The Malay World: An Analysis of Quranic Verses in Sulalat al-Salatin

Sulalat Al-Salatin is an important written source to study about the Malacca’s Malay Empire in the 15th century. The Islamization process was reflected in Sulalat Al-Salatin where the quotation of Quranic verses can be found. The aim of this study is to analyze all Quranic verses depicted in it through evaluation of the understanding of these verses among Malays. The references of the verses will be critically analyzed and compared with the interpretation from prominent Muslim scholars in Quran exegesis and how it was used in the Sulalat Al-Salatin. Consequently, the reason of using the verses can be understood and the correctness of using it in its context can be evaluated. As a result, it was found that all of the verses have been used in an appropriate context except one verse which was mistakenly quoted. Therefore, this study is important to understand the influence of Quran on classical Malay literature.