RKUD 3030 METHODS OF DA’WAH

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CHAPTER: 13

The Plural Society of Malaysia Islam Hadhari Ethnic

Relation13

At a glance2

Introduction

The Plural Society of Malaysia

Islam Hadhari: Historical Background

Definition of Islam Hadhari

Ten Main Principles of Islam Hadhari based on Society

The Significance of the First Five Principles for the benefit of non-

Muslim Malaysians

The Main Objectives of Islam Hadhari

Is Moderation a Feature of Islam Hadhari?

Critics on Islam Hadhari

Conclusion

Introduction 3

Malaysia is made up of eleven states in peninsular (West) Malaysia and other two states of Sabah and Sarawak in Esat.

Malaysia attained independence from the British in 1957 and Singapore separated from the federation in 1965 creating the Malaysian state in its current form.

As one of the tiger economies, it is rapidly developing, planning to be fully developed by 2020.

Malaysia is a Muslim majority country and its constitution provides for Islam as the religion of the Federation. It protects the right of all Malaysians to practice their religion in peace and harmony.

The Plural Society of Malaysia4

Malaysia has a population of roughly 27 million people (Department of Statistics Malaysia 2008) and is home to a

multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic society.

Malay and other indigenous people, who are defined as bumiputera1, literally ‘princes of the earth’,

comprise 65.1% of the population.

The second major ethnic group are people of Chinese origin, who comprise 26%, followed by people of

Indian origin, making up 7.7% (Department of Statistics Malaysia 2000, 2004).

Cont…5

There are a number of Indonesians, Thai, Filipinos, Eurasians and other ethnic groups.

Each ethnic group has brought with it its own language and culture, and adherence to different

religions.

Ethnic groups are also divided along religious lines with most Malays being Muslim, most

Indians being Hindus and the Chinese mainly Buddhists with a rapidly increasing Christian

minority.

Cont…6

The rising Christianity can be brought about Chinese, Indians and other minority communities

converting to this religion.

Christianity has been overtaken Hinduism as the third- largest religion professed by the peoples of

Malaysia (Saw Swee-Hock. Malaysia: Recent Trends & Challenge, 2006. Pp.19-20)

Islam Hadhari : Historical Background

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The slogan of “Islam Hadhari” (civilization or progressive Islam) was publicized nation-wide for the first time on the Malaysian political sphere in 2004 by Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (then & 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia (Kamal Hassan, 2011).

It seemed to create an alternative model to Western modernity and multiculturalism. It was proclaimed as progressive and forward-looking.

Since then the expression has been widely propagated by government leaders and agencies, but the use of the word “hadahri” as an adjective to the word “Islam” has caused some confusion and controversy among Muslims in this country.

Cont…8

It was hailed as a novel form of Malaysian Islamic multiculturalism by some as a new version of Islam and ignored by many as a government especially UMNO’s version of Islam.

It is explained in official statements that the “Islam Hadhari” is not a name of a “new Islam” or an attempt to introduce a new religion or Mazhab as alleged by its opponent. (Kamal Hassan, 2011)

Islam Hadhari theoretically places within Malaysian contexts to show what possibilities it generated and how it can be best appraised today .

It is a broad philosophy designed after 9/11 environment for Muslim nations counter to anti-extremist propaganda by the West.

Definition of Islam Hadhari9

The definition of Islam Hadhari given by the Development of Malaysia’s Islamic Progress (JAKIM) as: “A comprehensive development of man, society and Malaysian nation based on the perspective of Islamic Civilization”. (Kamal Hassan, 2011)

According to Badawi, Islam Hadhari, or civilization and comprehensive Islam, is not an inclusive concept as it also emphasizes the importance of progress—with an Islamic perspective—in the economic, social, and political fields.

Cont…10

Islam Hadhari emphasizes the need for balanced development, which covers both physical and spiritual development. Hence, Badawi proposes a holistic development approach for Malaysia.

This means a shift in development approach from a “secular paradigm” to a “Tawheed paradigm,” which emphasizes developing a thinking society, social harmony, and economic progress.

Cont…11

To Badawi, it is important for the Malay people to understand that the “ Islam Hadhari” approach was in line with what Islamic legal scholars in the past described as the “ higher objectives of Divine Law” (Maqasid al-Shariah). (Kamal Hassan, 2011)

Islam Hadhari is an effort to bring the Ummah (nation) back to basics, back to the fundamentals, as prescribed in the Qur’an and the Hadith, that form the foundation of Islamic civilization. If Islam Hadhari is interpreted sincerely and understood clearly, it will not cause Muslims to deviate from the true path.

Ten Main Principles of Islam Hadhari based on Society

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1. Faith and piety in Allah Most Gracious2. A just and trustworthy government 3. A free and independent people 4. Mastery of knowledge 5. Balanced and comprehensive economic development 6. A good quality of life 7. Protection of the rights of minority groups and

women 8. Cultural and moral integrity 9. Protection of the environment 10. Strong defenses

The Significance of the First Five Principles

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The significance of the First Five Principles for the benefit of non-Muslim Malaysians who would like to better understand what those principles mean.

1. Faith and piety in Allah Most Gracious 2. A just and trustworthy government 3. A free and independent people 4. Mastery of knowledge 5. Balanced and comprehensive economic

development

Cont…14

Therefore, it is important for the non-Muslim to

understand the concept of Islam Hadhari. If they

failed to do, Muslim should publicize the principles

of Islam Hadhari as it is universal and relevant not

only for Muslim but also for non-Muslim as well.

It is claimed that this approach, emphasizing good

governance, will benefit Muslim and non-Muslim

society in Malaysia.

Cont…

The idea of Islam Hadhari strongly supports the notion of

Islamic modernist model suggested by focusing on

alignment between Islam, modernity and local culture.

With an increasing degree of internationalization in

socio-culture, religious and economics context, this

approach may improve the image of Islam in the eyes of

not only Malaysian society but also society more

generally. (Jawad Sayed & Mustafa (Ed.), 2010)

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The main objectives of Islam Hadhari

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1. Restoring moderation and embracing the mainstream, which will help strengthen both the people and the state.

2. Valuing good character, which should be central to the society in order to help it become a role model for both the Ummah and humanity as a whole.

3. Adopting seriousness and accountability in dealing with society's main undertakings.

4. Building all social relations upon trust and good morals.

Cont…17

5. Respecting law and order.

6. Cherishing unity, cooperation, and solidarity.

7. Implementing genuine Islamic teachings and realizing the objectives of the Shari’ah (Islamic law)

8. Empowering the state to be in a leading position, not feeble and weak-willed.

Is Moderation a Feature of Islam Hadhari?

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Prof. Dr. Abdullah Md. Zin, says, “Wasatiyyah, or a balanced life, would be a more precise way to describe Islam Hadhari. Moderation, on the other hand, could imply caution to the point of neglecting traditions.

Islamic scholars tend to shy away from using the word “moderate” because it can be manipulated and exploited by external influences. In the same way, scholars are cautious about the word “modern” which they associate with Western civilization.

The word “progressive” could also be used to define Islam Hadhari but Wasatiyyah is preferable.”

Criticism on Islam Hadhari19

There are some criticism towards the concept of Islam Hadhari from the both Muslim and non-Muslim critics.

1. Islam Hadhari is considered to be politically levelheaded strategy to invalidate the attraction of PAS Islam by Islamizing UMNO especially among the Malay peasants and young professionals .

2. The word “Islam Hadhari” itself created a confusion since the people thought that it might lead to another new divergence, or a new sect created by UMNO. (Mohd Sani, 2011)

Cont…20

3. The content of Islam Hadhari seems to be heavy on rhetoric and light on meaning. (Chong, 2006)

4. It is argued that Islam Hadhari is critically unexplained and unelaborated. It remains indirectly underdeveloped and intellectually ruin regardless of the great official investment in seminars, prime ministerial lectures worldwide and ensuing books on the subject. (Kessler, 2008)

5. The concept of Islam Hadhari basically a repacking of old ideas especially from Mahathir’s “Penerepan Nilai-nilai Islam” (Inculcation of Islamic Values) and Anwar’s “Masyarakat Madani” (Civil Society). (Kamila, 2006)

Cont…21

6. Islam Hadhari is not a proper concept, even though it has developed its own good values and principles to the society but many Malaysia are confused and wrangle with the concept.

7. To remove the confusion, the word “Islam” should change to the others word like “Pemikiran” Hadhari (Hadhari Thought) or “Gerakan” Hadhari (Hadhari Movement), otherwise, the word “Islam” can create misunderstanding.

8. As a result, Islam Hadhari can not be applied when the concept and principles are not understood by the people. It is like the brand with no product. (Personal opinion of the former Mufti of Perlis)

Conclusion 22

The criticism on the theory of Islam Hadhari is also correlated to the political agenda since some Malaysian identify Islam Hadhari is to Islamize UMNO and their peasants.

The critics among Muslims and non-Muslims argue that the expression of Islam Hadhari is uncalled because it was never been used in Islamic religious tradition or literature.

Cont…23

However, some Muslim scholars and intellectuals, who are non-partisans, believe that the platform of “Islam Hadhari or civilisational approach” has a very wide coverage and implications. It includes both the spiritual and the material dimensions of life, different political or religious orientations.

To Abdullah Badawi, the mentor of the concept, Islam Hadhari is not a new intellectual discourse, but it corresponds to the thoughts of several world famous Islamic thinker like Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Muhammad Ammarah and Muhammad al-Ghazali.

Cont…

Finally, Islam Hadhari or “Civilized Islam” viewed

as a popular civilizatonal approach to life

promoting Da'wah or ‘the call’ to Islam, and based

on 10 principles for building an organic society –

particularly in the sense of a modern, multi-ethnic

and multi-faith society.

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