Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn. Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we are returning.
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, truly one of the leading Muslim philosophers of our time. He returned to his Lord overnight — on 20 Ramadan 1447 / 8 March 2026 — at the age of 97 (Hijri), 94 Gregorian. He is survived by his wife, Latifah Abdullah, and their four children, Faizah al-Attas, Dr. Syed Ali Tawfik al-Attas, Shifa al-Attas, and Syed Haidar al-Attas. [1] [2]
Having served a lifetime Islamicising knowledge and its pursuit, the late academic’s full title at the time of his passing was Royal Professor Tan Sri Dr. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas. He was widely revered in Malaysia and across the world for his contributions to Islamic thought.
In attendance for the funeral prayer and burial on Monday were top Malaysian leaders, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, various members of the cabinet, in addition to the late professor’s son, Dr. Syed Ali Tawfik al-Attas — who led the janaza. [3]
In lengthy remarks, the Prime Minister said of the influential academic,
Today I joined the congregation in performing the funeral prayer for the eminent scholar and great thinker of Islamic civilisation, the late Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, at Masjid Al-Taqwa TTDI.
The passing of the late Professor Royal and highly respected scholar is a great loss to the world, as he rendered immense service in upholding the traditions of knowledge, adab, and Islamic civilisation.” [4]
Ibrahim further stated,
I also had the opportunity to convey my condolences to the family of the deceased and to express appreciation for the immensely valuable intellectual legacy he has left behind, particularly in strengthening the understanding of the concepts of knowledge, adab, and the role of Islam in shaping a noble civilisation.
Indeed, his services and contributions will continue to be remembered and will remain a source of inspiration for generations of scholars and for the Muslim community in continuing the tradition of knowledge grounded in wisdom and values.
May Allah, the Most Glorious and Exalted, shower His mercy upon his soul, forgive all his sins, and place him among His servants who believe and perform righteous deeds.” [4]
Life and studies
Professor al-Attas was born on 5 September 1931 in the city of Bogor, on the island of Java.
In secondary school, he studied Malay literature, religion, history, as well as the classics, before going on to secure an undergraduate degree at the University of Malaya (1957-59).
Following on from his time in Singapore, the late professor was granted a Canada Council Fellowship for three years of study at the Institute of Islamic Studies at Montreal-based McGill University. There he attained a master’s in Islamic philosophy in 1962. His doctoral thesis was also submitted in the same year, at SOAS, London.
Legacy
In 1987, the late academic founded the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation in Kuala Lumpur — as the name suggests, it being a research centre focused on the advancement of Islamic thinking and civilisation.
He was the author of 28 bodies of work that covered Malay language and literature, metaphysics, Islamic thought and civilisation, as well as cosmology. Professor al-Attas also had a hand in calligraphy, his artwork was often found on the covers of his books. [5]
Condolences to the Malaysian people
Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad, a senior scholar at Islam21c, reacted to the sad news with the following remarks:
Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’ death is a loss for the Ummah. I send my condolences to his family and to the Malaysian people.
I had planned to offer the late academic a visit after attending an event by one of his organisations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last year — as part of the Prophetic Strategy Summit. However, it is the Qadr of Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) that I did not have that honour to meet the esteemed scholar.
May Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) have mercy upon him, grant him the highest rank in Paradise, and forgive him of his sins. He has returned to his Lord in the blessed month of Ramadan, this is something that the believer views with great positivity.”
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[2] https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/09/syed-muhammad-naquib-al-attas-laid-to-rest
