The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam: The Qur'anic Principle of Wasatiyyah (Religion and Global Politics)

This book is presented in two parts, consisting of a total of twenty-three chapters. Part One occupies seven chapters, which begin with a conceptual analysis of __wasaṭiyyah__, its meaning, definition, scope, and manifestations. This is followed by a review of the source evidence in the Qur’an and __hadith__, and then a round-up of modern opinion on __wasaṭiyyah__. The hallmarks of __wasaṭiyyah__ and those of extremism, identification of __wasaṭiyyah__, its manifestations, and institutional developments on __wasaṭiyyah__ are also discussed under Part One. Part Two looks into the various manifestations of wasaÏiyyah in the context, for instance, of religiosity, moderation and justice, environmental degradation, and financial crises the world has experienced in recent years. Other chapters that follow address subjects such as moderation in jihÉd, the moderating role of disagreement (ikhtilÉf), how wasaÏiyyah can be manifested with regard to women’s rights, the moderating influence of Sufism, wasaÏiyyah and globalization, and moderation in personal character and lifestyle. Two other chapters that appear toward the end bear the titles respectively of “Islam Between Antiquity and the Modern World” and “Reconciling the Concerns of Continuity and Change.” The former looks at Islam’s historical profile, how it played out its role of moderation in its relations with the outside world, whereas the latter looks into the ways Islam can moderate itself from within through the instrumentalities, for instance, of __tajdid__ and __islah__ (renewal and reform), respectively. In almost every chapter, the book explores Islamic principles and doctrines on a number of selected themes that seek to contextualize Islamic teachings with contemporary realities through the lenses of __wasaṭiyyah__. Part One thus focuses on a conceptual analysis of __wasaṭiyyah__ and its understanding from a perusal of the Islamic text and doctrine, whereas Part Two presents a selected cluster of themes related to __wasaṭiyyah__ and their application to contemporary issues. In The Middle Path Of Moderation In Islam, Leading Islamic Law Expert Mohammad Hashim Kamali Examines The Concept Of Wasatiyyah, Or Moderation, Arguing That Scholars, Religious Communities, And Policy Circles Alike Must Have Access To This Governing Principle That Drives The Silent Majority Of Muslims, Rather Than Focusing On The Extremist Fringe. Kamali Explores Wasatiyyah In Both Historical/conceptual Terms And In Contemporary/practical Terms. Tracing The Definition And Scope Of The Concept From The Foundational Sources Of Islam, The Qu'ran And Hadith, He Demonstrates That Wasatiyyah Has A Long And Well-developed History In Islamic Law And Applies The Concept To Contemporary Issues Of Global Policy, Such As Justice, Women's Rights, Environmental And Financial Balance, And Globalization. Framing His Work As An Open Dialogue Against A Now-decades Long Formulation Of The Arguably Destructive Huntingtonian Clash Of Civilizations Thesis As Well As The Public Rhetoric Of Fear Of Muslim Extremism Since The Attacks Of September 11, 2001, Kamali Connects Historical Conceptions Of Wasatiyyah To The Themes Of State And International Law, Governance, And Cultural Maladies In The Muslim World And Beyond. Both A Descriptive And Prescriptive Meditation On A Key But Often Neglected Principle Of Islam, The Middle Path Of Moderation In Islam Provides Insight Into An Idea That Is In The Strategic Interest Of The West Both To Show And Practice For Themselves And To Recognize In Muslim Countries. Definition And Scope Of Wasatiyyah -- Review Of The Source Evidence -- A Round-up Of Modern Opinion -- Hallmarks Of Extremism -- Manifestations Of Wasatiyyah -- Identification Of Wasatiyyah -- Institutional Developments -- Thematic Perspectives -- Moderation And Justice -- Moderation In Religiosity -- The Moderating Role Of Ikhtilaf (reasoned Disagreement) -- Between Spirituality And Legalism: The Moderating Influence Of Sufism -- Harm (darar) Must Be Eliminated -- Forbearance, Bringing Ease And Removing Hardship -- Environmental Imbalance -- Financial Imbalance, Extravagance And Waste -- Moderation In Jihad -- Character And Lifestyle -- Wasatiyyah And Women's Rights -- Wasatiyyah And Globalisation -- Islam Between Antiquity And The Modern World -- Continuity And Change: An Analysis Of Tajdid And Islah (renewal And Reform) In Islam. Mohammad Hashim Kamali ; Foreword By Tariq Ramadan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Winner of the I.R. Iran World Award for Book of the Year In The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam , leading Islamic law expert Mohammad Hashim Kamali examines the concept of wasatiyyah , or moderation, arguing that scholars, religious communities, and policy circles alike must have access to this governing principle that drives the silent majority of Muslims, rather than focusing on the extremist fringe. Kamali explores wasatiyyah in both historical/conceptual terms and in contemporary/practical terms. Tracing the definition and scope of the concept from the foundational sources of Islam, the Qu'ran and Hadith, he demonstrates that wasatiyyah has a long and well-developed history in Islamic law and applies the concept to contemporary issues of global policy, such as justice, women's rights, environmental and financial balance, and globalization. Framing his work as an open dialogue against a now-decades long formulation of the arguably destructive Huntingtonian "clash of civilizations" thesis as well as the public rhetoric of fear of Muslim extremism since the attacks of September 11, 2001, Kamali connects historical conceptions of wasatiyyah to the themes of state and international law, governance, and cultural maladies in the Muslim world and beyond. Both a descriptive and prescriptive meditation on a key but often neglected principle of Islam, The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam provides insight into an idea that is in the strategic interest of the West both to show and practice for themselves and to recognize in Muslim countries. Cover 1 Series 3 The Middle Path of Moderation in Islam 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Foreword 8 I. Introduction 16 Part One: Conceptual Analysis 22 II. Definition and Scope of Wasaṭiyyah 24 III. Review of the Source Evidence 31 IV. A Round-Up of Modern Opinion 44 V. Hallmarks and Types of Extremism 51 VI. Manifestations of Wasaṭiyyah 64 VII. Identification of Wasaṭiyyah 74 VIII. Institutional Developments 82 Part Two: Thematic Perspectives 96 IX. Moderation and Justice 98 X. Moderation and Religiosity 111 XI. The Moderating Role of Ikhtilāf (Reasoned Disagreement) 125 XII. Between Spirituality and Legalism: The Moderating Influence of Sufism 130 XIII. Harm (Ḍarar) Must Be Eliminated 138 XIV. Forbearance, Bringing Ease, and Removing Hardship (Taysīr, Rafc al-Ḥaraj, Samāḥah) 143 XV. Environmental Imbalance 152 XVI. Financial Imbalance, Extravagance, and Waste (Isrāf, Tabdhīr) 161 XVII. Moderation in Jihād 173 XVIII. Character and Lifestyle 182 XIX. Wasaṭiyyah and Women’s Rights 205 XX. Wasaṭiyyah and Globalization 218 XXI. Islam Between Antiquity and the Modern World 225 XXII. Continuity and Change in Islam: An Analysis of Tajdīd and Iṣlāh (Renewal and Reform) 234 XXIII. Conclusion and Recommendations 250 Notes 260 Glossary 298 Bibliography 302 Index of Qur’anic Verses and Hadith 316 Index 316 This study begins with a conceptual analysis of wasaṭiyyah, its meaning, definition, scope, and manifestations. This is followed by a review of the source evidence in the Qur'an and hadith, and then a round-up of modern opinion on wasaṭiyyah. The hallmarks of wasaṭiyyah and those of extremism, identification of wasaṭiyyah, its manifestations, and institutional developments on wasaṭiyyah are also discussed This book presents a detailed analysis of the Islamic principle of wasatiyyah, or moderation, exploring its meaning and scope in both the Qu'ran and Hadith and applying it to contemporary issues such as justice, women's rights, environmental and financial balance, and globalization.