Islamic Creed and Legal Thought in Hulu Terengganu in the Fourteenth Century: A Philological–Religious Historical Analysis of the Terengganu Inscription (BBT)

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the Terengganu Inscription (Batu Bersurat Terengganu, BBT) as one of the earliest Islamic historical sources in Southeast Asia through a philological–religious historical approach, namely a critical reading of a religious text as a historical document that reflects the structure of Islamic creed (‘aqîdah) and law (fiqh) of its time. The findings demonstrate that the BBT exhibits clear elements of Islamic creed as well as well-structured, mature provisions of Islamic law, indicating that Islam had already been institutionally embedded within Malay society by the fourteenth century. This level of intellectual and legal maturity was most likely achieved through the role of external scholars who had assimilated into the local society and maintained close relations with the ruling institution. From the perspective of usûl al-fiqh, the application of the principles of maslahah mursalah, ‘urf, and fiqh siyâsah reflects a contextualised understanding of maqâsid al-sharî‘ah in the implementation of law. Although this study does not directly determine the identity of the ruler or the specific form of governance in Hulu Terengganu at the time, the analysis confirms that Islam had functioned as a normative foundation for law, authority, and social life within the Malay community, thereby contributing to the formation of a distinctive Islamic–Malay tradition.