The Rules for Kings (Majlis Aceh)

Abstract

This book is an English translation of the manuscript of Majlis Aceh, originally called “Ma Bayyana al–Salatin” which means Rules for Kings. The manuscript was written in its complete form by Ismail bin Ahmad in 1231 A.H/1815 A.D). It is an Important document on the development of the rules and civilization of the Muslim Malay Society in Southeast Asia, particularly in Aceh. The manuscript consists of rules and regulations for kings and officers and their responsibilities, enforcement and details the amount of custom duties and taxes for trading goods and services in Aceh. All the royal customs and rules of governance exhibit the influence of tradition (adat) and Islamic teaching. The manuscript also shows the great influence of Islam in trade and commerce. The Rules for Kings (Majlis Aceh) would be beneficial to readers, researchers and academicians in the field of history, education, sociology, politics, literature, law and civilization of the Malay Islamic world in Southeast Asia.

Full text

THE RULES FOR KINGS (MAJLIS ACEH)
Yahaya Jusoh
Kamarul Azmi Jasmi
Faculty of Islamic Civilization, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Suggested Citation:
Jusoh Y. & Jasmi K. A. 2008. The Rules for Kings (Majlis Aceh). Skudai Johor: Penerbit
UTM. ISBN: 978-983-52-0683-2.
SYNOPSIS
This book is an English translation of the manuscript of Majlis Aceh, originally called “Ma Bayyana
al–Salatin” which means Rules for Kings. The manuscript was written in its complete form by Is-
mail bin Ahmad in 1231 A.H/1815 A.D). It is an Important document on the development of the
rules and civilization of the Muslim Malay Society in Southeast Asia, particularly in Aceh. The
manuscript consists of rules and regulations for kings and officers and their responsibilities, enforce-
ment and details the amount of custom duties and taxes for trading goods and services in Aceh. All
the royal customs and rules of governance exhibit the influence of tradition (adat) and Islamic
teaching. The manuscript also shows the great influence of Islam in trade and commerce. The
Rules for Kings (Majlis Aceh) would be beneficial to readers, researchers and academicians in the
field of history, education, sociology, politics, literature, law and civilization of the Malay Islamic
world in Southeast Asia.
CONTENTS
Preface
Preamble
Transliteration
Abbreviation
CHAPTER 1 ETHICS OF KINGS AND OFFICERS
The First Majlis
The Second Majlis
The Third Majlis
The Fourth Majlis
The Fifth Majlis
The Twenty–fifth Majlis
The Twenty–sixth Majlis
The Twenty–seventh Majlis
The Twenty–eighth Majlis
The Twenty–nineth Majlis
The Thirtieth Majlis
The Thirty–first Majlis
CHAPTER 2 THE GENEALOGY OF THE KINGS OF ACEH
The Genealogy History
CHAPTER 3 THE CUSTOMARY RULES FOR KINGS
The Regulation for Inauguration of the First Day of Ramadan

The Regulation for the Vigil on the Night of Qadr
The Inauguration of the Vigil on the Night of Twenty-seventh of Ramadan
Royal Processing to the Mosque for
c
Id Prayer
The Regulations for Paying Obeisance to the King on the
c
Id Day
The Regulations fo the Procession of the King Going to the Mosque for the Hajj
c
Id Prayer
The Regulations for the Royal Procession for Friday Prayer
The Regulations for the Ceremony of the Military Chiefs
The Regulations for the King’s Bathing in the Month of Safar
CHAPTER 4 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS OF ACEH
Military Chiefs
Chief Officers
Bentara
Guard of the Royal Scribe
Bentara of Pidir
Military Chiefs of Pasai
CHAPTER 5 LAWS AND REGULATION OF TRADE
Trade Laws since Iskandar Muda Johan Reign
Glossary
REFERENCES
Braddell (1850). Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia. Singapore. Vole. 4, 728-33. hal. 26-32.
G.W.J. Dreweis & P. Voorhoeve (1958). Adat Atjeh. VKI, no.24, s. Cravehage: Marinus Nijhorff, hal.14.
M.C. Ricklefs & P. Voorhoeve (1977). Indonesian manuscripts in Great Britain. London: Oxford University Press.
Hal. 8-144.