Tracing Minangkabau Intellectual Polemics on the Indonesia–Malaysia Stage
BUKITTINGGI – The historic intellectual rift between the Old Guard (Kaum Tua) and the Young Reformers (Kaum Muda) of Minangkabau has returned to the spotlight following the launch of a provocative new book, "Polemik Kaum Tua dan Kaum Muda di Minangkabau tentang Rumah Tangga Rasulullah dalam Kitab Al-Bashair" (The Polemics of the Old and Young Generations in Minangkabau regarding the Prophet's Household in the Book of Al-Bashair).
Based on original manuscripts preserved at the Buya Hamka Museum in Maninjau, the book revisits a classic debate recorded by the legendary cleric Abdul Karim Amrullah. It invites readers to explore the discursive tensions between religious traditionalists and adat-based reformers regarding the specifics of the Prophet’s domestic life—an issue that once defined the socio-religious landscape of West Sumatra.
The launch took place during a Public Lecture celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Buya Hamka Museum, held at UIN Bukittinggi on Tuesday, Nov 12, 2025. Titled "Buya Hamka: Ummatic Spirit, Unity of the Ummah, and Breaking the Borders of Nations and Colonial Legacies," the event was organized by the International Office of UIN Bukittinggi in collaboration with the Association of Malaysian Minang Scholars (PCMM), Wadah Malaysia, and Kolej Dar al-Hikmah Malaysia.
A Legacy of Scholarly Debate
Dr. Saiful Amin and Hendri Mistha, MH, emphasized that the work peels back the layers of Minangkabau’s rich intellectual history."The polemics recorded in Al-Bashair demonstrate how our society managed differences of opinion scientifically and with dignity," stated Dr. Saiful Amin. "This is an essential heritage for the study of Islam in the archipelago (Islam Nusantara)."
Dato’ H. Ahmad Azam bin Abdul Rahman, President of Kolej Dar al-Hikmah and Wadah Malaysia, hailed the book as a significant contribution to regional studies. He noted that deep research into the works of Buya Hamka’s father provides fresh insights into Malay-Nusantara Islamic thought."Such depth enriches the future of the Buya Hamka Museum. These findings solidify the museum’s status as a center for intellectual reference," he explained.
Bridging History and Modernity
Dato’ Ismail Ahmad, President of the PCMM, lauded the research as a vital document illustrating the dynamic relationship between adat (customary law) and religion. He argued that the work proves that historical differences need not create divides but can instead serve as a wellspring of knowledge for all of Southeast Asia.
Closing the event, the Rector of UIN Bukittinggi, Prof. Dr. Silfia Hanani, underscored the necessity of Indonesia–Malaysia academic collaboration in preserving Hamka’s legacy. She highlighted plans to bolster the "Hamka’s Corner" at UIN Bukittinggi as a premier research and documentation hub."This initiative will serve as a strategic space for cross-border and intergenerational research," Prof. Hanani concluded.
Source: Internation Office of UIN Bukittinggi
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