Review : Art Of Silat Mubai

The art of Silat Mubai is almost completely unknown to those who have not searched for or had interest in the Silat arts of Southeast Asia. Another aspect of Mubai that is rare by Western standards is that it is an authentic Muslim Fighting Art. Due to recent events like the Sept 11 attacks in America and the emerging quagmire that is Iraq, people have a tendency to see everything related to Muslim culture with an evil taint. As time will show in reading this article, there are many noble and true practices within the Muslim Fighting Arts that represent the TRUE warrior culture rather than the false, recent, and very publicized extremist one. The heart of all true MFA originated with the teachings of Commander Ali Ibn Abu Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhamad, peace be upon him, who was the founder of the Islamic faith.

Commander Ali spent his entire life in the warrior ranks and was known by friends as pious and humble, and by enemies as one of the most formidable warriors in all of Arabia. As a champion of the poor and protector of the house of the Prophet, Ali grew in stature until he became the fourth Caliph (political leader) to succeed the Prophet and the first Imam (religious leader) in a line of 12 after the Prophet. Ali as a man was reputed in his piety and devotion to God, and as a warrior, most of all a duelist, he was unmatched. Contrary to what most people believe, the great Samurai Miyamoto Musashi was not the duelist who survived the most matches with his record of 50 plus wins. Commander Ali fought in his first official battle, the battle of Badr, and killed 24 men in single combats. Combined duels in his life total over 200, which have been recorded and dozens with detailed recordings of the exact events that took place and the adversaries position and family background. It can be said, that Ali as a warrior is responsible for the creation of moral principles of combat that are found within the Muslim Fighting Arts.