Accreditation for Islamic religious teaching in Malaysia: A recent literature review

Abstract

The accreditation process for Islamic religious teaching, commonly referred to as tauliah, is a crucial mechanism for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of Islamic teachings in Malaysia. However, the administration of tauliah faces numerous challenges, particularly due to inconsistent procedures across different states, bureaucratic constraints, and a lack of adaptability in addressing modern da’wah platforms. This study aims to analyses recent scholarly literature (2021–2025) to explore the development, challenges, and future directions of tauliah in Malaysia. Using a qualitative content analysis methodology, a systematic review of Google Scholar sources was conducted based on the keyword “accreditation of Islamic religious teaching”. A total of 140 documents were screened, with 31 selected for in-depth analysis based on relevance and scholarly contribution. The findings reveal that while tauliah plays a critical role in safeguarding religious purity and regulating qualified religious educators, its implementation varies widely across states, lacks standardization, and poses difficulties for inter-state preachers. Issues such as digital preaching without tauliah, the exclusion of non-traditional scholars, and opaque appeals processes were commonly reported. Several scholars propose a preacher-friendly, inclusive model to address these challenges. In conclusion, this study affirms that tauliah remains a vital tool in Islamic governance. However, it must evolve through harmonized legal frameworks, inclusive training pathways, and digital-era responsiveness to ensure effective, credible, and accessible religious instruction in Malaysia. These insights provide a foundation for future research and policy improvements in Islamic religious education.