Editing Silat Melayu (section)

===Islamic era===
[[File:Hang Tuah, Muzium Negara - cropped.jpg|thumb|right|A bronze mural of the legendary [[Laksamana]] [[Hang Tuah]] exhibited at the [[National Museum (Malaysia)|National Museum]], [[Kuala Lumpur]]. He was a renowned exponent of martial arts, recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of Silat.]]
The Malay martial arts reached its historical peak with the rise of Islam during the 15th century under the [[Melaka Sultanate]].<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|pp=31–34}}</ref> The era is known for the infusions of Islamic philosophy and elements of [[sufism]], or Islamic mysticism, in silat. Literary texts mentioned some notable sufis like Makhdum Sadar Jahan who was a teacher for Sultan [[Ahmad Shah of Malacca|Ahmad Shah]],<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=30}}</ref> as well as Sheikh Mansur who taught [[Hang Tuah]] the knowledge of ''tasawuf''.<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=35}}</ref> The era also saw the introduction of [[Baju Melayu]]<ref>{{harvnb|Siti Zainon Ismail|2009|p=167&293}}</ref> that became the common uniform of silat practitioners until today.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|p=122}}</ref>

The Melakan era that lasted until the early 16th century is also a popular setting for the stories and legends in classical Malay literature. Numerous exploits of warriors  are recounted in famous literary texts like  the ''[[Malay Annals]]'' and ''[[Hikayat Hang Tuah]]''.  In the ''[[Malay Annals]]'', the martial prowess of the Malay rulers and nobility is dramatically recounted in many colourful vignettes, for example, that of Sultan [[Alauddin Riayat Shah of Malacca|Alauddin]] personally apprehending thieves in flight. These legends are important because they establish the principle of the divine rule of kings, kings who are said to be the shadow of god on earth, and because they firmly tie divine right to the war machine, silat.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|pp=32}}</ref> The ''Hikayat Hang Tuah'' narrates the life of the legendary [[Laksamana]] [[Hang Tuah]], a renowned formidable exponent of martial arts, whose exploits are still recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of silat.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|p=34}}</ref> His [[duel]] with one of his companions, [[Hang Jebat]] is the famous depiction of a silat duel in literature and art, and has also become the most controversial subject in Malay culture, concerning on the questions of unconditional loyalty and justice. In early literature, the Malay martial arts were generally known as ''ilmu perang'' ('military knowledge'), ''ilmu hulubalang'' ('knowledge of [[Hulubalang]]'), ''ilmu prajurit'' ('knowledge of soldiers') in literature.<ref name="Anuar Abd Wahab 2008 15"/>

Foreign influences, like in pre-Islamic era Malay Peninsula, plays important role in shaping various cultural aspects in Melakan society. The Malay Annals recorded an enclave of [[Chams]] among many foreign enclaves in the city of Melaka.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/> The Chams who arrived after the sack of [[Champa]]’s capital [[Vijaya (Champa)|Vijaya]] in 1471,<ref name="Thurgood 1999 22">{{harvnb|Thurgood|1999|p=22}}</ref> were said to be instrumental in the development of martial arts in Melakan era.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 22"/> They were known to have been held in high esteem by the Malay kings for their knowledge in martial arts and for being highly skilled in the [[art of war]].<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/> Since it was common back then for prominent fighters to be elevated to head war troops and received ranks or bestowals from the [[raja]], Chams also rose in ranks, filling important positions within the sultanate. During the reign of Sultan [[Mansur Shah of Malacca|Mansur Shah]], a Cham prince named Indera Brama was appointed as a senior minister in Melakan court, an indication of their importance.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/><ref name="Thurgood 1999 22"/>

From the 15th century onwards, [[Malayisation]] spread many Malay traditions including language, literature, martial arts, and other cultural values throughout [[Maritime Southeast Asia]]. Historical accounts note close relationship between Melaka and Brunei Sultanates, leading to the spread of Silat through the region from as early as the 15th century. Brunei's national epic poem, the ''Syair Awang Semaun'', recounts the legend of a strong and brave warrior Awang Semaun who contributed extensively to the development of Brunei, and who is also said to be the younger brother of Awang Alak Betatar or [[Muhammad Shah of Brunei|Muhammad Shah]] (1405–1415), the first Sultan of Brunei. The fifth Sultan, [[Bolkiah]], who ruled between 1485 and 1524, excelled both in martial art and diplomacy.<ref>{{harvnb|Zapar|1989|p=22}}</ref> Under the seventh Sultan, [[Saiful Rijal]] (1575–1600), the sultanate was involved in the [[Castilian War]] against the [[Spanish Empire]] in 1578, and they would have used Silat and invulnerability practices.<ref>{{harvnb|Dayangku Hajah Rosemaria Pengiran Haji Halus|2009|p=44}}</ref> Thereafter, several patriots excelled as warriors, including [[Bendahara Sakam|Pengiran Bendahara Sakam]] under the reign of [[Abdul Hakkul Mubin|Sultan Abdul Mubin]] (1600–1673).<ref>{{harvnb|Zapar|1989|p=21}}</ref> As Brunei rose to the status of a maritime power at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, it built the unity of the kingdom through war and conquest, and managed to extend its control over  the coastal regions of modern-day [[Sarawak]] and [[Sabah]] and the Philippines Islands, which were under the Sultanate's control for more than two centuries.<ref>{{harvnb|De Vienne|2012|p=44}}</ref>