Sheikh Abdullah Basmeih and His Involvement in the Field of Knowledge

Abstract

The involvement of Malay scholars from Malaysia in the field of Qur’anic interpretation is relatively limited compared to scholars from the Arab world, Turkey, India, and Pakistan. One possible factor contributing to this limitation is language, which may serve as a primary barrier preventing Malay scholars from actively engaging in this field. The Qur’an, revealed by Allah (S.W.T.), possesses an unparalleled linguistic artistry, and its sophisticated literary style necessitates mastery of a broad range of fundamental knowledges for proper comprehension. Prominent figures in the Malay-speaking region, such as al-Shaikh Abdul Rauf Fansuri and Haji Muhammad Sa‘id Umar, were esteemed interpreters in the region. However, with the rapid evolution of the Malay language, Classical Malay has gradually been abandoned. As a result, the younger generation is no longer able to fully grasp the language in its original form, leading to a decline in the use of the interpretative works of these great scholars. In response to the increasing demand for Qur’anic understanding among the Malay Muslim community, a transformative figure in the field of Tafsir emerged, which is Shaikh Abdullah Basmeih. He took the initiative to produce a complete translation of the Qur’an, encompassing all thirty juz’. His seminal work, Tafsir Pimpinan al-Rahman kepada Pengertian al-Qur’an, has since become a primary reference for Malay-speaking Muslims in Malaysia and is widely accepted by the Muslim community across the country. Given the profound impact of this work, scholarly research on this distinguished figure is essential to introduce his contributions to future generations. This article aims to highlight the remarkable legacy of an esteemed scholar who has rendered invaluable service to the Muslim community in Malaysia. This study uses a qualitative methodology, gathering and analyzing relevant data. The findings indicate that Shaikh Abdullah Basmeih was not only involved in the field of Qur’anic interpretation but also made significant contributions to the disciplines of Hadith and Fiqh.