‘Sakit Tuan’ (Male Sexual Dysfunction): Axiological Notes on Malay Wisdom

Abstract

‘Sakit tuan’ (male sexual dysfunction) is a Malay term that refers to erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, and premature ejaculation. Malay traditional medicine possesses its own repertoire of remedies for these andrological conditions. Among the practices employed is the use of wafak (amulets or talismans). The sources of Malay medical wisdom examined in this study include classical texts such as Tajul Muluk, Kitab Hukum Jimak, Kitab Tib Pontianak, and Hikayat Nurul Lisan Menjawab Masalah, alongside a contemporary corpus derived from Malay traditional practitioners. The study reveals that the medical wisdom embedded in these texts is grounded in a Malay weltanschauung deeply shaped—either directly or indirectly—by Shiʿi and Sufi thought. This body of knowledge constitutes a value system unique to the Malay intellectual tradition, one that stands in contrast to the epistemological framework of Western medical science. It is this axiological framework that underpins the field of Malay medicine. From this premise, Malay traditional treatment demonstrates a distinct advantage in its incorporation of spiritual elements of Islam, such as Qurʾanic supplications (doa) and ritual chants (jampi). This highlights the central role of religion in the therapeutic approaches to sakit tuan, positioning faith not merely as an adjunct but as a constitutive element of healing.