Resonances of Al-Fārābī: The Evolving Tradition of Gambus in Malaysia

During the Abbasid era, prominent scholars and philosophers such as Abū Naṣr al-Fārābī made transformative contributions across multiple disciplines, including music theory. A foundational figure in Islamic philosophy, al-Fārābī significantly advanced medieval musical thought by developing theoretical models, composing original melodies, and improving the design of the Arabic ʿūd (lute). By the 15th century, the ʿūd had influenced the evolution of the gambus in the Malay Archipelago, where it became an important component of Malaysia’s cultural heritage. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to examine the role of the gambus within al-Fārābī’s philosophical and musical framework. Drawing on both primary sources such as the Kitāb al-Mūsīqā al-Kabīr and a variety of scholarly literature, including books, theses, and journal articles, the research highlights the gambus as a key element in the spiritual and cultural traditions of Malaysia. In line with al-Fārābī’s view of music as essential to human well-being, the gambus is celebrated for its aesthetic and spiritual significance. However, its therapeutic potential remains underexplored. Based on al-Fārābī’s claim about the healing power of music, this paper calls for further interdisciplinary research into the application of gambus music in Malaysian healthcare and therapeutic settings.