Privacy from Islamic Perspective: Comparison Between the Traditional and Modern Malay House in Malaysia

The dwelling or housing is part of the basic needs of human life. In Islam, the name of a place as a residency house has its importance. Housing design has evolved dramatically and gradually because of mass manufacturing, technical improvement, and human thoughts, which has resulted in a new interpretation and meaning of privacy among humans. Three main issues were identified which are (1) lack of understanding of the meaning of privacy from the Islamic perspective, (2) indefinite determination of building elements and attributes affecting the privacy of a home, and (3) deficiency of privacy application from traditional to modern house context particularly the terraced house. This research aims to explore the notion of privacy from the Islamic perspective regarding the needs and implementation within the traditional and modern Malay home spatial layout established in Malaysia: traditional Malay houses and modern houses particularly the terraced house. The research is conducted through desk review involving in-depth review of literature and document analysis that correspond to an observation and cross-case synthesis of the two layouts. The findings revealed that Malays prefer to regulate their privacy through flexible attributes anchored in behavioural mechanism of religious and cultural standards, hence providing a certain degree of visual privacy, which is gradually absent in the modern housing context. In conclusion, these attributes may help to revolutionise modern terraced housing layouts in compliance with privacy values that are deemed necessary to negate neighbourhood discomfort and enhance well-being amongst the residents.