THE CONCEPT OF HIJAB IN TRADITIONAL MALAY ARCHITECTURE: SPATIAL ETHICS AND THE AESTHETICS OF PRIVACY IN ISLAM

Abstract

In Islamic thought, the concept of hijab extends beyond its conventional association with modest attire, encompassing deeper philosophical, metaphysical, and spatial dimensions. As a term signifying a barrier, partition, or screen, hijab functions as both a literal and symbolic boundary that governs visibility, interaction, and accessibility, in line with Islamic ethics. Within the context of Malay architecture, hijab plays a pivotal role in shaping-built environments that seek to harmonize privacy, modesty, and social cohesion. This paper explores how the concept of hijab is manifested in traditional Malay houses and religious structures, focusing on how it reflects a culturally specific spatial ethics grounded in Islamic cosmology. The residence of Tok Abu Bakar Alang Ketak, a prime example of Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak architecture, serves as the central case study to examine the relationship between spatial organization and cultural values. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes site observation, spatial and cultural analysis, and interviews, the study explores how the principles of hijab in Islamic architecture are reflected in Malay architectural traditions. Five key scenarios were identified to demonstrate the parallelism between the concept of hijab, Malay culture, and the spatial organization of traditional Malay architecture, illustrating how these elements coalesce to create an aesthetic and ethical framework for privacy and interaction.