Islamic Law in Brunei Darussalam: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

For a conservative Islamic nation, there have been no known conflicts in Brunei’s religious affairs. While being predominantly inhabited by Muslims at 67% of the total population, the rest of the population are allowed to practice their religion in peace. As with other Islamic nations, Islam influences the government in upholding Islamic laws. Brunei has been implementing Islamic Law since the 16th century, and it was in the beginning of 20th Century with the intervention of foreign powers that Brunei had to or was rather forced to abandon it. Before the British implemented its Common Law, the main body of basic law in Brunei was Islamic law and that the law was well executed, administered and it was effective. The law was initiated by the ninth Sultan of Brunei Sultan Muhammad Hassan (1582-1598) and widely known as the Sultan Hassan’s Kanun. In 2011, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during a meeting with members of the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) proposed the introduction of an Islamic Criminal Act to deal with crimes while maintaining the implementation of existing civil and religious legislations. On 22nd October 2013 the Sultan announced this law, and on 1st May 2014 the Law has been enforced. This paper highlighted this fact that is Islamic law in Brunei Darussalam: past: present and future.