2531 Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 8(5): 2531-2542, 2012 ISSN 1819-544X This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed ORIGINAL ARTICLES Corresponding Author: Wan Zulkifli, Hasnan, The Culturalization of The Sect of Shafi'i In Forming Harmony In The Malay Society In Malaysia Wan Zulkifli, Hasnan, Zulkifli Mohamad, M. Sabri, Nazri Muslim & Azizi Umar ABSTRACT The Sect of Shafi'i is regarded as synonymous in the Malay community since the development of the Muslim teaching through local missionaries and religious teachers. Therefore, Shafi’i based-practices are very much inculcated within the Muslim Malay community in this country, as well as the fact that they are able to instill the sense of unity and harmony. Therefore, it needs to be maintained and nourished within the people of the mass. Something that is different or deviates from the norms of the sect of Shafi'i will sometimes evoke unpleasant feelings and discomfort among them. Baseless suspicions will bring about accusations that can break apart Malay unity and will certainly leave a long-lasting negative impact to the Muslim community itself. The main methodologies used in this article are field study and analysing previous written materials. The information obtained was edited and analysed qualitatively. The common approach adopted in the historical analysis is the multi-dimensional approach, done towards the complex phenomena, in order for it to be able to be edited effectively. Thus, this article will prove that the uniformity of practice to the particular sect is able to inculcate harmony and prosperity in the Malay society. Apart from that, this article should be able to depict the adherence of religious institutions to the fundamental stance of the Shafi’i sect, not because of their succumbing to the sect blindly, but sometimes, the consideration also lies in the environment of the society that have long accepted the doctrine as long as they can remember. Key words: The Shafi’i Sect, Culturalization, Harmony, Malay Society Introduction This article provides the answer as to why the sect of Shafi’i becomes dominant among the Malay community, that it is able to generate the formation of harmonious Malay community by practising Islamic Shafi’i sect-based teachings. The discussion in this article only sheds light only on the Muslim Malay communities in Malaysia and do not reach the Muslim non-Malay counterparts in this country. In addressing this issue, this article will seek to identify the elements that have become the catalysts to the Muslim Malay community in applying the sect of Shafi'i in their ways of life. The main methods adopted in the article are through the field analysis and the analysis of previous written materials. The data obtained have been edited and analysed in a qualitative manner. The prominence of the sect in the lives of the Malays is seen to be capable of instilling the sense of unity among them in Malaysia. The complexities of the various sects have become the reason for disunity and unhappiness among the Muslim Malays. The history has captured that the traditional scholars of the Malay society, through their strengths of knowledge and commitment in spreading Islamic teachings have been able to unite the people of the Archipelago with the sect. The misunderstanding that has persisted in the practices of the Sect in the public can sometimes lead to dispute and disintegration among themselves, at the same time, it is seen as disappointing, especially when regarding the immeasurably valuable efforts of the scholars in developing the knowledge and in building the nation. The acts of challenging and disputing the practices of the public, who follows the Shafi’i Sect by certain parties can well invite some confusion when practising Islam. In relation to this, Islam Development Office or (JAKIM) has made the initiative to make a stand whereby the schools of understanding and sects other than those of Shafi’i and Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama’ah must have its spreading to the society monitored, even though the two have been well acknowledged by the Shara’. This is because, the sects practised in Malaysia are those mentioned earlier: the sects of Shafi’i and Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al-Jama’ah (Wan Zulkifli bin Wan Hassan. 2002). Nonetheless, if there are people who want to practise the sects other than Shafi’i and Ahl al-Sunnah Wa al- Jama’ah they need to register themselves with any of the State Islamic Departments. The practice, however,