Islam and Customary Law in the Malaysian Legal Context

Abstract

The Malays in Malaya did not become Muslims until comparatively recent times and it is generally accepted that the Malays were not Muslims at the time when they migrated from Sumatra. When they came to Malaya they brought with them and preserved much of their ancient customary law. Muslim law has been superimposed on this. Although the Malays are generally strict Muslims they have never adopted the whole of the Muslim law, and the Muslim law which is applied in Malaya is Muslim law varied by Malay custom.