KEBAJIKAN SOSIAL MASYARAKAT MELAYU-ISLAM TERENGGANU BERDASARKAN NASKHAH ITQAN AL-MULUK BI TA’DIL AL-SULUK, 1881-1918

Abstract

This article examines the social welfare system of a traditional community in Malaysia. The analysis focuses on the implementation of selected social welfare components practiced during the middle in 19th century and early 20th century by the Malay-Muslim community in Terengganu, with special reference to the Itqan Al-Muluk BiTa’dil Al-Suluk (hereinafter referred to as PT191). Itqan Al-Muluk Bi Ta’dil Al-Suluk was the Constitution of Terengganu enacted in 1911 in the reign of Sultan Zainal Abidin III (1881-1918). One of theimportant findings from the content analysis of the customary Malay Digest the existence of a formal social welfare structure and mechanism established in the Islamic Sharia legal system of the state even though the components were not up to the modern welfare system standards and practices. The findings prove that a social welfare institution was established by a traditional Malay-Muslim kingdom or state to guarantee communal well-being.