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POLITICAL leaders, academics and Islamic organisations have paid tribute to renowned Islamic philosopher and scholar Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, who died on Sunday evening at the age of 95.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Royal Professor, describing him as one of the greatest intellectual figures of the modern era.
In a message posted on Facebook, Anwar said the late scholar’s legacy extended far beyond philosophy, noting that his work encouraged deeper reflection on the nature and purpose of knowledge itself.
"Through important works including 'Islam and Secularism' and his magnum opus 'Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam', he challenged the secularisation of knowledge and built an intellectual foundation for the Islamic worldview.
"His ideas were not only heard in Malaysia but had a profound influence across the Muslim world as a whole," he said.
Anwar noted that Al-Attas passed away on the 19th night of Ramadan.
"This was a life lived with great meaning and a passing that leaves behind a tremendous legacy," he said.
On behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, he extended condolences to the scholar’s family and to the many students and followers who had benefited from his teachings.
He also prayed that the late scholar would be placed among the faithful and granted divine mercy and the highest rank in the hereafter.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Zulkifli Hasan described the passing of Al-Attas as a profound loss to the Muslim intellectual tradition.
"The passing of Almarhum is not merely the loss of a distinguished scholar, but the loss of a precious gem of knowledge for the Muslim community.
"Almarhum was known as a mujaddid, a thinker and scholar who rekindled the torch of knowledge and adab in the Muslim world," he said.
Zulkifli said the late scholar’s intellectual legacy had contributed significantly to the development of Islamic thought and civilisation, while also inspiring the establishment of key institutions including Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation and the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation.
Although his passing would be deeply felt, Zulkifli said the scholar’s intellectual contributions would continue to guide future generations.
Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said Al-Attas’ death during the holy month of Ramadan added to the sense of loss felt across the academic community.
"May Allah grant mercy upon Almarhum, forgive all his sins and place him among the righteous.
"Indeed, his contributions and ideas will continue to live on as guidance for future generations of scholars and for the wider community," he said.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also expressed sadness over the scholar’s passing.
"The passing of Almarhum is a great loss to the nation and to the world of Islamic intellectual scholarship.
"My deepest condolences to the entire family of Almarhum. May Allah grant mercy upon his soul and place him among the faithful," she said.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the loss extended beyond Malaysia to the broader Muslim world.
"His magnum opus such as Islam and Secularism (1978) was highly influential in explaining Islam within the context of the Islamisation of knowledge at the time, while The Concept of Education in Islam (1980) outlined the philosophical framework of Islamic education through the concepts of adab and ta'dib," he said.
The president of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin, also extended condolences to the scholar’s family as well as to his students and colleagues around the world.
"May Allah grant forgiveness, mercy and the highest ranks to Almarhum for all his services and contributions to the Muslim community.
"The passing of a great scholar never ends the journey of the knowledge he leaves behind. As long as the ideas of knowledge, adab and civilisation that he championed continue to be understood, taught and lived in the lives of the community, his intellectual legacy will continue to illuminate the future of the Muslim world," he said in a statement.
The late scholar’s funeral prayers were scheduled to be held at Masjid Al-Taqwa in Taman Tun Dr Ismail before burial at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.
Al-Attas, widely known for his contributions to philosophy, theology and Islamic civilisation, was awarded the title of Royal Professor of Islamic Education on Oct 23, 2024 in recognition of his lifelong contribution to scholarship and Islamic education.
Born on Sept 5, 1931 in Bogor, Indonesia, he was married to Latifah Abdullah and is survived by four children: Sharifah Faizah Al-Attas, Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas, Sharifah Shifa Al-Attas and Syed Haidar Al-Attas.
He founded and served as director of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation and was appointed a distinguished visiting professor at the Centre for Advanced Studies on Islam, Science and Civilisation at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2012. - March 9, 2026
