EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Modern civilization built on secular humanism has shown its limitations in confronting the world’s deepest crises. Wars, genocide, and humanitarian tragedies continue to occur despite decades of global efforts to promote peace and human rights.
Speaking at the Grand Mosque of Kauman in Yogyakarta on Friday (5/6), Haedar Nashir argued that the world now needs an alternative civilizational model. He said Islam has the potential to offer that alternative.
A Crisis of Modern Civilization
Haedar noted that the devastation of the Second World War should have marked the end of large-scale conflict and atrocities. Yet armed conflicts, wars, and acts of genocide continue to unfold in various parts of the world.
He pointed to cases in which sovereign nations have been attacked by powerful states without compelling justification. He also criticized situations where individuals found guilty by international courts remain free and continue to cause suffering.
“These realities reflect the dark side of modern Western civilization,” he said. “I hope humanity can find a new path where no individual and no nation is deprived of its rights by others.”
Islam as an Alternative Civilization
According to Haedar, the weaknesses of contemporary civilization create an opportunity for Islam to contribute a different model of human progress.
As a sociologist, he believes Islam offers an authentic commitment to human dignity while maintaining a strong spiritual foundation.
He emphasized that the Islamic mission is inseparable from the principle of being a mercy to all creation.
“The Prophet was sent, and we follow his mission, to spread mercy throughout the world. That mercy transcends religion, ethnicity, and all other social divisions.”
For Haedar, Islam’s universal values provide a framework for building a more just and compassionate civilization.
A Legacy of Knowledge and Progress
Haedar also encouraged Muslims to reflect on Islamic history. He said Islamic civilization plays a major role in advancing science, knowledge, and technology during periods when other regions struggled intellectually.
Throughout its history, Islam fostered progress while remaining rooted in spiritual and moral values.
One of those foundational values is tawhid, or the belief in the oneness of God.
According to Haedar, Islamic civilization did not separate scientific advancement from faith. Instead, it integrated both dimensions.
“We not only place God as the ultimate source of power,” he mentioned. “We also allow that belief to illuminate human life.”
Progress Must Remain Connected to Faith
Haedar argued that humanity risks moral decline when progress becomes detached from religious and ethical values.
He cited the modern Western experience as an example. While acknowledging its remarkable achievements, he said contemporary secular humanism has increasingly revealed its shortcomings.
In his view, material progress alone cannot guarantee justice, peace, or human dignity.
For that reason, he stressed that tawhid should serve as an active force in shaping civilization rather than a passive belief.
The principle must inspire social responsibility, ethical conduct, and humanitarian concern.
“All forms of goodness should emerge from pure monotheistic values,” he said.
Haedar Nashir concluded that Islam’s contribution to global civilization lies not only in faith but also in its capacity to unite spiritual values with human advancement. He argued that this combination offers a promising foundation for a more just and sustainable future.
