Translation Activities By Ulama (Religious Scholar) of Malay Archipelago in The 16th-19th Century According to The Perspective of Contemporary Malay Scholars

Translation activities in malay archipelago had just begun since the days when there was a need for many sources to learn and develop Islam. The purpose of this study is to explain the history of translation activities in malay archipelago and to identify the translation works produced by local scholars in 16th -19th century. This study was conducted using the qualitative approach as the method. Data were collected via literature review by using the scientific books, journals, articles and reports. The obtained data was analyzed descriptively and it also combined with ideas, views and previous studies. This was aimed to give an overview of the Malay scholar translation activities in the 16-19th century. The result indicated that the translation activities in malay archipelago started in 16th century and was growing in the 17th, 18th, and 19th century. The growth of the translation activities was in line with the increase of translation works. The number of works which is lack in the 16th century was increasing in the 19th century. The works included the variety of diciplines such as Fiqh, Aqeedah, Sufism, Tafseer and etc. In addition, the result also identified the inclination of malay scholar in intensifying the tradition of translation. For example, the scholars inclined to name their translation works in Arabic and Ihya’ Ulum al-Din as the work of al-Ghazali become the preferred option for them to translate.