Silat is as a part of the Malay culture as the Malay language. It is the traditional Malay form of martial art that has been developed for hundreds of years (and it is still evolving to this day). Nonetheless, there are certain aspects of silat that cannot be altered, and is the identifying quality of silat. Its principles, culture and ethics make silat unique to the Malay people. Even before the coming of Islam to the Nusantara, the Malays have been practicing the art of silat. The arrival of Islam made silat a more complete form of martial art, reinforcing its core values with the sacred tenets of the Islamic faith.
Silat was not merely an art of war, but it became a Way of Life long before the Bushido code of the samurai came into widespread application. A true silat practitioner was the ideal gentleman. Honest, intelligent, courteous, courageous and bound to a strict code of honour. Despite being armed, it is not easy for a silat warrior to draw their weapons. Their strict code of conduct prevented them from harming innocent lives, only to use force as a last option.
As mentioned in the Al Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah (The Kedah Annals), a warrior should exercise the "100 to 1" principle. In short, try 100 ways to avert aggression before resorting to violence as a last effort to defend oneself. This verse in the Annals emphasized the importance of patience is a warrior. Patience is also a cornerstone of Islam. This is one of the ways silat educates its practitioners towards maintaining peace and harmony.
Nonetheless, some of the Malays nowadays no longer practice silat, and even shun it. Practitioners are often ridiculed and looked down upon as being "out of date" and "living in the past". Some even say that people use guns nowadays, but fall silent when asked to produce their firearms! These sentiments show how ignorant people can be of their own culture and heritage. Silat is not about becoming a thug and beating people up. Silat is about becoming a well-mannered, well-behaved individual who is beneficial to the society.
