amalan

Amalan is a noun in Malay and Indonesian that refers to acts, deeds, or practices, especially those performed as part of religious or moral life. The term is derived from Arabic amāl meaning work or action, with the Indonesian-Malay suffix -an to form a mass noun. In religious contexts, amalan denotes deeds that are evaluated for moral or spiritual merit, such as obligatory duties (fard), voluntary worship (ibadah sunat), charity, fasting, prayer, and good conduct. The moral value of amalan is often linked to intention (niat) in Islamic thought.

In everyday use, amalan can refer to customary practices or routines beyond strictly religious contexts, though it remains most common in Muslim communities. Phrases include amalan baik (good deeds), amalan buruk (bad deeds), amalan harian or amalan rutin (daily practices), and amalan ibadah (acts of worship).

In Indonesia and Malaysia, amalan appears in religious education, sermons, and cultural discourse, with emphasis varying by community and denomination. The term reflects a broader concept of conduct and habit, illustrating how language encodes moral evaluation and ritual practice within daily life.

See also: Amal, amal saleh, niat.