Islamonweb

Prominent Islamic scholar and philosopher Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas passed away on Sunday, March 8, at 6:47 pm in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 94, marking a significant loss to the world of Islamic scholarship and intellectual thought.

The news of his passing was shared by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, who described the late scholar as not only a respected figure but also a priceless treasure of knowledge for the Muslim community. He noted that Al-Attas was widely known as a mujaddid, thinker, and scholar who rekindled the spirit of knowledge and adab in the modern Islamic intellectual tradition.

Al-Attas played an important role in revitalising intellectual discourse in the Muslim world and contributed to the establishment and development of several key institutions in Malaysia, including the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), and the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), which he founded and directed.

Born on September 5, 1931, in Bogor, Indonesia, Al-Attas initially began his career as a cadet officer in the Malay Army Regiment before turning to academia, where he would leave a lasting impact. In 1965, he was appointed Head of the Literature Division in the Department of Malay Studies at University of Malaya (UM). Between 1968 and 1970, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the same institution before continuing his academic leadership at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, where he headed the Department of Malay Language and Literature and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

In 1973, he founded the Institute of Malay Language, Literature and Culture (IBKKM) at UKM, further strengthening the study of Malay civilisation and culture. His influence also extended internationally, where he served on advisory boards of several academic institutions and participated in international scholarly forums, including the 29th International Congress of Orientalists in Paris and a meeting organised by UNESCO in Aleppo.

Throughout his life, Al-Attas received numerous honours in recognition of his intellectual contributions. In October 2024, Sultan Ibrahim, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, conferred upon him the prestigious title of Royal Professor of Islamic Education for his outstanding contributions to the nation, particularly in the field of Islamic education. Royal Professor is the highest and most esteemed professorship in Malaysia, bestowed directly by the King.

His accolades also included the Iqbal Centenary Commemorative Medal presented by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the Tokoh Melayu Terbilang Award in 2011, and the Merdeka Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in 2012.

Funeral prayers are expected to be held at the Al-Taqwa Mosque in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, before he is laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery.