Islamic Scholarly Traditions s in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam: A Meta-Conceptual Study

Abstract

: The tradition of Islamic scholarship in the Malay Archipelago, particularly in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, reflects a rich and dynamic intellectual heritage that has not yet been systematically and contextually formulated. This study seeks to develop a meta-conceptual model of Islamic scholarly tradition in both countries through a synthesis of literature across classical, modern, and contemporary periods. The research employs a systematic literature review combined with meta-conceptual synthesis, engaging the works of classical thinkers such as Al-Ghazali, Al-Attas, and Al-Faruqi; modern reformers such as Natsir, Madjid, and Rahman; and contemporary empirical scholars including Azra, Dhofier, Bowen, Ooi Keat Gin, and Pehin Abdul Aziz. The synthesis identifies six core meta-concepts: (1) epistemic drivers of knowledge, (2) ethical and spiritual dispositions (adab al-‘ilm), (3) institutional and communal learning structures, (4) experiential and transmissive learning (ta‘līm, tarbiyah, and tazkiyah), (5) dialectical balance between revelation and reason, and (6) intellectual outcomes and cultural transformation. These findings demonstrate that Islamic scholarship operates as an integrated system linking spirituality, ethics, and social transformation—manifesting a plural-reflective character in Indonesia and a normative-integrative character in Brunei Darussalam. The novelty of this research lies in constructing a meta-conceptual framework that bridges theological, ethical, and institutional dimensions within the paradigm of Islamic epistemology. This framework contributes to enriching Islamic epistemological discourse and offers a theoretical foundation for contextualizing Islamic education in Southeast Asia.