This gallery showcases works of art such as calligraphy of the names of Allah (SWT), collections of the famed Malay weapon known as keris, and Malay manuscripts, symbolic of the wisdom, courage and strength of the community. The keris was an important weapon of defence and assault in the rebellion against the coloniser. This weapon was used by figures such as Datuk Bahaman, Tok Gajah, Mat Kilau, Pawang Nong and others in defending the homeland and the sanctity of Islam. While the keris was used as a physical weapon, the manuscript was complementary to the spiritual and intellectual needs of a serving human being. Islam made a significant contribution to the development of science in Malay civilisation, giving birth to Malay-Islamic manuscripts in various branches of science such as interpretation, theology, jurisprudence, medicine and weaponry, especially the keris. All this leads to perfection, balance and the nature of servitude which eventually returns to the greatness and power of Allah (SWT) as encapsulated in the Asmaul Husna.
Servitude to Allah (SWT), feeling the presence of Allah (SWT) in every movement, with every action puts a person in the state of constant awareness of the Almighty, in the state of piety and faith. Slaves are the lowest class in the hierarchical structure of society. These groups cannot act on their own volition because they are governed by rules and orders determined by their owners. However, the advent of Islam changed the concept of slavery in totality – from degrading human slavery to respectable and humble servitude to Allah (SWT). A sense of servitude must be present in the heart of every human being. Among the natural qualities of a servant are wanting and inadequacy, ignorance, weakness, guilt and contempt. The aspiration and need to rise above the natural self, motivates man to place reliance on the Almighty. To have hope in the Most Perfect evokes the sense of courage, nobility and strength in the “servant” of Allah (SWT).