Brunei is a small country, less than 5770 km2. It is a Southeast Asian country that is located on the north coastline of the Island of Borneo. It consists of two coastal arcs, intertwined with the lands of Sarawak from the Malaysian Union. The proportion of Muslims in Brunei is 76%.

Brunei witnessed the establishment of an early Islamic state. Brunei ruler "Awang Alak Betatar" traveled in 828 AH to visit Sultan Muhammad Shah of Malacca where he converted to Islam. Many callers to Allaah came from Arab countries to Brunei and people welcomed them and they were also encouraged by the Brunei ruler. An Islamic emirate was established in Brunei and expanded its dominance over the Islands of Sulu and the Philippines.

When England solidified its imperial presence in the region, it aspired to control Brunei. England managed to undermine Brunei dominance in 1264 AH/ 1848 AD. The sultan of Brunei signed an agreement with England to combat piracy and develop their mutual commercial relations. However, England announced that Brunei was to become a British protectorate in 1306 AH/1888 AD. Brunei remained a British protectorate until the Japanese occupation of the entire region during World War II. Then, Japan withdrew from Brunei in less than four years.

Brunei was offered the chance to join the Federation of Malaya in 1383 AH/1963 AD, but it refused and remained a separate state ruled by ‘Umar ‘Ali who was nicknamed Sayful-Islam.

Malaysia believed that Brunei should join the Federation of Malaya, a matter that would widen the Federation to contain the whole northern coast of the Island of Borneo and would also allow the Federation to benefit from the oil and natural gas of Brunei. Moreover, joining the Federation of Malaya would shield Brunei from the risk of being devoured by larger countries, from inside or outside the region.

In 1983 AD, the sultan of Brunei, Hassan Bolkiah Mu‘izzud-Deen, agreed with the British that they withdraw from Brunei on condition that Britain maintains its control of the civil administration of Brunei. In fact, the sultan of Brunei still refuses to join the Federation of Malaya because of Brunei’s rich oil resources.

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