Islam Hadhari - Defining Islam Hadhari

Defining Islam Hadhari

The word Islam Hadhari consists of two words, Islam + Hadhari = Islam Hadhari, which concisely means 'Islamic Civilization' or Civilization of Islam. Further contemplation of the concept Islam Hadhari needs one to dichotomize the word Islam and Hadhari. Essentially, Islam means: (Ibrahim JCH, 2007)

Literal meanings:

• From the root word salam, means, peace, tranquility. (Quran, Surah Al-Anfal 8:61)
• From the root word salam, means, submission, surrender, obedience, acknowledgement, approval, and the acceptance of Allah. (Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah 2:208)

Technical meanings:

• Islam is a religion that stands for the complete submission and obedience to Allah in order to achieve real peace of body and mind. (Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 136; Mawdudi, 1992)
• Islam is a divine religion (Quran, Surah Ash-Shaff 61:9), Islam is a religion of all Prophets. (Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:84 & Al-Baqarah 2:136)

And essentially, the word Hadhari means: (Ibrahim JCH, 2007)

• From the word hadhari or madani means township, city, urban, also means modern, contemporary.
• From the word hadhaari or hadhariyah means civilization, that is civilization that follows the teaching of Islam.

Thus, in essence, the word Islam Hadhari concisely refers to Islamic Civilization or Civilization of Islam. Hence, Islamic Civilization demands its followers to be the best of example for mankind, to other Muslim, and also to non-Muslim.

‘You are the best of nation (people) evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.’ (Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:110)

The Arabic word حضارة ḥaḍāra (from which "Hadhari" is derived) refers to both "civilization" and "settled life" or "sedentariness" (i.e. not being nomadic), so that the term Islam Hadhari implicitly contrasts itself with the Islam of nomads or bedouin.