Imagine walking through the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur, where the chatter of diverse languages fills the air. From Malay to Mandarin, Tamil to English, every corner echoes the rich tapestry of Malaysia’s multilingual identity.

Each language represents not just a tool for communication but a lens through which individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. 

Multilingualism has become the norm in today’s globalized society, opening doors to opportunities and promoting cross-cultural understanding. However, this diversity is not without its challenges. Languages carry cultural norms, values, and ideologies that may, not-so-subtly, influence those who use them.

In the case of English, its global dominance often brings with it cultural affiliations that may conflict with local traditions and, for Muslims, with Islamic values. For instance, the emphasis on individualism in English-speaking cultures often prioritizes personal success and autonomy over societal well-being, which contrasts with Islam’s focus on collective responsibility and social harmony. 

Similarly, secularism—seen in the separation of religious beliefs from public and professional life—can be at odds with the Islamic perspective that integrates faith into all aspects of daily living. In such a dynamic linguistic landscape, Muslims face a key question: how can we fully engage with the opportunities multilingualism offers without compromising our Islamic principles or sense of self?

The answer lies in Tawhid, the conviction in the oneness of Allah, which provides a guiding framework to address the complexities of multilingualism while remaining firmly rooted in faith and one’s identity.

Tawhid: A Framework of Unity and Balance

Tawhid, often understood as the declaration of Islamic faith (La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad Rasulullah—There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), is far more than a verbal affirmation.

For many Muslims, this declaration is taught as the foundation of our faith from a young age, yet it is often taken for granted as a mere phrase. In reality, Tawhid represents a comprehensive worldview that shapes how we think, how we act, and how we engage with the world around us.

To embrace Tawhid is to recognize that Allah is the ultimate purpose of all that we do. It is a commitment to live with the understanding that every action, decision, and relationship is directed toward fulfilling Allah’s commands.

Tawhid shapes how we engage with the world, guiding us to organize our lives in accordance with His will and reminding us that our existence is meant to serve a higher purpose. This conviction instills a sense of responsibility and clarity, influencing not only personal conduct but also how we interact with others and care for the world around us. 

It shapes our worldview, encouraging us to critically assess cultural influences and prioritize those that are consistent with Islamic principles. This deeply ingrained perspective not only shapes personal behaviors but also acts as our ‘moral compass’, guiding our interactions with the languages and cultures we encounter. By internalizing Tawhid, Muslims are able to address the complexities of multilingualism with clarity and purpose.

Language and Culture: A Powerful Connection

Languages do more than convey words; they shape how we think, live, and interact with the world. This phenomenon, often referred to as linguistic relativity, highlights how languages influence our worldview, including perceptions of time, relationships, and moral obligations.

For instance, in English, the term ‘Friday night’ often carries connotations of parties and relaxation, symbolizing the end of a workweek and a time to unwind. In contrast, the Malay equivalent, ‘malam Jumaat’ (Friday night), holds a different set of values, emphasizing acts of worship such as reciting Surah Al-Kahf, sending salawat upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and engaging in extra acts of worship, as Friday is regarded as the most blessed day in Islam.

When it comes to relationships, the Malay language reflects deep cultural norms around respect and hierarchy. Instead of addressing older individuals by their first names, Malays often use kinship terms such as ‘Kak’ for an older sister or female and ‘Abang’ for an older brother or male.

These linguistic markers highlight the importance of deference and familial bonds. Such practices demonstrate how language reinforces social harmony and intergenerational respect in Malaysia’s multilingual society, standing in contrast to English norms where individuals are commonly addressed by their first names, regardless of age or status.

For multilingual individuals, language becomes a means of negotiating identity. Ethnic languages promote a sense of solidarity and connection to cultural roots, while global languages like English are associated with power, prestige, and opportunities.

Code-switching, prevalent in urban multilingual settings, allows speakers to adapt to different linguistic and cultural contexts. While this adaptability showcases flexibility, it risks eroding heritage values when dominant ideologies, such as those embedded in English, prevail.

Generational dynamics further complicate this relationship. Younger generations, drawn to the modernity of global languages, may distance themselves from ethnic languages. This shift not only weakens familial and cultural bonds but also dilutes the transmission of cultural values embedded in those languages.

Understanding the relationship between language and identity is essential for Muslims in multilingual societies, as diversity is a central feature of human existence. The Qur’an reminds us:

“O mankind, indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13).”

This verse highlights that diversity is meant for mutual understanding and connection, not division. Amidst this diversity, Allah values individuals not for their color, language, or ethnicity, but for their righteousness and piety. This exemplifies the egalitarian nature of Islam, which places all individuals on equal footing and rejects all forms of racism.

The Role of Tawhid in Moderating Multilingualism

Tawhid offers Muslims a clear guidance for engaging with multilingualism while maintaining their faith and identity. This Tawhidic perspective operates on several levels:

1. Recognizing Languages as Signs of Allah

The Qur’an acknowledges the diversity of languages as one of Allah’s signs: “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors” (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:22).

By viewing languages as part of Allah’s mighty creation, Muslims can appreciate their beauty and utility without losing sight of their submission to Allah.

2. Filtering Cultural Norms Through Tawhid

Languages carry cultural influences, but Tawhid provides the moral compass needed to evaluate these influences. Muslims can critically adopt practices that align with Islamic principles while discarding those that do not.

3. Preserving Linguistic Balance

Tawhid encourages balance in all aspects of life, including language use. While learning English or other global languages is beneficial, preserving ethnic languages is equally important for maintaining cultural connections.

4. Promoting Mutual Respect Through Multilingualism

Engaging with diverse linguistic communities from a Tawhidic perspective promotes mutual respect and understanding. This approach allows Muslims to share the beauty of Islam through their interactions while building bridges across cultures.

Tawhid : Unity in Diversity

Imagine this: A child in Malaysia speaks English at school, recites the Qur’an in Arabic, and converses with family members in Malay or Tamil or Mandarin. This child represents the beauty of multilingualism. However, the key to preserving this linguistic and cultural diversity without compromising one’s faith and identity lies in Tawhid.

It’s a constant reminder that while languages can open doors, our ultimate purpose remains tied to our Creator. Embracing linguistic and cultural diversity is not only possible but necessary in today’s world.

Yet, with Tawhid as our anchor, we can navigate these waters confidently, staying true to our identity while celebrating the richness of human expressions. In this way, we embody the balance and unity that Tawhid teaches, transforming multilingualism from a challenge into a blessed opportunity.

Rabiah Tul Adawiyah Mohamed Salleh is Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. She teaches Psycholinguistics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Rabiah is a strong advocate for the decolonization and Islamization of knowledge within language studies.