview. The article resolves linguistically and etymologically the choice of words, formation of compounds and structure of language used by these authors of early Malay manuscripts which were consciously planned and fashioned to be in line with the prevalent Islamic ethos regarding the nature of man and his character. In short, this article shall shed some light on the nature of Islamisation of the Malay world, especially the way it was carried out through its effective Islamisation of language.