Moderate Islam :Ummatun Wasatan
- Shazia Fakhr and Athar Husain, CORD
Ummatun Wasatan (Quran2:143 means middle community, reference to messenger’s Ummah as a balanced community) mentioned in the middle of the Surah Baqrah best can be described as Quran’s emphasis on moderation.
This ayat mentioning “Ummatun Wasatan” is in the direct middle of Surah Baqarah (143 is half of 286)
It talks of emphasis on balanced nation, reference to Islam, between knowledge and action, understanding the faith and practice, concern of the mind and Zikr, Tafakkur (Rememberance of Allah) and Tadabbur (Thought of Allah).
Need for moderation should be understood as what it means to be Muslim, so you can show the world the light of guidance.
Moderate islam Messenger will be made to testify against his own people as referred in Quran where, Ansaar had loyalties to Al-Aqsa (when Ka’ba was declared qiblah by Allah SWT) and the Muhajireen had loyalty to the Ka’ba,
so at first the loyalties of the Muhajireen are tested and then the loyalties of the Ansaar, this test of loyalty is a huge deal no doubt except those whom Allah guides.
We need to remember our religion has very deep foundations on a spiritual level, so don’t just get caught up in outward and empty rituals. Allah SWT has given us this honour of being “Ummatun Wasatan” and we should be humble and modest to take this honour and by practice we prove our moderation rather boasting it.
*Below is the transliteration of Quran 2:143 – and it is thus that, “We appointed you to be the community of the middle (Ummatun Wasatan) way so that you might be witnesses to all mankind and the Messenger might be a witness to you”
We appointed the direction which you formerly observed so that, we might distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn on their heels. For it was indeed burdensome except for those whom Allah guided. And Allah will never leave your faith to waste.
Allah is full of gentleness and mercy to mankind.
Writers : Shazia Fakhr and Athar Husain, CORD
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