Some Aspects of Syeikh Wan Ali Kutan al-Kalantani's Religious Thought in al-Jawhar al-Mawhub wa Munabbihat al-Qulub

The religious works written in the Jawi script (kitab jawi) are of paramount importance to the inhabitants of the Malay World. These works, which were produced by the Malay religious scholars, reflect the prevailing intellectual tradition of the Malays and the pattern of their religious thought. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the quantity of the kitab jawi has greatly proliferated through the increasing number of the Malay scholars as well as the adaptation of the print technology by the Muslims. In this regard, it is important to note the role and influence of Syeikh Wan Ali Kutan al-Kalantani (d. 1913). His opus entitled al-Jawhar al-Mawhub wa Munabbihat al-Qulub is one of the most extensive commentaries on the hadith produced in the Malay World. It was warmly received by the Malays and used as religious textbook in the Malay Peninsular at that time. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss some aspects of Wan Ali's religious thought in creed, jurisprudence and Sufism as reflected in his work al-Jawhar al-Mawhub. The findings highlight some of the salient features of his religious thought amidst the changing religious scene of Southeast Asian Muslims at that time between traditionalism and modernity.