al-ḥaḍar

Arabian peoples

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The term al-Hadhar refers to the settled peoples of Arabia, in contrast to the nomadic Bedouin tribes. Historically, there has been an antagonism between these two groups, though many tribes have both settled and nomadic branches. The settled peoples, or al-Hadhar, traditionally engaged in farming in the highlands or livelihoods at sea as sailors and traders.1

In pre-Islamic Arabia, the city of al-Hirah, located in modern-day Iraq, was a significant center for settled Arab culture. It served as the capital of the Lakhmids, Arab vassals of Sasanian Persia, and was a hub for diplomatic and military activities. Al-Hirah was home to Arabic-speaking Christians who influenced Arab thought and literature, and it is traditionally believed that the Arabic script was developed there. The city also played a role in religious life as the seat of a Nestorian bishopric.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Arabia
Tribal relations
…exists between the settled peoples, al-ḥaḍar, and the nomadic or pastoral tribes, known as Bedouin (al-bādiyyah), but many settled tribes also have nomadic branches. In Yemen, the fertile southwestern corner of Arabia containing more than one-third of its total population, the same antagonistic feelings exist between city dwellers and qabīlīs,…
Read More
…exists between the settled peoples, al-ḥaḍar, and the nomadic or pastoral tribes, known as Bedouin (al-bādiyyah), but many settled tribes also have nomadic branches. In Yemen, the fertile southwestern corner of Arabia containing more than one-third of its total population, the same antagonistic feelings exist between city dwellers and qabīlīs,…
Read More